Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of randomized trials

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the effects of workplace interventions aiming to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: systematic review that included randomized, individual or community trials, which investigated the effects of workplace interventions aiming to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, reported in articles published between 2015 and 2020 and indexed in the following databases: Lilacs, Medline/Pubmed, PEDro, and Web of Science. Studies were categorized according to the type of intervention and evaluated in terms of methodological quality. Results: of all 58 studies selected, 15 satisfactorily met the quality criteria, addressing different types of physical exercise and/or cognitive-behavioral approaches, applied alone or in combination. No study addressed organizational interventions. Despite the heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes, physical exercises performed in the workplace led to reduction in musculoskeletal pain, use of analgesics, and absence from work due to musculoskeletal disorders; however, combined with behavioral interventions, they did not show the expected results. The results with participatory ergonomics confirmed the critical role of workers in performing interventions in the workplace. Conclusion: despite the benefits observed, the studies reviewed did not produce consolidated evidence about the most effective interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among workers.