Efficacy of workplace interventions for shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Main Authors: Veronique Lowry (Author), Ariel Desjardins-Charbonneau (Author), Jean-Sébastien Roy (Author), Clermont E. Dionne (Author), Pierre Frémont (Author), Joy C. MacDermid (Author), François Desmeules (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Medical Journals Sweden, 2017-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1650-1977; 1651-2081; 10.2340/16501977-2236
• Keywords: exercise; ergonomics; intervention; shoulderpain; work; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol 49, Iss 7, Pp 529-542 (2017)

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of workplace-based interventions to prevent or treat shoulder pain. Data sources: A systematic review of 4 databases was performed up to January 2016. Study selection: Randomized controlled trials were included if the intervention under study was a workplace-based intervention performed to prevent or reduce shoulder pain and disability in workers. Data extraction: The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated and meta-analyses were conducted. Pooled mean differences and risk ratios were calculated. Data synthesis: Data from 4 studies on strengthening exercises performed in the workplace for workers with shoulder pain (n = 368) were pooled. A statistically significant reduction in pain intensity was observed compared with different control interventions (mean differences (scale out of 10) 1.31 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.86-1.76)). Pooled data from 5 studies on the efficacy of workstation modifications (n = 2,148) showed a statistically significant reduction in the prevalence of shoulder pain with a risk ratio of 1.88 (95% CI 1.20-2.96) compared with different control interventions. Conclusion: Low-grade evidence exists that a workplace exercise programme may reduce the intensity of shoulder pain, and that workstation modifications may reduce the prevalence of shoulder pain.