Do Workplace Ergonomic Interventions to Control Musculoskeletal Disorders Really Work?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of ergonomic field interventions to control work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This paper is an extension of the one written for the 1998 National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council steering committee to examine the scientific literature relevant to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Over 600 papers were read, and 98 were found that met the selection criteria. Eighty-four percent of all of the studies found some positive results, although the majority had mixed results. The most effective interventions were those that utilized multiple components. Only 31% of the studies used experimental or quasi-experimental designs. The implications for the conduct of ergonomic interventions and federal regulations are discussed.

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