Abstract
This issue of Workplace Health & Safety contains a Continuing Nursing Education Module on “The Effects of Workplace Physical Activity Programs in Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” 1.0 contact hour of continuing nursing education credit will be awarded by AAOHN upon successful completion of the posttest and evaluation.
A certificate will be awarded when the following requirements are met by the participant: (1) Participant logs on to the AAOHN LMS website at www.aaohn.org/education/online-learning-center and enrolls in the course ($10 members; $15 non-members); (2) The completed posttest and course evaluation are entered online at at http://www.aaohn.org by May 2018; (3) A score of 75% (6 correct answers) is achieved by the participant.
Upon completion of this lesson, the occupational health nurse will be able to:
Describe the systematic review and meta-analysis done to measure the effects of physical activity on MSD pain
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is an Approved Provider of continuing nursing education by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is additionally approved as a CNE provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing (#CEP9283).
Contact hours received for successful completion of the posttest and evaluation may be used for relicensure, certification, and re-certification.
WHP initiatives have demonstrated reduction in leading risk factors for chronic disease. Generally, insufficient research is available to support widespread use of WHP interventions. Although WHP initiatives have reduced risk factors for certain chronic diseases, disease prevention still remains an under-used intervention globally. WHP initiatives that target heart disease are the only ones that have demonstrated statistically significant benefit.
Have the same objectives for workers and employers Have different objectives for workers than for employers Generally have objectives for workers, but not employers Generally have objectives for employers, but not workers
Pain Physical activity Random Musculoskeletal
Had a control/comparison group Were opinion or theoretical articles Were written in English Evaluated physical activity initiatives at the worksite
1,675 1,345 26 12
Measures of neck and shoulder pain were significantly lower in intervention groups. Studies of low back pain showed significant evidence of less pain in intervention groups. Workplace physical activity programs showed no significant evidence of less general pain in intervention groups. Elbow, hand, and wrist pain was significantly less in groups that participated in physical activity, compared to the non-intervention groups.
Physical activity programs in the workplace should target office workers to prevent wrist and hand injuries. Occupational health nurses should make physical activity programs available in the workplace to reduce musculoskeletal pain among workers. Physical activity programs in the workplace are the only interventions needed to prevent musculoskeletal pain in workers. Physical activity programs in the workplace sound like a good idea, but have yet to show benefit to worker pain and overall health.
Provide more evidence of the impact of incentives on program participation Examine the impact of interventions that influence worker productivity Focus on strong evaluation designs, sufficient monitoring of results and detailed randomization procedures All of the above