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Stress and work‐related upper extremity disorders: Implications for prevention and management
Author(s) -
Pransky Glenn,
Robertson Michelle M.,
Moon Sam. D.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.10040
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , medicine , medline , intervention (counseling) , occupational stress , human factors and ergonomics , physical therapy , occupational medicine , occupational safety and health , poison control , clinical psychology , nursing , environmental health , pathology , political science , law
Background A causal link between stress and work‐related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities (WRUEDs) has been established, but there is less evidence for a beneficial effect of stress reduction interventions on WRUED symptoms and incidence. Methods Searches of Medline, Ergonomics Abstracts, and Psychlit from 1990 to 2001 identified studies that either targeted stress and measured WRUED outcomes, or described other interventions with both stress and WRUED outcomes. Results Workplace interventions, including discrete improvements in technology, work organization and ergonomics, and more comprehensive approaches can reduce levels of stress. In a few studies, these interventions have been associated with decreases in WRUED symptoms. Similar effects are noted in stress‐related interventions targeting individuals before WRUEDs have appeared, and at several stages of these conditions. Conclusions Health care providers can recognize stress–WRUED interactions through careful, directed inquiry. Both individual as well as workplace‐targeted interventions, delivered in the primary care setting or workplace, may be helpful. Future research priorities include prospective studies of well‐defined interventions, with ample measures of subject, intervention and workplace characteristics that can impact outcomes, and adequate follow‐up to determine sustained effects. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:443–455, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.