Persistent musculoskeletal pain and productive employment; a systematic review of interventions
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A systematic analysis of the literature was undertaken to determine which characteristics of workplace interventions are most effective in assisting people with persistent musculoskeletal pain (PMP) to remain productively employed. Databases of Medline, PsychINFO, CINAHL and Embase were searched using MeSH and other relevant terms. Studies that reported on interventions at, or involving, the workplace were included. Interventions were considered as either focused on the individual or multilevel. Outcome measures assessed included: job loss, productivity, sick leave, pain and cost benefit. A quality assessment was undertaken using GRADE criteria with development of impact statements to synthesise the results. Eighteen relevant articles (14 studies) were identified for inclusion in the review. No high-level evidence for workplace interventions to assist people with PMP were identified. Low numbers of participants and limited studies resulted in downgrading of evidence. However, individually focused interventions will probably reduce job loss and sick leave, but are unlikely to reduce pain. Multilevel focused interventions will probably result in decreased sick leave and provide some cost benefit. The evidence on productivity was limited and of poor quality. Further research is required because sustainable employment for individuals with PMP is important and understanding what works is necessary to ensure effective workplace interventions are developed.
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Employment is associated with both economical and psychological well-being for patients with chronic pain.
“Employment is associated with both economical and psychological well-being for patients with chronic pain.28–32”
From Does work have to be so painful? A review of the literature examining the effects of fibromyalgia on the working experience from the patient perspective (2020) · cites this paper as [30]
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Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Oakman J, Kinsman N, Keegel T, Briggs A. Persistent musculoskeletal pain and productive employment: A systematic review of interventions., Melbourne: Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria 2015.
- Speerin R, Slater H, Li L et al. Moving from evidence to practice: Models of care for the prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2014;28:479-515.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Mukhida, K., Carroll, W., & Arseneault, R. (2020) · Canadian Journal of Pain · doi:10.1080/24740527.2020.1820858 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
- Authors
- Oakman, J., Keegel, T., Kinsman, N., & Briggs, A. M.
- Affiliations
- La Trobe University (AU)
- Curtin University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Oakman, Jodi
- Venue
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2016-01-06
- Volume
- 73
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 206-214
- ISSN
- 0007-1072 (ISSN-L)
- 1351-0711
- 1470-7926
- OpenAlex
- W2226160317
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3
- FWCI
- 0.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Workplace Health and Well-being
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Medical Practices and Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- chronic musculoskeletal pain, workplace interventions, productive employment, job retention, sick leave, labor productivity, individual interventions, multilevel interventions, cost-benefit analysis, pain intensity
- MeSH terms
- Cost-Benefit Analysis, Employment, Humans, Occupational Health, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Workplace, Sick Leave, Musculoskeletal Pain
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