Workplace interventions for preventing work disability

Six randomized controlled trials involving 749 workers were included in this systematic review. In five studies the workers had musculoskeletal disorders and in one study they had mental health problems. The results of this review show that there is moderate-quality evidence to support the use of workplace interventions to reduce sickness absence among workers with musculoskeletal disorders when compared to usual care. However, workplace interventions were not effective to improve health outcomes among workers with musculoskeletal disorders. Considering all the types of work disability together, the results showed low-quality evidence that workplace interventions are more effective than usual care in reducing absence from work because of sickness. Unfortunately, no conclusions could be drawn regarding interventions for people with mental health problems and other health conditions due to a lack of studies. In conclusion, care providers could implement workplace interventions in guiding workers disabled with musculoskeletal disorders if the main goal is return to work.