Ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, treatment and return to work: a conceptual framework for intervention programs.

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most recurrent diseases among manual workers worldwide. The objective of this study was to analyze primary results of a systematic review on ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, treatment, and return to work in blue-collar workers to form a new conceptual framework applicable to intervention programs in this area. This study was based on the available scientific evidence we identified. Descriptive data and their trending topics areas were used to form the conceptual framework. The trend shows that working conditions can be represented as a three-axis scheme with a multidimensional conceptual framework considering ergonomic risks, the treatment of affected workers and the determinants related to working conditions. These results may help future research in the field of ergonomics as well as emerging topics focused on intervention programs.

Los trastornos musculoesqueléticos son una de las enfermedades más recurrentes entre los trabajadores que realizan operaciones manuales a nivel mundial. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los resultados primarios de una revisión sistemática sobre ergonomía, trastornos musculoesqueléticos, tratamiento y retorno al trabajo en trabajadores operativos para formar un nuevo marco conceptual aplicable a los programas de intervención en esta área. Este estudio se basó en la evidencia científica disponible identificada. Se utilizaron datos descriptivos y sus áreas de temas de tendencia para formar el marco conceptual. La tendencia muestra que las condiciones de trabajo pueden representarse como un esquema de tres ejes con un marco conceptual multidimensional que considera los riesgos ergonómicos, el tratamiento de los trabajadores afectados y los determinantes relacionados con las condiciones de trabajo. Estos resultados podrían ayudar a futuras investigaciones en el campo de la ergonomía, así como a temas emergentes centrados en programas de intervención.

Ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, treatment and return to work: a conceptual framework for intervention programs / Ergonomía, Trastornos Musculoesqueléticos, Tratamiento y Retorno al Trabajo – Marco Conceptual para programas de intervención

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most recurrent diseases among manual workers worldwide. The objective of this study was to analyze primary results of a systematic review on ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, treatment, and return to work in blue-collar work-ers to form a new conceptual framework applicable to intervention programs in this area. This study was based on the available scientific evidence we identified. Descriptive data and their trending topics areas were used to form the conceptual framework. The trend shows that working conditions can be represented as a three-axis scheme with a multidimensional conceptual framework considering ergonomic risks, the treatment of affected workers and the determinants related to working conditions. These results may help future research in the field of ergonomics as well as emerging topics focused on intervention programs.(AU)

Los trastornos musculoesqueléticos son una de las enfermedades más recurrentes entre los trabajadores que realizan operaciones manuales a nivel mundial. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los resultados primarios de una revisión sistemática sobre ergonomía, trastornos musculoesqueléticos, tratamiento y retorno al trabajo en trabajadores operativos para formar un nuevo marco conceptual aplicable a los programas de intervención en esta área. Este estudio se basó en la evidencia científica disponible identificada. Se utilizaron datos descriptivos y sus áreas de temas de tendencia para formar el marco conceptual. La tendencia muestra que las condiciones de trabajo pueden representarse como un esquema de tres ejes con un marco conceptual multidimensional que considera los riesgos ergonómicos, el tratamiento de los trabajadores afectados y los determinantes relacionados con las condiciones de trabajo. Estos resultados podrían ayudar a futuras investigaciones en el campo de la ergonomía, así como a temas emergentes centrados en programas de intervención.(AU)

Mapping the conceptual structure of ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, treatment and return to work in manual jobs: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders constitute one of the major health problems of workers exposed to manual work throughout the world. Nevertheless, there is no study that maps its conceptual structure based on a systematic methodology. OBJECTIVE: To identify the conceptual structure of ergonomics, MSDs, treatment and return to work in manual jobs in the last 12 years by applying a systematic co-word network analysis methodology which describes the replicability of the search filters and emphasizes the rigor that has to be followed in the creation of the network. METHODS: The search filter was customized for each bibliographic database, and followed the PRISMA 2020 flowchart for the screening process. For the creation of the network, the titles, abstracts, and keywords were used as the unit of analysis extracting the noun phrases of the first two units. In the normalization process, the terms of the search filter were deleted and their associated terms, and standardized the similar terms. Regarding the plotting of the network, Vosviewer was used applying the network settings based on content analysis. RESULTS: The co-word network shows three communities: Ergonomic assessment and workplace intervention tools, factors related to rehabilitation and return to work, and physical and mental overload management. For each community, there is a framework that explains the relationship within terms. CONCLUSION: This study is aligned with the replicability, robustness, and relevance recommendations in the implementation of rigorous scientometric studies. The occupational health community is encouraged to implement scientometric studies following a rigorous methodology and working in interdisciplinary team.