Growing knowledge about “what works” to prevent work injuries

In a recent systematic review of workplace injury and illness prevention programmes, computing-related injury reduction programmes represented 30% of the programmes contributing to evidence synthesis and six of the nine high quality studies.1 Conlon and colleagues’ paper (see page 311) adds to the evidence showing the importance of forearm supports in reducing musculoskeletal symptoms.2 Threats to validity (construct, internal, external and statistical conclusion)3 are well addressed in Conlon et al’s study. In particular, the study is a benchmark for the design and reporting of internal validity threats in a randomised controlled workplace intervention trial. This study, and the body of field-based intervention studies,4 provides the occupational safety and health research community with the opportunity to reflect on the quality of evidence to support the work of frontline health and safety professionals in the development of computing-related injury prevention programmes.

Conlon and fellow workers’ research contributes to the body of evidence on the role of forearm support in reducing upper extremity pain/discomfort. Other research, where a forearm support accessory was provided, showed …