Glykeria Skamagki

Objectives: To provide an updated systematic review of the effectiveness of workplace interventions for chronic musculoskeletal disorders, identify key intervention components and assess their impact on health and work-related outcomes. Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies published between 2018 and 2024. Grey literature sources were also consulted. Eligibility criteria: Randomised controlled trials and cluster-randomised trials evaluating workplace interventions targeting adults with chronic musculoskeletal disorders were included. Outcomes of interest included pain, functional outcomes, quality of life and work-related outcomes (eg, work ability, productivity, presenteeism and absenteeism). Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Due to heterogeneity, only a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: 23 studies involving 2456 participants were included and classified into physical exercise, ergonomic and multicomponent interventions. Physical exercise interventions consistently improved pain and functional outcomes. Digital delivery of exercise interventions demonstrated comparable effectiveness to face-to-face or workplace-based approaches. Multicomponent interventions, combining exercise with ergonomic strategies, demonstrated the most consistent benefits across outcomes. Evidence for work-related outcomes was limited and inconsistent, and quality of life was assessed in only a small number of studies. Conclusions: Workplace interventions, particularly multicomponent approaches combining exercise, ergonomics and education, can be effective in improving health outcomes in chronic musculoskeletal disorders. However, evidence on work-related outcomes remains limited and inconsistent. PROSPERO registration number: CRD420261289218.

Digital self-management plays a key role in musculoskeletal care, yet the quality and accessibility of online resources vary. This study used a co-production approach to evaluate digital resources for chronic musculoskeletal disorders, ensuring they reflected patient priorities and practical needs. A systematic search identified 91 digital resources, reviewed by a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group using a structured rating framework. They assessed visual appeal, adaptability, practicality, clarity, and interactivity. Individual evaluations and group discussions refined the rankings, while focus groups explored themes on usability, accessibility, and gaps in current resources. The top 50 resources offered exercise progressions, interactive tools, and adaptable content, while lower-rated ones relied on static information with little personalisation. Discussions highlighted the value of integrated platforms combining education, guided exercise, and symptom-tracking features. Gaps included limited psychological support and workplace-specific advice. High-quality resources were often harder to find than commercially optimised but lower-quality websites. These findings highlight several critical directions for future research and development. Firstly, improving the discoverability of high-quality self-management resources remains essential. Search engine optimisation techniques, the use of patient-friendly language, and clinician-led resource recommendations could significantly increase patient access and engagement. Secondly, there is a pressing need to better integrate mental health support into CMSD resources, reflecting the biopsychosocial nature of chronic pain. Lastly, tailored workplace adaptations-including pacing strategies, ergonomic advice, and communication tools-must be embedded within digital tools, particularly for supporting older employees. These priorities will ensure that digital self-management resources are not only clinically relevant, but also practical, inclusive, and widely accessible. Future development should focus on making evidence-based resources easier to find, integrating mental health support, and embedding workplace adaptations such as pacing, ergonomic advice, and communication tools. These priorities will help ensure digital self-management resources are clinically relevant, practical, and inclusive. Not applicable.

Background: Burnout, perfectionism, and moral injury are prevalent issues among healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists. The demanding nature of the profession, compounded by high workloads, emotional and physical exhaustion, and systemic challenges, has significant implications for the well-being and professional satisfaction of physiotherapists. This study aimed to explore these issues, by providing a qualitative exploration of UK physiotherapists’ lived experiences. Objectives: To explore the lived experiences of UK physiotherapists regarding burnout, perfectionism, and moral injury, and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the personal and professional impacts of these issues to inform the development of effective support systems and interventions. Methods: This qualitative exploratory study involved semi-structured interviews with 12 UK physiotherapists. Framework approach was used to identify key themes and patterns in the data, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by physiotherapists. Results: Four primary themes emerged: (1) Physiotherapy Under Pressure: Workload, Burnout, and Perfectionism, (2) Interpersonal Dynamics and Support Systems, (3) Professional Fulfilment and Identity, and (4) Work-Life Balance and Well-being. Physiotherapists reported high levels of burnout and exhaustion due to relentless workloads, exacerbated by and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Perfectionism further contributed to emotional exhaustion and feelings of inadequacy. Inconsistent management support, bureaucratic challenges, and a lack of career progression opportunities were significant stressors. Effective team dynamics and support systems were crucial in mitigating stress, yet many faced interpersonal challenges such as criticism and bullying. Achieving work-life balance was a persistent struggle, highlighting the need for organisational changes to support flexibility and well-being. Conclusion: Burnout, perfectionism, and moral injury significantly impact physiotherapists’ well-being and professional satisfaction. Addressing these issues requires systemic changes within healthcare organisations to provide robust support systems, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for professional development.

This metasynthesis contributes to an understanding of the experiences, perceptions, and attitudes of employees on managing chronic musculoskeletal disorders (CMSDs) at work. Many studies in this field are concerned with prevention or return-to-work (RTW) programmes. However, the purpose of this review was to synthesise evidence that only focuses on the employees’ management of their CMSDs at work. The SPIDER framework was used to structure the question “How do employees with CMSDs experience the management of their condition in the workplace”? The literature search focused on articles published between 2011 and 2021, and the search was conducted using the following databases: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO. The review identified nine articles that explored employees’ experiences of managing CMSDs at work. Thematic synthesis was used to create analytic themes which provided a more in-depth discussion of these experiences. The identified themes were: ‘employees actively seek ways to manage their conditions’, ‘influence of work environment on employees with CMSDs’ and ‘optimising the relationship between employees and managers. This metasynthesis suggests that the ability to negotiate workplace support and manage CMSDs at work is influenced by the cultural and social environment of the organisation. Effective communication, care and trust between the employee is needed. The review also illustrated the need for healthcare professionals to provide support to employees at work.

Integration is a unique attribute of Mixed Methods Research (MMR). However, some MMR studies, published in the field of physiotherapy and other allied health professions, have illustrated a lack of...

(1) Background: This mixed methods research (MMR) study explored older employees’ experiences of chronic musculoskeletal disorders (CMSDs) in relation to their employment, their perspectives on managing these conditions in the workplace and the strategies used to facilitate and maintain their roles and responsibilities. The services offered to them were also identified. (2) Methods: A mixed methods exploratory sequential design was implemented. In the first qualitative phase, 16 semi-structured interviews gathered in-depth information from older employees. The findings informed the development of an online questionnaire in the survey phase, which was administered to older employees (N = 107). Both sets of findings were then integrated using a narrative joint display. (3) Results: The phenomena of presenteeism and leaveism were important components of employees’ strategies for managing their condition. The integrated findings highlighted the roles of employers, managers and social support in encouraging disclosure and supporting the management of CMSDs. The results also emphasised how self-management and professional health services are crucial for sustaining employability. (4) Conclusions: Current challenges call for employers to identify effective ways to support the ageing workforce and invest in training opportunities for managers and collaborative opportunities with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. A flexible, empathetic and resourceful work environment is optimal for supporting sustained employability for an ageing workforce.

Background: The investigation sought to (1) establish the extent of injuries, (2) determine the odds of sustaining an injury, and (3) calculate the injury incidence rate in nonprofessional salsa dance.Methods: Salsa dancers completed an anonymous web-based survey containing 11 demographic background and 10 (1 y retrospective) injury history questions.Results: The response rate was 77%. The final sample of respondents included 303 women and 147 men, of which 22% and 14%, respectively, sustained ≥1 injury during salsa dance in the past year. The odds of injury was 2.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–3.50) times greater (P < .05) for women than for men. Age, body mass index, and salsa dance experience were also found to be significant (allPs < .05) predictors of injury. The injury incidence rate for women and men was 1.1 (95% CI, 0.9–1.4) and 0.5 (95% CI, 0.3–0.7) injuries per 1000 hours of exposure, respectively.Conclusions: This is the first study to have described salsa dancers in terms of their injury history profile. Results indicate that the likelihood of sustaining an injury during this physical activity is similar to that of ballroom, but lower than that of Spanish, aerobic, and Zumba®, dance.