Workplace-based prevention and management of knee pain: a systematic review
Author Information
Author(s): Skovlund Sebastian Venge MSc, Østergaard Mark Skovbye Eg MSc, Seeberg Karina GV MSc, Suetta Charlotte PhD, Aagaard Per PhD, Andersen Lars Louis PhD, Sundstrup Emil PhD
Primary Institution: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hypothesis
This systematic review explored the effectiveness of workplace-based interventions on knee pain among workers.
Conclusion
The current evidence-base pertaining to workplace-based prevention and management of knee pain is insufficient to guide effective preventive workplace practice or policy development.
Supporting Evidence
- 11 medium- and high-quality studies were included in the evidence synthesis.
- None of the included studies specifically aimed at reducing knee pain.
- A strong level of evidence suggested no benefit of workplace-based physical exercise/activity intervention on knee pain.
- Two medium-quality studies suggested that multifaceted interventions could be effective for knee pain.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well workplace programs help with knee pain, but found that they don't seem to work very well.
Methodology
A systematic review was conducted using a PICO-guided search for studies published from 2003 to January 2023, focusing on workplace-based interventions for knee pain.
Potential Biases
The studies included varied in quality, and many did not report potential biases or dropout rates.
Limitations
None of the included studies explicitly aimed at addressing knee pain, and many had short follow-up periods and inadequate reporting of statistical analyses.
Participant Demographics
The studies included workers from various occupations, with some focusing on physically demanding jobs and others on sedentary jobs.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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