Effectiveness of ergonomic interventions on work activity limitations in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the leading causes of work disability in the United States. Ergonomic interventions offer an individualized treatment approach, and when used in conjunction with pharmacological treatment interventions, may improve work outcomes and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with RA. OBJECTIVE: To identify the current body of evidence regarding the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions in reducing work activity limitations in adults with RA. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to identify articles of ergonomic interventions targeting working adults with RA. The CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist and Non-Pharmacological Treatment (NPT) Extension evaluated the reporting quality of each randomized controlled trial (RCT), and the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evaluated the quality of the evidence. RESULTS: Six studies were identified and reviewed for the quality of their reporting on evidence related to work activity limitations. Sixty-six percent of the items on the CONSORT checklist were fully reported by all studies and analysis through the GRADE framework demonstrated moderate confidence that the reported effects of ergonomic interventions on work activity limitations in the studies are accurate. This review revealed varied results for the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions on work activity limitations and at-work productivity. CONCLUSION: The results of this review indicate a need for further investigation. Future studies should focus on reviewing specific ergonomic interventions to determine the dosage needed to see results in reducing work activity limitations for working adults with RA.