Musculoskeletal disorders among truck drivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The job of truck driving exposes the drivers to various risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to unfavorable working conditions. Hence, this research was conducted to investigate the frequency of MSDs among individuals working as truck drivers.

The present research followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and its protocol was registered in international prospective register of systematic review (PROSPERO) under the code CRD42024507985. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SID, ISC, and Google Scholar were searched without time restrictions until February 7th, 2024 to identify relevant articles. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model, and heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the I² index. Additionally, STATA (version 14) was utilized for conducting data analysis.

In the initial search, 678 articles were identified. After removing duplicates and articles unrelated to the research objective and inclusion criteria, 15 articles were included in the meta-analysis, involving 2,662 truck drivers. The findings from the research show that 61.75% of truck drivers have musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) (95% CI: 46.98-76.52, I² = 96%, P < 0.001). Additionally, the prevalence of MSDs in various parts of the body was estimated as follows: shoulder (31.5%), neck (25.79%), lower back (23.46%), knee (22.26%), ankle (20.46%), wrist (20.25%), upper back (18.65%), elbow (11.91%), and hip (7.50%).

According to the study findings, the prevalence of MSDs among truck drivers is relatively high, and several risk factors contribute to these disorders. Therefore, to decrease the prevalence of MSDs among truck drivers, it is recommended to develop and implement essential training programs, ergonomic interventions, and regular evaluations of the work environment.