Mapping interventions for the prevention and management of Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among
U U Nayak1, P Nayak1, B M George1
1Division of Anatomy, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Objectives:
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a major occupational health concern among Radiographers, with a pooled prevalence of up to 85 %, most commonly affecting the neck and lower back. Despite this high burden, limited evidences exist on interventions aimed at preventing or managing WRMSDs in this population. This scoping review aimed to identify, map, and synthesize existing evidence on such intervention and to propose a conceptual framework to guide future intervention development and implementation.
Key Findings:
The review followed the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O'malley, refined through the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines, and reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Seven electronic databases (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid) were searched from inception to July 2025. Studies involving Radiographers and describing interventions targeting WRMSD prevention or management were included. Out of 712 screened articles, four met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were small-scale, mixed-methods, conducted in the United States and Portugal. Interventions primarily targeted WRMSD risk factors through engineering controls, such as ergonomic equipment redesign and workspace optimization, and room layout improvement, often developed using participatory ergonomics or co-design approaches. None of the studies evaluated direct WRMSD outcomes, long-term implementation, or cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion:
Current evidence emphasizes engineering solutions but lacks comprehensive, multi-level intervention strategies or evaluations of their real-world impact.
Implication To Practice:
A conceptual framework integrating the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls with implementation science principles is proposed to guide the design, testing, and adoption of sustainable interventions for WRMSD prevention among Radiographers. Strengthening participatory design, long-term evaluation, and organizational integration may enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of WRMSD prevention initiatives.
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