Occupational exposures and complaints of neck, shoulder, arm, or hand
A systematic review
Introduction
This systematic review is a sequel to the report “Occupational exposures and neck and upper extremity disorder” published by SBU in 2012. The term complaint is used as a general description of all symptoms in a region and comprises pain, discomfort, and specific diseases.
Conclusions
This systematic literature review has uncovered a substantial body of evidence that supports an increased risk of complaints of neck, shoulder, arm, or hand are associated with a variety of occupational exposures. Conclusions are not formulated for the results evaluated as having a very low certainty of evidence. No results were evaluated as having a high certainty of evidence. The review evaluates longitudinal studies on the association between exposures in the workplace and complaints but cannot give a definite answer to whether occupational exposure is the only contributing factor to these complaints.
People with the following occupational exposures more often develop complaints of neck or neck/shoulders than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure to the same degree:
- working with the neck bent forwards or backwards (moderate certainty)
- working with arms elevated (low certainty)
- working with repetitive arm movements (low certainty)
- experiencing high quantitative demands (low certainty)
- experiencing an imbalance between efforts and rewards (low certainty)
People with the following occupational exposures more often develop complaints of shoulders or impingement than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure to the same degree:
- doing heavy lifting and forceful work with neck and/or shoulders (moderate certainty)
- working with arms elevated (moderate certainty)
- working with repetitive arm movements (moderate certainty for shoulder complaints and low certainty for impingement)
People with the following occupational exposures more often develop complaints of arms and/or forearms than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure to the same degree:
- doing heavy lifting and forceful work with neck and/or shoulders (moderate certainty)
- doing forceful work with wrist and/or hand (low certainty)
- working with repetitive arm movements (low certainty)
People exposed to forceful work with neck and/or shoulders more often develop ulnar nerve entrapment than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure to the same degree.
People with the following occupational exposures more often develop complaints of wrists and/or hands than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure to the same degree:
- doing forceful work with wrists and/or hands (moderate certainty)
- doing forceful work combined with repetitive movements with hands (moderate certainty)
- working with wrists in a bent or twisted position (low certainty)
- working with repetitive wrist and/or hand movements (low certainty)
- experiencing high job strain, that is a situation where one experiences high job demands combined with low control or decision latitude at work (low certainty)
People with the following occupational exposures more often develop carpal tunnel syndrome than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure to the same degree:
- doing forceful work with wrist and/or hand (moderate certainty)
- doing forceful work combined with repetitive movements with hands (moderate certainty)
Results regarding differences between men and women were inconclusive, so this report cannot conclude if women and men with similar occupational exposures develop complaints of neck, shoulders, arms, or hands to a different extent.
Background and Aim
The objective of this systematic review is to assess the scientific evidence describing the influence of occupational exposures on the development of complaints in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands. A wide range of occupational exposures were investigated, for example, physical workload, and psychosocial and organisational factors.
Review questions
- Is there an association between exposures in the workplace and complaints of neck, shoulders, arms, or hands?
- To what extent do these associations differ between women and men?
Inclusion criteria
The inclusion criteria were structured according to PEOS (Population, Exposure, Outcome, and Study design).
PEO
Population: Workers in various occupations.
Exposure: Exposures in the workplace. Exposures only assessed by job title, and vibration exposures were excluded.
Outcome: Complaints of neck, shoulders, arms, or hands. Indirect assessments of complaints, such as sick leave, were excluded.
Study design: Prospective and retrospective cohort studies and case-control studies.
Language: English, Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish.
Search period: From 2010 to 2021. Final search august, 2021.
Databases searched: Embase via Elsevier, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycInfo via EBSCO, and Scopus via Elsevier.
Client/patient involvement: No
Method
A systematic review was undertaken following the PRISMA statement and standard methods used by SBU adapted to the context of occupational exposures. Studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were assessed for risk of bias by two experts independently, using pre-set protocols. After conducting independent assessments, the two experts had to agree on a mutual relevance and risk of bias classification. Only studies with low or moderate risk of bias were included in the assessment. The certainty of evidence was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system.
Results
A total of 19 451 abstracts were identified by the literature search (see Flow chart), 908 were read in full-text and 133 studies were eligible. Sixtyfive longitudinal or case-control studies were considered to have a low or moderate risk of bias and were included in the analyses.
Tables below. Summary of findings for the association between occupational exposure and complaints of neck, shoulders, arms, or hands. The results are based on longitudinal and case-controls studies.
⊕◯◯◯ = Insufficient scientific evidence; ⊕⊕◯◯ = Limited scientific evidence | ||||
Occupational exposure | Number of studies Number of participants total (n) | Location of complaints | GRADE | Interpretation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Force (push, pull, lift, or exert a force) | ||||
with neck and/or shoulders | 7 studies n=4677 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
with wrist and/or hand | 1 study n=1324 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Posture | ||||
Neck posture | 5 studies n=47 918 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Trunk posture | 3 studies n=40 557 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Upper arm posture | 8 studies n=13 347 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Sitting | 2 studies n=2135 |
Neck or neck/ shoulders |
⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Movements | ||||
Repetitive arm movements | 4 studies n=47 225 |
Neck or neck/ shoulders |
⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Repetitive wrist and/or hand movements | 2 studies n=1642 |
Neck or neck/ shoulders |
⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Combination of physical exposures | ||||
Force and trunk posture | 1 study n=317 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Akward lifting | 1 study n=6745 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Force and neck/shoulder posture | 1 study n=91 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work demands | ||||
Quantitative demands | 10 studies n=17 788 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Qualitative demands | 3 studies n=3990 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job strain | 3 studies n=759 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Effort-reward imbalance | 3 studies n=3754 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Effort level | 2 studies n=1489 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job insecurity | 1 study n=245 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job stress | 1 study n=25 806 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Working with temporary workers | 1 study n=1510 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Role conflict | 2 studies n=9161 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Work pace | 1 study n=1510 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work resources | ||||
Job control | 12 studies n=39 101 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Social support | 8 studies n=5455 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Predictability | 1 study n=2416 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Rewards | 2 studies n=1489 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Advancement opportunities | 4 studies n=5500 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Organisational factors | ||||
Shift work | 3 studies n=4512 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Overtime work | 1 study n=1324 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Scope of work | 2 studies n=1532 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Temporary employment | 1 study n=1510 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Accord system | 1 study n=245 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Destructive leader | 1 study n=951 |
Neck or neck/shouldersy | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Fair leadership | 3 studies n=10 076 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Social factors | ||||
Bullying | 1 study n=5277 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Other exposures | ||||
Visual environment | 1 study n=208 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Sensory demands | 1 study n=208 |
Neck or neck/shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
⊕◯◯◯ = Insufficient scientific evidence; ⊕⊕◯◯ = Limited scientific evidence; ⊕⊕⊕◯ = Moderately strong scientific evidence | ||||
Occupational exposure | Number of studies Number of participants total (n) | Location of complaints | GRADE | Interpretation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Force (push, pull, lift, or exert a force) | ||||
with neck and/or shoulders | 7 studies n=83 203 |
Shoulders | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
with neck and/or shoulders | 5 studies n=44 233 |
Impingement | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
with wrist and/or hand | 1 study n=167 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Posture | ||||
Trunk posture | 1 study n=317 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Upper arm posture | 12 studies n=87 676 |
Shoulders | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
Upper arm posture | 6 studies n=45 689 |
Impingement | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
Elbow and/or wrist posture | 1 study n=38 897 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Movements | ||||
Repetitive arm movements | 7 studies n=84 075 |
Shoulders | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
Repetitive arm movements | 5 studies n=44 739 |
Impingement | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Precise movements with arms | 1 study n=240 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Combination of physical exposures | ||||
Force and posture | 2 studies n=2103 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Force, posture, and repetitive movements | 2 studies n=42 798 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work demands | ||||
Quantitative demands | 6 studies n=40 279 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Quantitative demands | 3 studies n=38 134 |
Impingement | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Qualitative demands | 2 studies n=735 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job strain | 3 studies n=4533 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Effort-reward imbalance | 1 study n=106 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Effort level | 1 study n=1801 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Obstacles and interruptions | 1 study n=1801 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job insecurity | 1 study n=1801 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Working with temporary workers | 1 study n=1655 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Work pace | 1 study n=1655 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work resources | ||||
Job control | 8 studies n=42 713 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job control | 3 studies n=38 134 |
Impingement | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Social support | 7 studies n=47 306 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Social support | 3 studies n=43 283 |
Impingement | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Predictability | 1 study n=1655 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Advancement opportunities | 2 studies n=6880 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Organisational factors | ||||
Shift work | 2 studies n=3111 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Overtime work | 2 studies n=3111 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Security climate | 1 study n=247 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Temporary employment | 2 studies n=3111 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Other exposures | ||||
Heat | 1 study n=1655 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Visually demanding work | 1 study n=1655 |
Shoulders | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
HAL TLV = Hand Activity Level – Threshold Limit Value ⊕◯◯◯ = Insufficient scientific evidence; ⊕⊕◯◯ = Limited scientific evidence; ⊕⊕⊕◯ = Moderately strong scientific evidence |
||||
Occupational exposure | Number of studies Number of participants total (n) | Location of complaints | GRADE | Interpretation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Force (push, pull, lift, or exert a force) | ||||
with neck and/or shoulders | 5 studies n=273 806 |
Arms | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
with neck and/or shoulders | 3 studies n=233 744 |
Ulnar nerve entrapment | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
with wrist and/or hand | 4 studies n=231 494 |
Arms | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
with wrist and/or hand | 3 studies n=1805 |
Epicondylalgia | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Posture | ||||
Trunk posture | 1 study n=699 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Upper arm posture | 1 study n=3833 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Elbow and wrist posture | 5 studies n=270 388 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Movements | ||||
Arm movements | 1 study n=229 689 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Repetitive arm movements | 3 studie n=272 252 |
Arms | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Wrist and/or hand movements | 4 studies n=231 414 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Wrist and/or hand movements | 3 studies n=1725 |
Epicondylalgia | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Repetitive wrist and/or hand movements | 4 studies n=231 127 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Combination of physical exposures | ||||
Force and posture | 1 study n=611 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Strain Index | 2 studies n=1026 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Grip score | 1 study n=229 689 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
HAL TLV | 1 study n=495 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work demands | ||||
Quantitative demands | 1 study n=531 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job insecurity | 1 study n=531 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job stress | 1 study n=531 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Work pace | 1 study n=531 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work resources | ||||
Job control | 1 study n=531 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Social support | 3 studies n=1725 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Social support | 3 studies n=1725 |
Epicondylalgia | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Other exposures | ||||
Heat | 1 study n=3833 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Cold | 1 study n=3833 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Temperature changes | 1 study n=3833 |
Arms | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
HAL TLV = Hand Activity Level – Threshold Limit Value ⊕◯◯◯ = Insufficient scientific evidence; ⊕⊕◯◯ = Limited scientific evidence; ⊕⊕⊕◯ = Moderately strong scientific evidence |
||||
Occupational exposure | Number of studies Number of participants total (n) | Location of complaints | GRADE | Interpretation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Force (push, pull, lift, or exert a force) | ||||
with neck and/or shoulders | 5 studies n=46 994 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Heavy lifting | 3 studies n=44 947 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
with wrist and/or hands | 8 studies n=49 565 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
with wrist and/or hands | 5 studies n=9055 |
Carpal tunnel syndrome | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
Posture | ||||
Upper arm posture | 1 study n=3824 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Elbow and/or wrist posture | 8 studies n=1 066 050 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Movements | ||||
Wrist and/or hand movements | 2 studies n=1 019 616 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Repetitive wrist and/or hand movements | 8 studies n=52 671 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Repetitive wrist and/or hand movements | 5 studies n=12 169 |
Carpal tunnel syndrome | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Combination of physical exposures | ||||
HAL TLV | 4 studies n=6469 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
HAL TLV | 3 studies n=6229 |
Carpal tunnel syndrome | ⊕⊕⊕◯ | A positive association exists |
Strain index | 2 studies n=2991 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work demands | ||||
Quantitative demands | 3 studies n=9775 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Job strain | 3 studies n=2288 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕⊕◯◯ | A positive association exists |
Job insecurity | 1 study n=6407 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Working with temporary workers | 1 study n=415 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Work pace | 1 study n=366 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Psychosocial work resources | ||||
Job control | 3 studies n=4828 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Social support | 3 studies n=7387 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Predictability | 1 study n=1532 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Advancement opportunities | 1 study n=1532 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Organisational factors | ||||
Shift work | 2 studies n=1937 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Overtime work | 2 studies n=3584 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Other exposures | ||||
Heat | 1 study n=3824 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Cold | 2 studies n=4239 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Temperature changes | 1 study n=3824 |
Wrist and hand | ⊕◯◯◯ | Cannot determine if an association exists |
Conflicts of interest
According to SBU’s requirements, the experts and scientific reviewers participating in this project have submitted statements about conflicts of interest. These documents are available at SBU’s secretariat. SBU has determined that the conditions described in the submissions are compatible with SBU’s requirements for objectivity and impartiality.
The full report in Swedish
Arbetsmiljöns betydelse för besvär och sjukdom i nacke, axlar, armar och händer
Flow chart
Project group
Experts
- Svend Erik Mathiassen, Senior Professor at the Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, University of Gävle
- Helena Sandén, MD and PhD at the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg
- Magnus Sverke, Professor of Work and Organisational Psychology at the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University
- Jens Wahlström, Associate Professor at Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, University of Umeå
SBU
- Margareta Hedner, PhD and Project Manager
- Sara Fundell, Project Administrator
- Jan Adolfsson, Assistant Project Manager(until December 2021)
- Martin Norman, Assistant Project Manager (from January 2022)
- Agneta Brolund, Information Specialist (until March 2020)
- Hanna Olofsson, Information Specialist (from January 2021)
- Jenny Odeberg, Head of Department
External reviewers
- Lars Adolfsson, Adjunct Professor at the Division of Surgery, Orthopedics and Oncology, University of Linköping
- Jane Frølund Thomsen, MD at the Department of occupational and environmental medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital
- Ulf Lundberg, Senior Professor, Professor at Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University and Karolinska institutet