# Adaptation strategies for nurses with musculoskeletal pain in hospital work: a systematic review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews strategies to help nurses with musculoskeletal pain, combining personal coping methods and workplace improvements.

## Contribution

It identifies effective non-pharmacological and ergonomic strategies for reducing musculoskeletal pain in hospital nurses.

## Key findings

- Combining individual actions with workplace improvements is most effective for reducing musculoskeletal pain.
- Non-pharmacological methods like mindfulness and auriculotherapy help reduce pain.
- Ergonomic workplace adaptations are crucial for preventing and managing musculoskeletal pain.

## Abstract

to analyze the effectiveness of individual coping strategies and hospital work environment adaptations for nurses with musculoskeletal pain.

a systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was performed in six databases, including experimental and pre-experimental studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 (Risk of Bias 2) and ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions) tools. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute model, the Jadad Scale and the Melnyk, Buck and Gallagher-Ford Levels of Evidence.

eight studies were included, identifying individual coping strategies such as stretching exercises, auriculotherapy and mindfulness. Workplace-based strategies were multidisciplinary, integrated and focused on training for identifying and preventing musculoskeletal risks while improving working conditions.

the most effective strategies combine workers’ individual actions with improvements in working conditions, addressing physical, psychosocial and ergonomic factors to adapt the work environment, prevent musculoskeletal pain progression and maintain job performance. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024575014.

(1) Individual and workplace strategies have been implemented to reduce musculoskeletal pain (MSP). (2) Non-pharmacological strategies such as mindfulness and auriculotherapy reduce MSP. (3) Applying ergonomics in the workplace reduces MSP. (4) Workers’ individual needs must be considered to reduce MSP.

analisar a efetividade das estratégias de enfrentamento individual e de adaptação do ambiente laboral hospitalar para os profissionais de enfermagem com dor musculoesquelética.

revisão sistemática conduzida de acordo com os Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. A busca foi realizada em seis bases de dados, incluindo estudos experimentais e pré-experimentais. O risco de viés foi avaliado por meio das ferramentas RoB2 (Risk of Bias 2) e ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions). A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada pelo modelo Joanna Briggs Institute, Escala de Jadad e Nível de Evidência Melnyk, Buck e Gallagher-Ford.

foram incluídos oito estudos, identificando-se as estratégias de enfrentamento individual: exercícios de alongamento, auriculoterapia, mindfulness. As estratégias aplicadas no ambiente laboral são multidisciplinares, integradas e orientadas para a capacitação na identificação e prevenção de riscos musculoesqueléticos e para o aprimoramento das condições do ambiente de trabalho.

as estratégias mais efetivas são aquelas que combinam ações individuais dos trabalhadores com melhoria das condições de trabalho considerando aspectos físicos, psicossociais e ergonômicos para a adaptação do ambiente de trabalho, prevenir a progressão da dor musculoesquelética e manter o desempenho no trabalho. Registro PROSPERO CRD42024575014.

(1) Estratégias individuais e focadas no local de trabalho têm sido aplicadas para reduzir a DME. (2) Estratégias não farmacológicas como mindfulness e auriculoterapia reduzem a DME. (3) A aplicação de ergonomia no trabalho reduz a DME. (4) As necessidades individuais do trabalhador devem ser consideradas para reduzir a DME.

analizar la efectividad de las estrategias de afrontamiento individual y de adaptación del ambiente laboral hospitalario para profesionales de Enfermería con dolor musculoesquelético.

revisión sistemática de acuerdo a los Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. La búsqueda se realizó en seis bases de datos y se incluyeron estudios de diseño experimental y pre-experimental. El riesgo de sesgo se evaluó mediante las herramientas RoB2 (Risk of Bias 2) y ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions) mientras que la calidad metodológica a través del modelo del Joanna Briggs Institute, la Escala de Jadad y el Nivel de Evidencia Melnyk, Buck y Gallagher-Ford.

se incluyeron ocho estudios y se identificaron las siguientes estrategias de afrontamiento individual: ejercicios de estiramiento, auriculoterapia y mindfulness. Las estrategias aplicadas en el ambiente laboral son multidisciplinarias e integradas y están orientadas a la capacitación en identificar y prevenir riesgos musculoesqueléticos y a mejorar las condiciones del entorno de trabajo.

las estrategias más efectivas son las que combinan las acciones individuales de cada trabajador y la mejora en las condiciones de trabajo considerando aspectos físicos, psicosociales y ergonómicos para adaptar el entorno laboral, prevenir la progresión del dolor musculoesquelético y mantener el desempeño profesional. Registro PROSPERO CRD42024575014.

(1) Se han aplicado estrategias individuales y en el lugar de trabajo para reducir el DME. (2) Estrategias no farmacológicas como mindfulness y auriculoterapia reducen el DME. (3) Aplicar la ergonomía en el trabajo reduce el DME. (4) Deben considerarse las necesidades individuales de cada trabajador para reducir el DME.