TY - JOUR PY - 2024// TI - Effectiveness of interventions on work outcomes after road traffic crash-related musculoskeletal injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis JO - Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation A1 - Brakenridge, Charlotte L. A1 - Smits, Esther J. A1 - Gane, Elise M. A1 - Andrews, Nicole E. A1 - Williams, Gina A1 - Johnston, Venerina SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are common after road traffic crash (RTC) and can lead to poor work-related outcomes. This review evaluated the impact of interventions on work-related (e.g. sick leave), health, and functional outcomes in individuals with a RTC-related musculoskeletal injury, and explored what factors were associated with work-related outcomes.

METHODS: Searches of seven databases were conducted up until 9/03/2023. Eligible interventions included adults with RTC-related musculoskeletal injuries, a comparison group, and a work-related outcome, and were in English. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan and meta-regressions in Stata.

RESULTS: Studies (n = 27) were predominantly conducted in countries with third-party liability schemes (n = 26), by physiotherapists (n = 17), and in participants with whiplash injuries (94%). Pooled effects in favour of the intervention group were seen overall (SMD = - 0.14, 95% CI: - 0.29, 0.00), for time to return to work (- 17.84 days, 95% CI: - 24.94, - 10.74), likelihood of returning to full duties vs. partial duties (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.36), decreased pain intensity (- 6.17 units, 95% CI: - 11.96, - 0.39, 100-point scale), and neck disability (- 1.77 units, 95% CI: - 3.24, - 0.30, 50-point scale).

DISCUSSION: Interventions after RTC can reduce time to return to work and increase the likelihood of returning to normal duties, but the results for these outcomes were based on a small number of studies with low-quality evidence. Further research is needed to evaluate a broader range of interventions, musculoskeletal injury types, and to include better quality work-related outcomes.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1053-0487 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-024-10185-z ID - ref1 ER -