From the Research
Changes in work rate can significantly contribute to the development of Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULD). When workers experience sudden increases in workload, production demands, or are subjected to piecework payment systems that encourage rapid work, they often adopt faster, more repetitive movements without adequate recovery time. This combination of increased repetition, reduced rest periods, and potentially compromised technique creates a perfect storm for tissue damage. The body's natural recovery mechanisms become overwhelmed when tissues are repeatedly stressed without sufficient time to repair, leading to inflammation, microtears, and eventually chronic pain conditions. According to a systematic review published in 2022 1, physical therapists are at increased risk for development of WRULDs due to the physically intensive, constant hands-on nature of the profession, and reported risk factors included treating a high volume of patients and frequent performance of manual therapy techniques.
Some key points to consider:
- The 1-year WRULDs prevalence rates varied widely, with thumb disorders having the highest prevalence (7.6-52.5%), followed by wrist and hand disorders (5-66.2%), shoulder disorders (3.2-45.2%), and elbow disorders (4-16%) 1.
- Consequences included interference with workers' personal and professional activities while coping strategies involved alterations to the work environment, techniques used, and workload 1.
- Implementing scheduled microbreaks, rotating tasks among workers, gradually increasing workloads rather than making sudden changes, and ensuring proper ergonomic setups become especially important to prevent WRULD development during periods of increased work rate.
- The relationship between work rate and WRULD highlights why workplace interventions must address not just physical workspace design but also organizational factors like production expectations and scheduling.
It is essential to prioritize the prevention of WRULDs by improving clinicians' awareness of WRULDs, workplace risk factors, and subsequent consequences of WRULDs, as well as implementing effective coping strategies to preserve, protect, and prolong workers' use of the upper limbs 1.