Ergonomic interventions for work in a sitting position: an integrative review

The sitting position is one of the most common positions in the workplace and one that can contribute to overloading the musculoskeletal system. Ergonomics can play a significant role in ensuring an appropriate relationship between people and their work and in achieving better conditions for workers’ health. The objective of this study was to consult the available evidence on the results of different ergonomic interventions for the musculoskeletal systems of workers who perform their jobs in a sitting position. This was an integrative review, searching the LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, SciELO, and CINAHL electronic databases for articles published from 2010 to 2019. The following keywords were used: Trabalhadores OR Workers OR Trabajadores AND Dor OR Pain OR Dolor AND Postura Sentada OR Sitting Position OR Sedestación AND Ergonomia OR Ergonomics OR Ergonomía. A total of 183 articles were identified, 14 of which were selected for the review. For qualitative analysis, the articles were organized by author, year, sample/population, objective, analytical instrument, intervention and type of intervention: combinations of physical exercise programs and postural and ergonomic guidance; different types of guidance and facilitating instruments; or configuration of furniture and use of supporting devices. A quantitative analysis of study quality was conducted using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, based on the Delphi list. The interventions contributed to improve physical conditions and the tasks being carried out, making them more appropriate for the workers.