Research Highlights

Research highlights are easy-to-read, lay audience summaries of recent IWH studies that have been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Latest additions

Complete list by category

Preventing MSDs

Case studies of participatory ergonomic programs (2010)

Reducing musculoskeletal symptoms in health-care workers (2010)

Reducing work-related physical stresses to prevent MSDs (2010)

Which workplace interventions are most effective in preventing upper extremity MSDs? (2010)

Heavy workloads linked to mental health, MSD treatment in health-care workers (2009)

Manufacturer saves money with participatory ergonomic program (2009)

Study tests ways to increase uptake of ergonomic innovations (2009)

Workplace factors affect return-to-work accommodations (2009)

Neck pain common among adults, review shows (2008)

Which factors put workers at risk for neck pain? (2008)

Workers show valuable insight into OHS risks (2008)

Some tasks put carpenters at higher risk for low-back pain (2007)

Ergonomics eases pain of repetitive strain injury (2006)

Soft-tissue injuries are associated with increased health-care visits (2006)

Worker participation in ergonomic programs has benefits (2006)

Effective OHS practices

Ontario youth work injury rate declining more steeply, converging with adult rate (2011)

The role of health-care providers in complicated claims (2011)

Are ergonomic interventions cost-effective? (2010)

Case studies of participatory ergonomic programs (2010)

How do small businesses implement health and safety processes? (2010)

Improving health and safety in small businesses (2010)

Reducing musculoskeletal symptoms in health-care workers (2010)

Reducing work-related physical stresses to prevent MSDs (2010)

Manufacturer saves money with participatory ergonomic program (2009)

Workers show valuable insight into OHS risks (2008)

Workplace health and safety management systems show promise (2007)

Worker participation in ergonomic programs has benefits (2006)

Vulnerable workers

Changes in physiotherapy use for MSDs highlight inequality of access (2011)

Precarious employment may affect worker health (2011)

Vulnerable workers more likely to receive no income for work-related absence (2009)

Long-term health effects seen in injured youth (2008)

Preteens, young teens are working and getting injured (2008)

Temp workers have similar work-related sick days as permanent workers (2008)

Young workers out of school, with no diploma, more likely to be injured (2008)

How young workers view workplace injuries (2007)

Job settings, education linked to work disability in youth (2007)

More time in sports, but not work, increases youth injury risk (2007)

Women, young workers, minorities are more likely to be “underemployed” (2007)

Work setting, hazards are key injury risk factors for youth (2007)

Young workers have wage losses in the year after work disability (2007)

Youth injury rates vary across Ontario regions (2007)

Ontario has lowest young worker injury rate (2006)

Regulation + incentives

Are ergonomic interventions cost-effective? (2010)

Examining OSH and workers’ compensation in non-profit organizations (2010)

Citations, penalties from inspectors reduce workplace injuries (2007)

Working conditions + health

Ontario youth work injury rate declining more steeply, converging with adult rate (2011)

Precarious employment may affect worker health (2011)

What is the association between occupation and suicide risk among working Canadians? (2010)

Heavy workloads linked to mental health, MSD treatment in health-care workers (2009)

Smoking, physical activity levels vary in different groups (2009)

Unstable work increases risk of unwanted sexual advances (2009)

Work factors affect off-the-job drinking habits (2009)

Work-related insecurity a health risk — for some more than others (2009)

Health and safety in high-tech workplaces (2008)

Low job control has negative effect on health (2008)

Neck pain common among adults, review shows (2008)

OHS risks in social service organizations (2008)

Temp workers have similar work-related sick days as permanent workers (2008)

Which factors put workers at risk for neck pain? (2008)

Job settings, education linked to work disability in youth (2007)

Only one in five new workers receive safety training in Canada (2007)

Some tasks put carpenters at higher risk for low-back pain (2007)

What are the main causes of hospitalization in sawmill workers? (2007)

Women, young workers, minorities are more likely to be “underemployed” (2007)

Work setting, hazards are key injury risk factors for youth (2007)

Canadians report small drop in stressful job situations (2006)

How work conditions affect depression (2006)

Return-to-work practices

The role of health-care providers in complicated claims (2011)

Work absenteeism and recurrent neck pain (2011)

Why some injured workers don’t return to work as expected (2010)

An approach to developing a return-to-work program (2009)

Co-workers play important, but sometimes “invisible” role in RTW (2009)

Older, previously ill workers benefit most from RTW program (2009)

Study finds three groups of workers with low-back pain (2009)

Workplace factors affect return-to-work accommodations (2009)

When a “hurt” becomes a “harm” in return to work (2008)

Disability management programs differ greatly in Ontario health-care sector (2007)

First return to work after injury doesn't always mean full recovery (2007)

Injured worker peer groups shed light on improving return to work (2007)

Two key strategies are critical for return-to-work programs (2007)

Workplace program speeds up return to work (2007)

Clinical treatment

Changes in physiotherapy use for MSDs highlight inequality of access (2011)

Comparing four tools to measure disability at work (2009)

Does ultrasound speed the healing of broken bones? (2009)

Involving stakeholders helps research influence policy (2009)

Massage helps reduce low-back pain, increase function (2009)

Ontario chiropractors using fewer X-rays (2009)

Orthopedic surgeons hold diverse views of chiropractors (2009)

Study finds three groups of workers with low-back pain (2009)

Chiropractic schools teach evidence-based X-ray use (2008)

Does chiropractic care for neck pain increase stroke risk? (2008)

Five non-surgical neck pain treatments work equally well (2008)

Laser therapy evidence unclear for low-back pain (2008)

Neck pain patients can be triaged into four groups (2008)

Optimism, social support improve neck pain recovery (2008)

Several non-invasive treatments work for neck pain (2008)

Do chiropractors recommend back radiographs too frequently? (2007)

Early aggressive care delays recovery after whiplash, study confirms (2007)

Fitness training, rehabilitation don’t improve whiplash recovery (2007)

Some herbal drugs may ease back pain in short term (2007)

Workers with back injuries show four recovery patterns (2007)

“Passive” coping may slow whiplash recovery (2007)

Is traction effective in treating low-back pain? (2006)

Compensation + benefits

Changes in physiotherapy use for MSDs highlight inequality of access (2011)

Work absenteeism and recurrent neck pain (2011)

Examining OSH and workers’ compensation in non-profit organizations (2010)

Why some injured workers don’t return to work as expected (2010)

Vulnerable workers more likely to receive no income for work-related absence (2009)

How injured and ill workers receive expedited care (2008)

Decline in lost-time claims is linked to drop in hazardous jobs (2007)

Study finds hospital costs for injured sawmill workers (2007)

Depression, poor physical health increase injured workers' disability days (2006)

Soft-tissue injuries are associated with increased health-care visits (2006)

Measuring health + function

Work absenteeism and recurrent neck pain (2011)

Comparing four tools to measure disability at work (2009)

High nerve injury pain predicts upper extremity disability (2009)

For many workers, neck pain lasts at least a year (2008)

For many, whiplash recovery is prolonged (2008)

Optimism, social support improve neck pain recovery (2008)

Age may predict recovery from shoulder disorders (2006)

Whiplash after traffic accidents can lead to depression (2006)

Work-related injuries reduce caregiving hours at home (2006)