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@article{207090,
        author = {Supreet Khare},
        title = {Future Directions in Interventional Pain within Occupational Medicine: A Systematic Review of Emerging Technologies and Workplace Applications},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {3947-3956},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=207090},
        abstract = {Background. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain are major causes of disability and lost productivity among working-age adults. Standard occupational pain management often provides only partial and short-term relief. New interventional technologies, such as restorative therapies, neuromodulation, and image-guided precision interventions, could change how occupational pain is managed and prevented.
Objectives. To systematically review new interventional pain technologies that show real-world potential and can be expanded for broader use, and to connect them to occupational injury management, return-to-work, and prevention. Studies limited to animal experiments were excluded.
Methods. We followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched five databases and trial registers for clinical studies involving working-age adults who received regenerative, neuromodulatory, or image-guided treatments for musculoskeletal pain. Outcomes included pain, function, return to work, durability, safety, and cost. Two reviewers screened records, assessed risk of bias using RoB2, ROBINS-I, and AMSTAR-2, and grouped findings by technology type.
Results. Thirty-eight studies met the criteria. Platelet-rich plasma helped with chronic tendinopathies common in repetitive-strain jobs, though results varied across protocols. Spinal cord stimulation increased the likelihood of returning to work in difficult cases, and removable neuromodulation offered a more minimally invasive option. Ultrasound guidance made injections more accurate than traditional methods, and cooled radiofrequency ablation provided lasting relief for osteoarthritic pain. These approaches shared benefits like lasting results, less reliance on opioids, and suitability for use at the point of care.
Conclusions. Some technologies are ready and scalable for use in occupational settings, but work-related outcomes are still not reported often enough. There is a need for practical, work-focused studies and consistent protocols.},
        keywords = {occupational medicine; interventional pain; neuromodulation; regenerative therapy; return to work; musculoskeletal disorders.},
        month = {July},
        }