Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among gig-based food delivery workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The digital economy has spurred gig work, especially in food delivery, which grew during COVID-19. However, gig workers face occupational hazards like traffic accidents, poor ergonomics, and unsafe conditions, leading to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Studies show high rates of back and neck pain among delivery riders due to physical strain, repetitive motions, and long hours. WMSDs reduce productivity and increase healthcare costs. This review examines WMSD prevalence, risk factors, and related issues like accidents and violence among food delivery workers. Methods We searched for relevant articles up to June 2025 from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Two independent reviewers extracted data from the selected studies, including baseline information, outcomes, and prevalence of WMSDs. All data analyses were performed using R version 4.3.3. Results After removing 1,013 duplicate records, we retained 1,279 for screening. Following a thorough review, we identified 23 eligible entries for inclusion in our study. As per our analysis, delivery workers face high injury prevalence: lower back (43%), shoulder (39%), neck (30%), upper back (24%), and RTA (25%). Risk factors include gig economy systemic vulnerabilities, prolonged static postures, vibration exposure, open-door vehicles, and dangerous traffic practices. Different forms of violence (physical, verbal, and psychological) affected delivery workers, while exploitation and discrimination were particularly evident among minorities. Conclusion This review demonstrated a high burden of WMSDs among delivery workers, who face serious hazards like injuries, accidents, and violence due to precarious gig economy conditions, time pressures, and poor safety measures. This study provides the first quantitative pooled estimates of WMSD prevalence among food delivery workers, along with an additional narrative synthesis of traffic accidents and workplace violence.