Support System for the Assessment and Intervention During the Manual Material Handling Training at the Workplace: Contributions From the Systematic Observation.

Mariona Portell,Gudberg K Jonsson,José L Losada,M Teresa Anguera,Anna M Sene-Mir

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01247

Mariona Portell, Gudberg K Jonsson + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01247

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Abstract

Efficacy of classical manual material handling (MMH) training interventions on back pain prevention at the workplace has been called into question. The way that observation (self-observation or hetero-observation) is used in other areas to create feedback addressed to modify motor activities can justify innovative components for these interventions. However, their implementation and evaluation cannot be done without tackling the methodological challenge of developing a reliable observational instrument to measure manual handling practice during the training process. The aims of this study were: (1) justify and develop an hetero-observation (H-O) instrument to assess changes in the worker behavioral patterns with a level of analysis convenient to derive a parallel version for the systematic self-observation (S-O) during training on MMH; (2) provide evidence on the inter-rater reliability of the H-O instrument; (3) provide evidence on the usability of the S-O instrument and its perceived usefulness; and (4) provide evidence on the benefits that can be derived with the use of the H-O instrument to create feedback based on T-pattern and polar coordinate analysis. A mixed method approach mainly grounded on systematic observation was used. A convenience sample composed by blue-collar workers participated in the study. Based on literature review and expert opinion, the H-O instrument proposed was composed by six dimensions (feet, knee joints, back, elbow joints, load position, and interaction between back tilt and displacement) plus a structural dimension which defined MMH phases. The inter-rater reliability of this instrument was almost perfect for all dimensions using a tolerance level of 2 s (the range of time-unit kappa was from 0.93 to 0.97 and the range of event-based kappa was from 0.82 to 0.9). The usability and usefulness of the S-O instrument was highly valued by workers. Regarding the way to use hetero-observations to create feedback, the paper shows the great potential of T-pattern and polar coordinate analysis. The observational instruments developed combined with these techniques make it possible to characterize the body positions adopted during manual handling performance, and this is crucial to create feedback on performance instead of only feedback on results.

Highlights

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common occupational disorders worldwide (Schneider and Irastorza, 2010; Hossain et al, 2018; Penkala et al, 2018)
The aims of this paper were: (1) justify and develop an hetero-observation instrument with a level of analysis convenient to derive a parallel version for systematic self-observation during the training on manual material handling (MMH) technique; (2) provide evidence on the inter-rater reliability of the heteroobservation instrument; (3) provide evidence on the usability of the self-observational instrument and its usefulness perceived; and (4) provide evidence on the use of the hetero-observational instrument to create feedback based on T-pattern analysis and polar coordinate analysis
Following the research framework for the development and implementation of interventions preventing work related MSD established by van der Beek et al (2017), we assume that the etiology of back pain is multifactorial meaning that the SsObserWork approach is suggested as a piece for use in multicomponent occupational intervention, which in turn should be designed according to the “risk control hierarchy model.”

Summary

Introduction

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common occupational disorders worldwide (Schneider and Irastorza, 2010; Hossain et al, 2018; Penkala et al, 2018). Most studies have focused on evaluating the effectiveness of training on long-term results, such as reduction of MSDs, and there are few rigorous evaluations of the effect of MMH training on key intermediate variables of the changing health behavior theory, such as knowledge or behavior change (Hogan et al, 2014). The inclusion of these intermediate variables is necessary to evaluate the implementation process, which in turn is necessary to identify why an intervention worked or not, and under which operating conditions these interventions are likely to be most effective (Pedersen et al, 2012). Solving some of the aforementioned constraints cannot be done without tackling a methodological challenge related to the development of reliable observational instruments to measure manual handling practice during and after training (Hogan et al, 2014)

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