Low Back Stress Research Articles

ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF HOSPITAL WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT: THE CASE OF A PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN DUZCE

With this study, it was aimed to investigate the ergonomics of the furniture used for the employees in a public hospital in Düzce. With the data obtained and interpreted for this purpose, it was possible to use the furniture used by the hospital staff more ergonomically. Within the scope of the study, 242 employees, consisting of nurses, midwives, health officers and employees working in polyclinics, were reached by face-to-face interview method and data were obtained. As a result of the statistical evaluation of the data obtained, it was determined that 26.4% of the participants did not have any knowledge about ergonomic working conditions, and 45% had partial knowledge. The situation that the participants are most satisfied with regarding the ergonomic designs of the work areas is the presence of sufficient amount of antiseptic and disinfectant substances where deemed necessary. In addition, the participants are pleased with the existence of the necessary compartments to ensure privacy, the regular cleaning of the work areas, and the adequate lighting of the work areas. It has been determined that the participants are least disturbed by whether the electrical cables are collected safely, whether the seats are suitable or not, and whether the office temperature is appropriate. Within the scope of the study, it was observed that the most basic health problem experienced by the employees depending on their working environment was the feeling of general fatigue and exhaustion, followed by low back and back pain and stress.

Identifying Risk Factors for Preexisting or Developing Low Back Pain in Youth, High School, and Collegiate Lacrosse Players Using 3-Dimensional Motion Analysis.

Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition that can affect athletes of all ages. The risk factors for LBP onset and worsening associated with the lacrosse shooting motion are not yet known. To identify training and biomechanical factors associated with preexisting LBP and development of LBP over 6 months in youth, high school, and collegiate lacrosse players. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. A total of 128 lacrosse players were enrolled in this study between January 2016 and January 2019. Player characteristics, lacrosse experience, and participation in other sports were self-reported. At baseline and 2-, 4-, and 6-month follow-ups, the players self-rated the presence and severity of LBP using a numeric pain rating scale (0-10 points). Participants were grouped according to LBP symptoms: no LBP at any time point (n = 102), preexisting LBP (n = 17), or developed LBP within the 6-month period (n = 9). The lacrosse shooting motion was captured via 3-dimensional motion analysis, and kinematic and kinetic variables were recorded. A Low Back Stress Index was used to estimate lumbar stress as a function of pelvic acceleration at the time of maximum lateral trunk lean during the shot. Univariate analyses of covariance and logistic regression models were used to address study aims. Compared with the no-LBP group, the preexisting LBP group demonstrated 13.9% to 22.9% lower maximum angular velocities at the pelvis, trunk, and shoulders in the transverse plane (P < .05), 19.3% less collective pelvis-shoulder rotation in the transverse plane (P = .015), and 4.5% more knee flexion excursion (P = .063). The developed-LBP group produced 2.3% to 11.1% higher angular velocities in the pelvis, trunk, and shoulder and generated maximum pelvic acceleration values 36% to 42% higher than the remaining groups (P < .05 for both). Mean Low Back Stress Index values were not statistically significant among the groups (no LBP: 12,504 ± 13,076 deg2/s2; preexisting LBP: 8808 ± 10,174 deg2/s2; developed LBP: 19,389 ± 13,590 deg2/s2; P = .157). Preexisting LBP was associated with significantly restricted motion of the pelvis, trunk, and shoulders during a lacrosse shot. Excessive pelvic acceleration may be related to the development of LBP in lacrosse players.

Effects of consecutive workdays and days off on low back pain, fatigue and stress: prospective cohort study among warehouse and construction workers

ObjectivesLimited knowledge exists about day-to-day changes in physical and mental symptoms in warehouse and construction workers. This study investigated the associations between consecutive workdays and days off with low back...

The influence of bed height as a percentage of participant height on low back forces when boosting a patient up in bed.

Repositioning patients is a frequent task for healthcare workers causing substantial stress to the low back. Patient handling methodologies that reduce low back load should be used. Some studies have observed the effect of bed height on back forces using a limited range of heights. This study details a wider range. The aim of this study was to discover an optimal bed height for reducing low back force when boosting a patient. 11 university students and local residents participated by completing a series of boosts with a 91.6 kg research assistant acting as dependent. The bed was adjusted 3% of participant height and 3 boosts were completed at each height which resulted in 8-10 different bed heights depending on the height of the participant. Motion and force data were collected to estimate low back forces via 3DSSPP. Pearson's R was performed to observe the correlation between caregiver height and low back forces. There were significant negative correlations between bed height and low back compression force at L4-L5 (r = -0.676, p = <0.001) and L5-S1 (r = -0.704, p = <0.001). There were no significant correlations with any shear forces. The highest bed height led to decreased low back compression forces regardless of participant height, but there was not a significant difference in shear forces. Thus, healthcare workers may experience less low back stress with the bed at a higher height. There may be a force tradeoff between the low back and other parts of the body that needs further exploration. Healthcare workers need to be made aware of the implications of adjusting the environment when performing patient handling tasks.

ID: 221660 Long-Term Chronic Orchialgia Pain Resolution Following Sacral Nerve Stimulation–A Case Report and 5-Year Follow-Up

Chronic Orchialgia (CO) is a neuropathic pain syndrome described as intermittent or constant testicular pain lasting ≥3 months and significantly interferes with daily activities. The pain is typically described as scrotal content pain and may involve one or both testicles, the epididymis, para-testicular structures, and the spermatic cord. CO is most frequently seen in men in their mid to late 30s and has shown increased incidence in recent years. In addition to severe pain, it is associated with male infertility, low back pain, stress, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. We present a case of paddle lead sacral nerve stimulator implantation effectively resolving CO pain.

Flexible sensor-based biomechanical evaluation of low-back exoskeleton use in lifting

This study aimed to establish an ambulatory field-friendly system based on miniaturised wireless flexible sensors for studying the biomechanics of human-exoskeleton interactions. Twelve healthy adults performed symmetric lifting with and without a passive low-back exoskeleton, while their movements were tracked using both a flexible sensor system and a conventional motion capture (MoCap) system synchronously. Novel algorithms were developed to convert the raw acceleration, gyroscope, and biopotential signals from the flexible sensors into kinematic and dynamic measures. Results showed that these measures were highly correlated with those obtained from the MoCap system and discerned the effects of the exoskeleton, including increased peak lumbar flexion, decreased peak hip flexion, and decreased lumbar flexion moment and back muscle activities. The study demonstrated the promise of an integrated flexible sensor-based system for biomechanics and ergonomics field studies as well as the efficacy of exoskeleton in relieving the low-back stress associated with manual lifting.

SA22 Examination of Correlations Between Core Stability, Low Back Pain and Stress in the Staff of the Hungarian National Ambulance Service

Ambulance workers are exposed to high levels of physical and mental strain as a result of their work. Our goal was to investigate the correlations between their lower back pain, stress, quality of life and core stability.

Relationship between low back pain and stress urinary incontinence at 3 months postpartum.

Previous studies have proposed that pelvic misalignment may be associated with stress urinary incontinence through a decrease in the contractile function of the pelvic floor muscles; however, this relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between low back pain, an indication of pelvic misalignment, and stress urinary incontinence at 3 months postpartum. We conducted a cross-sectional study of women who gave birth to full-term babies between July 2008 and July 2009. Stress urinary incontinence was defined as urinary leakage when coughing, sneezing, or exercising. Low back pain was defined as pain between the ribs and gluteal sulcus in the preceding 2 months. Of the 228 subjects included in the study, the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence was 22.8% (n = 52). The prevalence of low back pain in the stress urinary incontinence group was significantly higher than that in the non-stress urinary incontinence group (78.8% [n = 41] vs. 57.4% [n = 101]; p = 0.005). Stress urinary incontinence was associated with older age, primiparity, vaginal delivery, and low back pain at 3 months. In conclusion, low back pain was associated with stress urinary incontinence after adjusting for pregnancy and delivery factors, suggesting pelvic misalignment contributes to the development of stress urinary incontinence. We propose that including care for pelvic misalignment in pelvic floor muscle training, the treatment of choice for stress urinary incontinence, could be beneficial.

Ergonomics Analysis of Computer Use in Distance Learning during the Pandemic of COVID-19

One impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education is the mandated learning from home or distance learning (DL) in both state and private education institutions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. DL may require long periods of time in front of a computer screen, which can create ergonomic issues such as eye, shoulder or neck problems, low back pain, and fatigue or stress. This study was structured to look at the ergonomic behavior of students in the statistics department at Padjadjaran University. The data were gathered using questionnaire, and there were 146 respondents who were willing to answer and send back the questionnaire. The results of the analysis show that the majority of students do not have knowledge about ergonomics when using computers. However, students agree that wrong posture can affect health conditions, especially those related to musculoskeletal disorders. The real impact felt by students is the health condition around their neck, shoulders, waist, bottoms, and wrists.

Relationship between Low Back Pain and Stress Urinary Incontinance in Middle - Aged Women

Abstract Background: Low back pain (LBP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are common problems in women, there are many factors that associated with the development of LBP, but there are a limited research that evaluate the relationship between LBP and SUI. Aim of Study: To determine the relationship between stress urinary Incomitance and low back pain in middle-aged women. Material and Methods: One hundred multipara women participated in this study. 50 women complained from stress urinary incontinence (diagnosed by physician) and 50 women were free from stress urinary incontinence (diagnosed by physician). They were selected from Al-Hussein University Hospital in Cairo, Al-Azhar University from November 2020 to March 2021. Their ages were ranged from 35 to 45 years old. Their body mass index was not exceeding 30kg/m2. They were multipara women. Patients with corrected SUI, previous low back surgery, spondylolisthesis and chronic low back pain were excluded from the study. They were divided ran-domly into two equal groups (AB p-value=0.151. While in group (B). There was a statistical significant negative correlation between oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (ODI) and pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) (r=–0.281; p-value=0.048) and in all studied cases (group A + B). There was a statistical signif-icant negative correlation between oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (ODI) and pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) (r=–0.419; p-value=0.001). Conclusion: Accordingly, it can be concluded that there is a positive relationship between low back pain and stress urinary incontinence and presence of stress urinary inconti-nence is predisposing factor for low back pain.

Efficacy of a Core Strengthening Program for Diastasis Rectus Abdominis in Postpartum Women: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) is characterized by a widening between the rectus abdominis muscles and thinning of the linea alba. It is common during pregnancy and may contribute to postpartum low back pain (LBP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Core strengthening is thought to improve DRA, but there is no widely accepted exercise program. Objectives: To assess changes in interrectus distance (IRD) and participant-reported outcomes (PROs) after an online core strengthening program in postpartum women with DRA. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Forty-three postpartum women (36.7 ± 3.5 years) with DRA, which was diagnosed as an IRD 2.0 cm or more using musculoskeletal ultrasound, participated in a 12-week online core strengthening program focused on daily transversus abdominis activation with coordinated breathing and pelvic floor muscle engagement. IRD and PROs were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. A subset of 19 women participated in an additional 12-week maintenance phase, and outcomes assessments were performed at 24 weeks. Results: The 12-week online core strengthening program significantly decreased IRD above and below the umbilicus at rest (slope [95% confidence interval]: −0.56 [−0.74, −0.38] and −0.26 [−0.45, −0.06]; P < .001 and P = .009, respectively) and below the umbilicus during contraction (−0.39 [−0.58, −0.20]; P < .001). Improvements in LBP-related disability (P = .002) and SUI (P = .001) were also observed. Participation in the maintenance phase significantly improved IRD at 24 weeks compared with 12 weeks (P < .0125). Satisfaction averaged 7.43 ± 2.23. Conclusions: The 12-week online core strengthening program reduced IRD and improved LBP-related disability and SUI. Program participation for 12 additional weeks further reduced IRD. These results suggest that the online core strengthening program can be used in postpartum women with DRA.

Sustainability of a Motor Control Exercise Intervention: Analysis of Long-Term Effects in a Low Back Pain Study.

Development of chronic pain after a low back pain episode is associated with increased pain sensitivity, altered pain processing mechanisms and the influence of psychosocial factors. Although there is some evidence that multimodal therapy (such as behavioral or motor control therapy) may be an important therapeutic strategy, its long-term effect on pain reduction and psychosocial load is still unclear. Prospective longitudinal designs providing information about the extent of such possible long-term effects are missing. This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of a homebased uni- and multidisciplinary motor control exercise program on low back pain intensity, disability and psychosocial variables. 14 months after completion of a multicenter study comparing uni- and multidisciplinary exercise interventions, a sample of one study center (n = 154) was assessed once more. Participants filled in questionnaires regarding their low back pain symptoms (characteristic pain intensity and related disability), stress and vital exhaustion (short version of the Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire), anxiety and depression experiences (the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale), and pain-related cognitions (the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire). Repeated measures mixed ANCOVAs were calculated to determine the long-term effects of the interventions on characteristic pain intensity and disability as well as on the psychosocial variables. Fifty four percent of the sub-sample responded to the questionnaires (n = 84). Longitudinal analyses revealed a significant long-term effect of the exercise intervention on pain disability. The multidisciplinary group missed statistical significance yet showed a medium sized long-term effect. The groups did not differ in their changes of the psychosocial variables of interest. There was evidence of long-term effects of the interventions on pain-related disability, but there was no effect on the other variables of interest. This may be partially explained by participant's low comorbidities at baseline. Results are important regarding costless homebased alternatives for back pain patients and prevention tasks. Furthermore, this study closes the gap of missing long-term effect analysis in this field.

A simple method for estimating the intervertebral disc compressive force based on the posture analysis of community-dwelling older adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to develop a simpler method to estimate the intervertebral disc compressive force in healthy older adults. We also examined the validity of a simpler estimation formula for patients with spinal diseases. [Participants and Methods] Fifty-two older adults participated in the study. The standing posture was measured using a three-dimensional motion capture system. The intervertebral disc compressive force was calculated using a previously reported method. Correlation analysis was used to detect the relationship between the measured parameters and the intervertebral disc compressive force. Multiple regression analysis was performed to obtain an equation for the intervertebral disc compressive force. Correlation analysis was used to determine the regression equation for the patients with spinal diseases. [Results] Multiple regression analysis showed that trunk flexion/extension angle and body mass were significantly associated with intervertebral disc compressive force. A correlation was found between the measured and predicted values in the healthy older adults, whereas both values were inconsistent in patients with spinal diseases. [Conclusion] The results of our study demonstrated that the trunk flexion/extension angle and body mass are indicators of intervertebral disc compressive force and can be used to assess low back mechanical stress in healthy older adults.

Influence of a rescanning strategy with different laser powers on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Hastelloy X elaborated by powder bed fusion

The present study investigates the influence of a rescanning strategy on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Hastelloy X samples manufactured by laser powder bed fusion process in additive manufacturing. After a first lasing leading to powder melting, a second lasing is performed on the solid metal with five considered laser powers corresponding to 100-80-60-40 and 20% of the power of the first laser scan. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples obtained from these elaboration strategies were then compared to those of a conventional strategy with and without heat treatment. Using electron microscopy, monotonic and loading/unloading tensile tests, the results revealed that samples elaborated with the rescanning strategy are characterized by weaker crystallographic texture, lower backstress and larger ductility compared to conventional elaboration parameters. However, these modifications induced by the second laser scan, depend on the second laser scanning power, better properties are observed for a decrease of 40% in the laser power during the second laser scan. Such strategy may be suitable to optimize the mechanical properties but also to potentially avoid post-elaboration heat treatments.

Use of auriculotherapy to control low back pain, anxiety and stress of professionals of the correctional system

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Auriculotherapy is an integrative practice used to relieve physical and emotional symptoms, especially in relation to pain. It has a low cost and easy applicability, which makes it a viable and eligible therapeutic resource. The present study aimed to identify the contributions of auriculotherapy to improve the quality of life of professionals of the correctional system. METHODS: Experimental study, with data collection between July and December 2018 in the female public prison of a city of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Low back pain, anxiety, and stress were the symptoms selected for the intervention with auriculotherapy evaluated at each auriculotherapy session by psychometric instruments. Data analysis was performed using STATA software version 12.0. RESULTS: Women aged between 30 and 44 years old, brown, with complete higher education and living with spouse prevailed. There was a greater reduction in the intensity of symptoms in the intervention group, especially in relation to stress and low back pain, which indicates the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in this group. CONCLUSION: Auriculotherapy has shown promising in this occupational context and can bring direct benefits to professionals, both in relation to the willingness to work and to promote the quality of life.

Effects of an 8-week pelvic core stability and nutrition community programme on maternal health outcomes.

Women, during the antenatal and post-partum period, report pelvic, low back pain, stress and urge urinary incontinence, colorectal dysfunction, and other co-morbidities that negatively affect health-related quality of life. Exercise and nutrition are important considerations for improving maternal health in this period. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a community-driven nutrition and exercise programme focused on pelvic floor and core stability, healthy nutrition, and breastfeeding counselling over an 8-week period on pelvic floor and urinary distress (UDI), prolapse and colorectal distress for antenatal and post-partum women with limited access to health care, and low socio-economic resources from a Midwestern Region of the United States. Purposive sample of 35 females, ages 18-44, were recruited for this prospective, preintervention to postintervention study, following ethical approval from Institutional Review Board and voluntary written consent from participants. The Health History Questionnaire, SF-36, Food Frequency Questionnaire, report of pelvic organ prolapse dysfunction (POPDI), colorectal-anal dysfunction (CRADI), and UDI as measured by the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) were completed before and after intervention. Thirty-five women (n=35) 18 to 44years old (mean age of 22.72±3.45years) completed the study. A significant difference was found from preintervention to postintervention scores means for PFDI total scores, CRADI individual scores, and UDI individual scores (p<.05). POPDI scores decreased preintervention to postintervention but were not significant. A significant improvement in healthy nutrition and breastfeeding postintervention was also found (z=3.21, p=.001). Further analysis showed significant, but weak, correlation between parity and POPDI (r=.366, p=.033); between parity and UDI (r=.384, p=.03); and between parity and PFDI (r=.419, p=.014). Our study found a significant reduction in pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary, and colorectal-anal distress symptoms and improvement in breastfeeding and healthy nutrition following an 8-week community-driven nutrition and exercise programme focused on pelvic floor and core stability, healthy nutrition, and breastfeeding counselling.

Proceedings of Contributed Presentations 10th World Federation of Chiropractic/Association of Chiropractic Colleges Education Conference

Proceedings of Contributed Presentations 10th World Federation of Chiropractic/Association of Chiropractic Colleges Education Conference

Low Back Pain and its Assessment among Commercial Fishermen in Agenebode: An Ergonomic Perspective

In a research done amongst commercial fishermen in Agenebode (Lat. 7.11oN, 6.69oE), the problem low back pain is significant in the fishing business. Research information is scarce on the investigation of the ergonomic stress of professional fishing. Moreover, there is no prior analysis, which investigates the relationship between low back stress (LBS) and low back pain (LBP) in fishing activities. This paper aims to measure the LBS during the gillnet and commercial crab fishing activities as well as to verify the correlation between the low back pain occurrences and those stresses reported in study of Agenebode commercial fishermen during the period (April 2017 – July 2017). A sample of 30 commercial fishermen considered in this study were exposed to LBS and the frequency of the fishing activities was assessed using questionnaire with crab pot and gillnet fishermen. The occurrence rate ratios (RR, 95% CI) of low back pain, which interrupted fishing, exposed to the high LBS and self-reported task was modelled on the basis of the multivariate generalised Poisson regression. It was observed that increased rates of low back pain correlates with the percent of time fishermen were exposed to discomforted postures. Handling of heavy loads during the loading and unloading activities generated lifting indices and high compression values, but with little overall work time (&lt;15%). The results establish that neither ergonomic measure nor fishing task frequency alone can accurately predict LBP. Conversely, ageing, history of the LBP and self-selection out of tasks, perhaps, are significant factors that contributes to the LBS and outcomes observed

Temporal Evolution of Disc in Young Patients with Low Back Pain and Stress Reaction in Lumbar Vertebrae.

Although stress-induced bony changes often resolve with conservative treatment, the long-term effects of such mechanical stresses on intervertebral discs have not been studied. We aimed to assess the differences in the temporal evolution of disc in segments of the lumbar spine with and without signs of increased mechanical stresses. Using MR imaging performed >6 months apart, 2 radiologists evaluated lumbar intervertebral discs for degenerative changes affecting the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus, and the endplates in 42 patients (22 male, 20 female; mean age, 16.0 ± 3.7 years [range, 7-25 years]) with low back pain and imaging evidence of stress reaction/fracture in the lumbar spine. Data were analyzed for differences in the presence and progression of disc degeneration in stressed versus nonstressed segments. At baseline, stressed discs had a higher burden of annular fissures, radial fissures, herniation, and nuclear degeneration. Endplate defect burden was comparable in stressed and control discs. At follow-up, the burden of new annular fissures and endplate defects was comparable for stressed and control discs. However, a higher proportion of stressed discs showed worsening nuclear signal intensity grade (14.3% versus 0% control discs; P = .008) and worsening nuclear degeneration grade (11.9% versus 0% control discs; P = .02). An increased risk of progressive nuclear degeneration of stressed discs was observed irrespective of the outcome of bony changes. Stressed discs exhibit a higher burden of nuclear and annular degeneration at baseline. These discs have a higher risk of progressive nuclear degeneration irrespective of improvement or worsening of stress-related bony changes.

Common injuries in field hockey

Field hockey is considered as a popular sport worldwide next to soccer in popularity. According to National Collegiate Athlete Association overall injury rate is 6.3%/1000 athlete exposure. Mechanism of injury could be extrinsic injury that is, being struck by hockey stick or ball or intrinsic injury due to internal force acting on muscle or an overuse injury which includes tibial stress syndrome, shin soreness, illiotibial band pain, low back dysfunction, tendonitis, patello-femoral pain, planter fasciitis, and stress fracture of foot and leg. Initial approach to injured athlete includes airways, breathing, circulation, rest, ice, compression, elevation, referral protocol, normalize joint range of motion (ROM), restore strengthening, Improve proprioception, agility and balance, minimize chance of re injury by maintaining flexibility. Strengthening and therapeutic exercises that will vary accordingly to the injured part. Countermeasures include preparticipation screening, preseason conditioning, fitness program, adequate warm and pregame stretch, followed by cool down and postgame stretch, following rules and penalty and finally by wearing protective equipment. This article discusses the biomechanics and common injuries in field hockey. Patho-mechanics, diagnosis, and physiotherapy management of the common injures are outlined. This may help the health care practitioners who deals with different injuries related to hockey.