Prevention Of Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Articles

A Review of Potential Exoskeletons for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Agriculture

A Review of Potential Exoskeletons for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Agriculture

Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Assessment during the Tennis Serve: Performance and Prevention.

Addressing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during a tennis serve is a challenge for both protecting athletes and maintaining performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of MSD occurrence using the rapid whole-body assessment (REBA) ergonomic tool at each time step, using 3D kinematic analysis of joint angles for slow and fast serves. Two force platforms (750 Hz) and an optoelectronic system including 10 infrared cameras (150 Hz, 82 markers located on the whole body and on the racket) were used to capture the kinematics of the six REBA joint areas over five services in two young male and two young female ranked players. The mean REBA score was 9.66 ± 1.11 (ranging from 7.75 to 11.85) with the maximum value observed for the loading and cocking stage (REBA score > 11). The intermediate scores for each of the six joint areas ranged between 2 and 3 and the maximum value of their respective scales. The lowest scores were observed for the shoulder. Neck rotation and shoulder flexion are parameters that could be taken into account when analyzing performance in the context of MSD prevention.

A cross-sectional study to assess the pattern of work-related musculoskeletal disorder among class-IV workers of tertiary care centres in central India

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are typically characterized by persistent pain and limitations in mobility and dexterity. They are highly prevalent and are the leading cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability. Providing stress-management training, encouraging regular breaks, and offering physical therapy and other treatments can alleviate the physical symptoms of work-related MSDs (WMSDs). Objectives were to assess the prevalence and patterns of WMSDs among class-IV workers and to identify the key factors contributing to WMSDs. Methods: The study was conducted at the Hamidia Hospital and Gandhi Medical College Bhopal. 350 class IV workers were selected using random sampling, and data were collected by direct interview. Results: Among all housekeeping staff, 82% showed symptoms of MSDs. Pain was predominantly reported in the lower back (49.3%), followed by the lower leg (32.9%). Among the 350 participants, 72 experienced mental stress manifested as difficulty falling asleep, restlessness, and anxiety. Gutkha, followed by smoking, was the most common substance abused by Class IV workers, which correlated with musculoskeletal pain. Participants with a BMI<18.5 and 25-29.99 reported more MSD pain compared to those with a normal BMI (18.5-24.99). Additionally, workers who did not exercise or exercised only 1-2 times a month experienced higher levels of pain. Conclusions: Class IV workers face physically demanding tasks, so regular breaks should be advised. Promoting literacy can aid in the prevention and early detection of MSDs. Basic interventions and counselling are essential to prevent chronic pain, mental stress, and the development of MSDs.

Analysis of Intelligent Equipment Usage for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention in Miners - Shanxi Province, China, 2023.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent in the workforce and occur across various industries. Surveys show that the prevalence of WMSDs among miners is generally over 50%. High levels of intelligent equipment usage (IEU) can decrease the prevalence of WMSDs among miners by 7.49% and reduce pain by 13.69% on average. Stepwise regression analysis proved that IEU can reduce the harmful effects of workload on WMSDs. New Quality Productive Forces (NQPF) should also focus on health productivity. Disease prevention departments should consider the impact of NQPFs on occupational health and actively guide intelligent equipment design.

Start of the Season in a Seasonal Work Context: A Better Understanding of the Difficulties Experienced by Seasonal Workers in the Food Processing Industry for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

The specific period of the start of a new working season and a return to work after the off-season seems to be a critical moment for the musculoskeletal health of seasonal workers. This study aims to identify the difficulties and working conditions encountered by seasonal workers in this particular period of the working season which may increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). An in-depth ergonomic work activity study, combined with a multiple case study of eight seasonal workers from a meat processing facility, was conducted. Various interviews (n = 24) and observations of work activity, organization, and production (n = 96 h) were held at different moments (off-season, return to work at the start of the season, and during the season). Critical work situations exposing workers to WMSD risks emerged and highlighted a diversity of difficulties, such as accomplishing work activity involving strong physical strain and a significant and underestimated mental load, and having to rapidly develop new skills or re-learn working strategies after a long off-period. The study findings have implications for developing actions to prevent WMSDs that target working conditions and support a return to work for returning seasonal workers and a start of work for new seasonal workers, and to address work disability in this context.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Primary Prevention of Common Musculoskeletal Diseases.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of disability worldwide, with a growing burden across all demographics. With advancements in technology, conversational artificial intelligence (AI) platforms such as ChatGPT (OpenAI, San Francisco, CA)have become instrumental in disseminating health information.This study evaluated the effectiveness of ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4 in delivering primary prevention information for common MSDs, emphasizing that the study is focused on prevention and not on diagnosis. This mixed-methods study employed the CLEAR tool to assess the quality of responses from ChatGPT versions in terms of completeness, lack of false information, evidence support, appropriateness, and relevance. Responses were evaluated independently by two expert raters in a blinded manner. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired samples t-tests to compare the performance across versions. ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 effectively provided primary prevention information, with overall performance ranging from satisfactory to excellent. Responses for low back pain, fractures, knee osteoarthritis, neck pain, and gout received excellent scores from both versions. Additionally, ChatGPT-4 was better than ChatGPT-3.5 in terms of completeness (p = 0.015), appropriateness (p = 0.007), and relevance (p = 0.036), and ChatGPT-4 performed better across most medical conditions (p = 0.010). ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4 are effective tools for disseminating primary prevention information for common MSDs, with ChatGPT-4 showing superior performance. This study underscores the potential of AI in enhancing public health strategies through reliable and accessible health communication. Advanced models such as ChatGPT-4 can effectively contribute to the primary prevention of MSDs by delivering high-quality health information, highlighting the role of AIs in addressing the global burden of chronic diseases. It is important to note that these AI tools are intended for preventive education purposes only and not for diagnostic use. Continuous improvements are necessary to fully harness the potential of AI in preventive medicine. Future studies should explore other AI platforms, languages, and secondary and tertiary prevention measures to maximize the utility of AIs in global health contexts.

Population-specific equations of age-related maximum handgrip force: a comprehensive review.

The measurement of handgrip force responses is important in many aspects, for example: to complement neurological assessments, to investigate the contribution of muscle mass in predicting functional outcomes, in setting realistic treatment goals, evaluating rehabilitation strategies. Normative data about handgrip force can assist the therapist in interpreting a patient's results compared with healthy individuals of the same age and gender and can serve as key decision criteria. In this context, establishing normative values of handgrip strength is crucial. Hence, the aim of the this study is to develop a tool that could be used both in rehabilitation and in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This tool takes the form of population-specific predictive equations, which express maximum handgrip force as a function of age. In order to collect data from studies measuring maximum handgrip force, three databases were searched. The search yielded 5,058 articles. Upon the removal of duplicates, the screening of abstracts and the full-text review of potentially relevant articles, 143 publications which focussed on experimental studies on various age groups were considered as fulfilling the eligibility criteria. A comprehensive literature review produced 1,276 mean values of maximum handgrip force. A meta-analysis resulted in gender- and world region-specific (general population, USA, Europe and Asia) equations expressing maximum force as a function of age. The equations showed quantitative differences and trends in maximum handgrip force among age, gender and national groups. They also showed that values of maximum handgrip force are about 40% higher for males than for females and that age-induced decrease in force differs between males and females, with a proved 35% difference between the ages of 35 and 75. The difference was lowest for the 60-64 year olds and highest for the 18-25 year-olds. The equations also showed that differences due to region are smaller than those due to age or gender. The equations that were developed for this study can be beneficial in setting population-specific thresholds for rehabilitation programmes and workstation exposure. They can also contribute to the modification of commonly used methods for assessing musculoskeletal load and work-related risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders by scaling their limit values.

Application of IMU Sensors for Real-Time Posture Monitoring and Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention in Construction Workers

Application of IMU Sensors for Real-Time Posture Monitoring and Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention in Construction Workers

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in oral health professionals: an umbrella review protocol.

The objective of this review is to synthesize the evidence on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, and preventive and management interventions for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in oral health professionals. Oral health professionals face a considerable risk of developing work-related MSD due to the nature of their work. These disorders can lead to loss of employment, reduced job quality, increased occupational injuries, and early retirement. They can also lead to significant financial burdens for employers and society. This umbrella review will include systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have oral health professionals as a population group and address at least one of the following topics: the prevalence or incidence, risk factors, and the efficiency or effectiveness of interventions for the prevention or management of work-related MSD. A systematic search will be conducted across CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library (Ovid), Scopus, PsycINFO (Ovid), AMED Allied and Complementary Medicine (Ovid), Epistemonikos, Ergonomics Abstracts Online (EBSCOhost), and Google Scholar (first 200 articles). The search will be limited to articles published in English, with no restrictions on geographical location. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts against the inclusion criteria. The reviews will be assessed using the JBI critical appraisal instrument for systematic reviews and research syntheses, and data will be extracted from each review using a modified version of the JBI data extraction tool. A narrative summary and tables will be used to describe the review characteristics and findings. Results will be presented in a table using visual indicators (traffic light system) to represent beneficial, neutral, and negative effects with each risk factor and intervention. The GRADE approach will be used to rate the overall quality and strength of the evidence. PROSPERO CRD42023388779.

Conceptual Design of an Industrial Manipulator for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: a Participatory Approach

Conceptual Design of an Industrial Manipulator for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: a Participatory Approach

Research progress on electromyographic methods for sustained low-intensity muscle fatigue detection

Sustained low-intensity muscle fatigue (SULMF) refers to the phenomenon that skeletal muscle continues to contract at less than 10% of maximum voluntary contraction during work activities, resulting in decreased muscle contractile function, which is one of the main causes of occupational neck, shoulder, waist and back discomfort and pain symptoms. Although surface electromyography is a key physiological technique for assessing the efficiency of neuromuscular activity, its effectiveness in objectively detecting SULMF remains controversial. Therefore, this paper describes the neurophysiological mechanism and related hypotheses of SULMF, and reviews the research progress of electromyography detection indicators and detection methods of SULMF, which is of great significance for the early prevention and accurate detection of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Exercise as a means of preventing musculoskeletal problems in musicians, a systematic review

Abstract Introduction The lifetime prevalence of performance related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians is reported to reach a very high rate (93%) and many times affect the music performance, playing efficacy, the quality of their work or their career progression. It can also have a significant financial burden on the musicians as well as on the organizations/orchestras. Purpose This systematic review summarizes the evidence available from randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of exercise in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in musicians. Methods The search was performed in the PubMed database and the specialized Journal of Medical Problems of Performing Artists, Science & Medicine, Inc. until March 2022. The keywords used were decided by Mesh terms. Studies that had titles and abstracts related to exercise or prevention programs in musicians to reduce or treat PRMDs were selected for detailed analysis. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were used for the final outcome. A qualitative assessment was also carried out with the PEDro scale. Results Of the 1050 articles found, 138 were selected by title for relevance and their abstracts were studied. Of these 22 randomized studies were selected for full reading. The criteria of the systematic review were met by 7 articles, which were examined in detail. Parallel searches were conducted with different combinations of keywords to cross-reference the selected randomized studies. Three clinical studies showed a reduction in the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders and a reduction in pain and symptom intensity with a statistically significant difference. Two clinical studies have had a positive effect on physical effectiveness. A control group in one study showed significant statistical significance in aerobic capacity. The same clinical study had a positive effect on the playing performance of the instrument. Another clinical study showed reduced inability related to music performance in both groups. Three clinical studies had an educational intervention together with the exercise intervention. No clinical research was found to assess the health costs of musculoskeletal disorders in musicians. Conclusions This systematic review provided evidence for the effect of exercise training in preventing musculoskeletal disorders in musicians. Prevention programs with exercise intervention had significant clinical value such as reducing the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in intensity, frequency and pain as well as improving their functional capacity and their quality of musical performance. Additional clinical randomized control studies are necessary with a larger number of participants and duration of follow-up of the results to confirm the above findings.

Efficacy of a new protocol for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in dental hygiene students: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the efficacy of a new muscle stretching and strengthening protocol for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in dental hygiene students. Students attending the 2nd and 3rd year of a Dental Hygiene Degree Course of a University Hospital were randomly allocated into treatment group (muscle stretching and strengthening sessions) and control group (no treatment). Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), quality of life, the intensity of the pain and the Global Perceived Effect (GPE) Scale were assessed at the baseline (T0), after 4 weeks (T1) and after 16 weeks (T2). Of 37 subjects screened for eligibility, 28 patients (aged 28.25 ± 8.89 years) were enrolled and divided into treatment and control groups. The NWQ showed significant between-group differences in the following regions from T0 to T2: neck (p = 0.0003), shoulders (p = 0.0057) and lower back (p = 0.0136). In terms of pain, a significant between-group difference was reported from T2 (p < 0.001). The GPE demonstrated that the average satisfaction related to the performed treatment was 1.4 ± 0.63. The present pilot RCT demonstrated the efficacy of stretching associated with muscle strengthening in decreasing the risk of WMSD, especially for the neck, shoulders and lower back. The potential strength of this model is related to the possibility to perform stretching exercises chairside at work during scheduled breaks, in addition to complementary muscle strengthening sessions at home. Future RCTs are necessary to better investigate the role of this protocol for WMSD prevention.

What have we learned about risk assessment and interventions to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders and support work participation?

The Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health (SJWEH) was established half a century ago. This paper provides an overview of research on musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) published over these 50 years. Three themes are described: risk assessment, interventions to prevent work-related MSD, and interventions to support work participation. Finally, implications for future research are highlighted. A systematic literature search was performed for all papers on MSD published in SJWEH. Each paper was coded on several criteria including research topic, type of MSD, risk factor(s), and number of citations. Findings were tabulated, and discussions within the author team defined the main results and future research directions. The search resulted in 1056 papers, of which 474 were included. The most reported-on MSD was low-back pain (LBP, 18%) and the most reported-on work-related risk factors were physically demanding work (14%) and psychosocial factors (12%). Research has contributed to improving case definitions, refining work-related exposure criteria, and recognizing the varying importance of physical and psychosocial factors across different MSD. Research on the association between work-related risk factors and LBP continues to emerge. Effective interventions for prevention of MSD are characterised by sufficient exposure reduction, while supporting work participation requires integrating health care, with multidisciplinary actions directed at factors involving the worker, employer, and workplace. Research has provided valuable insights into risk assessment, interventions for preventing work-related MSD, and supporting work participation. Intervention studies remain warranted and new areas include adopting whole-system approaches to prevent work-related MSD and promoting the concept of musculoskeletal health.

Musculoskeletal Diseases as the Most Prevalent Component of Multimorbidity: A Population-Based Study.

Background/Objectives: Due to their high frequency, common risk factors, and similar pathogenic mechanisms, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are more likely to occur with other chronic illnesses, making them a "component disorder" of multimorbidity. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of multimorbidity and to identify the most common clusters of diagnosis within multimorbidity states, with the primary hypothesis that the most common clusters of multimorbidity are MSDs. Methods: The current study employed data from a population-based 2019 European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). Multimorbidity was defined as a ≥2 diagnosis from the list of 17 chronic non-communicable diseases, and to define clusters, the statistical method of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was performed. Results: Out of 13,178 respondents, multimorbidity was present among 4398 (33.4%). The HCA method yielded six multimorbidity clusters representing the most common diagnoses. The primary multimorbidity cluster, which was prevalent among both genders, age groups, incomes per capita, and statistical regions, consisted of three diagnoses: (1) lower spine deformity or other chronic back problem (back pain), (2) cervical deformity or other chronic problem with the cervical spine, and (3) osteoarthritis. Conclusions: Given the influence of musculoskeletal disorders on multimorbidity, it is imperative to implement appropriate measures to assist patients in relieving the physical discomfort and pain they endure. Public health information, programs, and campaigns should be utilized to promote a healthy lifestyle. Policymakers should prioritize the prevention of MSDs by encouraging increased physical activity and a healthy diet, as well as focusing on improving functional abilities.

Biomechanical Posture Analysis in Healthy Adults with Machine Learning: Applicability and Reliability.

Posture analysis is important in musculoskeletal disorder prevention but relies on subjective assessment. This study investigates the applicability and reliability of a machine learning (ML) pose estimation model for the human posture assessment, while also exploring the underlying structure of the data through principal component and cluster analyses. A cohort of 200 healthy individuals with a mean age of 24.4 ± 4.2 years was photographed from the frontal, dorsal, and lateral views. We used Student's t-test and Cohen's effect size (d) to identify gender-specific postural differences and used the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) to assess the reliability of this method. Our findings demonstrate distinct sex differences in shoulder adduction angle (men: 16.1° ± 1.9°, women: 14.1° ± 1.5°, d = 1.14) and hip adduction angle (men: 9.9° ± 2.2°, women: 6.7° ± 1.5°, d = 1.67), with no significant differences in horizontal inclinations. ICC analysis, with the highest value of 0.95, confirms the reliability of the approach. Principal component and clustering analyses revealed potential new patterns in postural analysis such as significant differences in shoulder-hip distance, highlighting the potential of unsupervised ML for objective posture analysis, offering a promising non-invasive method for rapid, reliable screening in physical therapy, ergonomics, and sports.

Reliability and validity tests of the Chinese version of the Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) in tumor survivors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese-translated Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) for the assessment of locomotive syndrome (LS) in individuals surviving malignancies. Methods393 tumor survivors at a general hospital in China were recruited. The Chinese version of GLFS-25 was utilized to conduct a cross-sectional survey to ascertain the tool's efficacy in measuring LS in this cohort. The scale's validity was examined through content, structural and discriminant validity assessments, while its reliability was investigated by determining the internal consistency (via Cronbach's α coefficient) and test-retest reliability (via intragroup correlation coefficient, ICC). ResultsThe Chinese-adapted GLFS-25 demonstrated a robust scale-level content validity index of 0.94, while item-level content validity indices ranged from 0.83 to 1.00 across individual items. The suitability of the scale for structural validity assessment was confirmed via exploratory factor analysis, yielding a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of 0.930 and a significant Bartlett's test of sphericity (χ2 = 3217.714, df = 300, P < 0.001). Subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) extracted four distinct factors: Social Activity Engagement, Daily Living Ability, Pain Experience and Physical Mobility. These factors accounted for 72.668 % of the variance, indicating substantial construct validity for measuring LS among this population. CFA supported the model's fit with the following indices: χ2/df = 1.559, RMSEA = 0.077, GFI = 0.924, CFI = 0.941, NFI = 0.919, and TLI = 0.933. The factor loadings for the four factors ranged from 0.771 to 0.931, indicating the items corresponding to the four factors effectively represented the constructs they were designed to measure. The correlation coefficients among the four factors were between 0.306 and 0.469, all lower than the square roots of the respective AVEs (0.838–0.867). This suggests a moderate correlation among the four factors and a distinct differentiation between them, indicating the Chinese version of the GLFS-25 exhibits strong discriminant validity in Chinese tumor survivors. Reliability testing revealed a high Cronbach's α coefficient for the overall scale at 0.961, with the subscales yielding coefficients of 0.751, 0.836, 0.930, and 0.952. The overall ICC was determined to be 0.935, with subscale ICCs ranging from 0.857 to 0.941, reinforcing the scale's reliability in this context. ConclusionsThe Chinese version of the GLFS-25 exhibits strong reliability and validity for the assessment of LS in tumor survivors. It may serve as a diagnostic tool for LS, contributing to the prevention and management of musculoskeletal disorders and enhancing the prognosis for this patient population.

Musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial risks among electricians

IntroductionThere is a growing concern about the link between musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and psychosocial risk (PSR) among electricians. Both MSD and PSR represent a threat to the electrician’s health, quality of life and productivity.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the link between PSR and MSD among electricians.MethodsThe study was conducted in a group from an electricity society. Data were gathered between January-June 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire evaluating socio-professional characteristics, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire during the previous year and the validated French version of the questionnaire KARASEK.ResultsOur study included 68 male electricians. The mean age was 39.2 ± 10.3 years. The average job tenure was 16± 11.4 years. According to the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, 50% of participants experienced pain during the last 12 months.About half of the electricians had high psychological demand (48.5%), 63.2% had a low latitude, and 76.5% had low social support. According to the Karasek model, tense electricians accounted for 26.5% and assets 22.1%. MSDs were associated with high psychological demand at work (p = 0.02).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that PSR and MSDs are associated among electricians and are highly prevalent. They represent an important concern of the occupational and safety health system. The prevention of MSD should take into account the specific working conditions of electricians to reduce their exposure to psychosocial risk factors in the workplace.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Improved REBA: deep learning based rapid entire body risk assessment for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders

Preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is crucial in reducing their impact on individuals and society. However, the existing mainstream 2D image-based approach is insufficient in capturing the complex 3D movements and postures involved in many occupational tasks. To address this, an improved deep learning-based rapid entire body assessment (REBA) method has been proposed. The method takes working videos as input and automatically outputs the corresponding REBA score through 3D pose reconstruction. The proposed method achieves an average precision of 94.7% on real-world data, which is comparable to that of ergonomic experts. Furthermore, the method has the potential to be applied across a wide range of industries as it has demonstrated good generalisation in multiple scenarios. The proposed method offers a promising solution for automated and accurate risk assessment of WMSDs, with implications for various industries to ensure the safety and well-being of workers.

Role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in musculoskeletal disorders

Inflammasomes are innate immune sensors and receptors that play key pathological roles in the development and progression of numerous diseases. Recent studies have shown that NLRP3 inflammasomes are critical in the pathology of diseases with a high impact on public health, such as musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders, mainly caused or aggravated by work and the surrounding environment, are locomotor system disorders such as muscles, joints, bones, as well as diseases associated with neurological and circulatory system injuries. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes can induce inflammation and pyroptosis, leading to further bodily harm. Therefore, investigating the mechanism and function of NLRP3 inflammasomes, holds great significance and importance for the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. This review provides a summary of the activation pathway and mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasomes, and analyzes the role in musculoskeletal disorders such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis and arthritis, with the aim to facilitate the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.