Musculoskeletal Symptoms In Workers Research Articles

Sociodemographic and labor conditions and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in workers in a market in a Colombian municipality.

IntroductionAlthough informal employment is increasing, there is still little evidence of musculoskeletal symptoms in workers with precarious jobs in marketplaces and of how these symptoms are related to their labor conditions and risks.ObjectiveTo identify sociodemographic and labor conditions and ergonomic risks associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in workers from a marketplace in a Colombian municipality in 2017.MethodsCross-sectional study of a 2017 census of 194 workers. A survey was applied, and labor and environmental records were collected. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed, with statistical tests with 95% confidence level.ResultsWomen (56.7%) and workers older than 30 years (75.4%) predominated; 90.7% of participants worked 8 hours a day or more; 52.8% worked from 1 to 5 days a week; and 33.9% had been working in the profession for > 20 years. Moreover, 86.6% had semi-stationary sales position; 43.8% were overweight, and 18.8% obese. Also, 60.6% presented with some type of musculoskeletal symptom, the most prevalent of which was joint pain (37.7%). Selling meat (PRA = 2.36), merchandise/pots (PRA = 1.40), harvest/perishable products (PRA = 1.26), and working from 8 to 11 hours a day (PRA = 1.76) explained higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Conversely, moving (PAA = 0.5) and lifting (PRA = 0.75) heavy objects explained lower prevalence of these symptoms.ConclusionsGreater musculoskeletal symptoms were related to older age, lower schooling, fewer days of work, working from 8 to 11 hours, and selling meat, merchandise/pots, and harvest/perishable products. These conditions, once identified, will facilitate promotion and prevention actions to improve the living and health conditions of marketplace workers.

Effects of an Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Health Program on Workers With Neck/Shoulder Pain/Stiffness and Low Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundMusculoskeletal symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain are common health problems in the working population. They are the leading causes of presenteeism (employees being physically present at work but unable to be fully engaged). Recently, digital interventions have begun to be used to manage health but their effectiveness has not yet been fully verified, and adherence to such programs is always a problem.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the improvements in musculoskeletal symptoms in workers with neck/shoulder stiffness/pain and low back pain after the use of an exercise-based artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted interactive health promotion system that operates through a mobile messaging app (the AI-assisted health program). We expected that this program would support participants’ adherence to exercises.MethodsWe conducted a two-armed, randomized, controlled, and unblinded trial in workers with either neck/shoulder stiffness/pain or low back pain or both. We recruited participants with these symptoms through email notifications. The intervention group received the AI-assisted health program, in which the chatbot sent messages to users with the exercise instructions at a fixed time every day through the smartphone’s chatting app (LINE) for 12 weeks. The program was fully automated. The control group continued with their usual care routines. We assessed the subjective severity of the neck and shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain of the participants by using a scoring scale of 1 to 5 for both the intervention group and the control group at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention by using a web-based form. We used a logistic regression model to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of the intervention group to achieve to reduce pain scores with those of the control group, and the ORs of the subjective assessment of the improvement of the symptoms compared to the intervention and control groups, which were performed using Stata software (version 16, StataCorp LLC).ResultsWe analyzed 48 participants in the intervention group and 46 participants in the control group. The adherence rate was 92% (44/48) during the intervention. The participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in the severity of the neck/shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain compared to those in the control group (OR 6.36, 95% CI 2.57-15.73; P<.001). Based on the subjective assessment of the improvement of the pain/stiffness at 12 weeks, 36 (75%) out of 48 participants in the intervention group and 3 (7%) out of 46 participants in the control group showed improvements (improved, slightly improved) (OR 43.00, 95% CI 11.25-164.28; P<.001).ConclusionsThis study shows that the short exercises provided by the AI-assisted health program improved both neck/shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain in 12 weeks. Further studies are needed to identify the elements contributing to the successful outcome of the AI-assisted health program.Trial RegistrationUniversity hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) 000033894; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000038307.

Predicting musculoskeletal symptoms in workers of a manufacturing company

Background. Musculoskeletal symptoms are the leading factor responsible for sickness absence. Factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal symptoms must be identified and addressed. Objective. To investigate the 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by body regions, and assess the contribution of individual, lifestyle and occupational risk factors to the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods. The sample comprised 202 white-collar and blue-collar workers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed with the Nordic questionnaire, and physical activity level and sitting time with the international physical activity questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the associations between individual, lifestyle and occupational category factors and musculoskeletal symptoms. Results. The 7-day prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms was 41.6% (n = 84). The highest prevalence of symptoms was reported in the lower back (18.8%), followed by the wrists/hands (17.3%), neck (15.8%), shoulder (15.3%) and ankles/feet (11.4%). A significant association was found between reporting musculoskeletal symptoms and work category. In addition, musculoskeletal symptoms were reported more often by older workers. Work category was a significant predictor of pain in the lower back and shoulder regions, and gender was a significant predictor for neck pain. Conclusions. Our results emphasize the need for worksite interventions to prevent musculoskeletal symptoms in this population.

Psychosocial Risk Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among White and Blue-collar Workers at Private and Public Sectors.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate musculoskeletal and psychosocial perception and compare these conditions regarding the type of job (white or blue-collar) and the type of management model (private or public).MethodsForty-seven public white-collar (PuWC), 84 private white-collar (PrWC) and 83 blue-collar workers (PrBC) were evaluated. Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were applied to evaluate psychosocial factors. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess musculoskeletal symptoms. Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) was measured to evaluate sensory responses.ResultsAccording to JCQ, all groups were classified as active profile. There was a significant association between work engagement and workers’ categories (p < 0.05). PrWC workers had the highest scores for all the UWES domains, while PrBC had the lowest ones. PPT showed that PrBC workers had an increased sensitivity for left deltoid (p < 0.01), and for both epicondyles (p < 0.01), when compared to the other groups. PrWC workers had an increased sensitivity for both epicondyles than PuWC (right p < 0.01; left, p = 0.05). There was no significant association in the report of symptoms across the groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionThis study showed differences in psychosocial risk factors and musculoskeletal symptoms in workers engaged in different types of jobs and work organization. Personal and work-related characteristics, psychosocial factors and PPT responses were different across workers’ group. Despite all, there was no significant difference in reported symptoms across the groups, possibly indicating that the physical load is similar among the sectors.

Prevalência e fatores associados à dor musculoesquelética em profissionais de atividades sedentárias

OBJETIVOS: Verificar a prevalência dos sintomas musculoesqueléticos e investigar fatores associados, em funcionários de uma empresa de prestação de serviço de fornecimento de água e tratamento de esgoto da cidade de Bauru, São Paulo. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com 176 profissionais que exerciam atividades sedentárias e que responderam a questionários para coleta de dados das variáveis demográficas, ocupacionais e hábitos de vida, o Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho e o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares. Foram realizadas análises descritiva, bivariada e multivariada por regressão logística binária. RESULTADOS: Os trabalhadores relataram algum tipo de sintoma osteomuscular nos últimos 12 meses, principalmente na região lombar (40,3%), na coluna cervical (27,2%) e nos ombros (23,8%). Observou-se associação entre os sintomas osteomusculares e as seguintes variáveis: tipo de movimento, postura no trabalho e problemas de saúde. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que a prevalência de sintomas osteomusculares nos trabalhadores é alta e que houve uma associação significativa com os movimentos repetitivos, postura sentada e problemas de saúde, sendo, portanto, necessária uma atuação interdisciplinar, multiprofissional e intersetorial, de forma a interferir positivamente no processo de trabalho e na saúde do trabalhador.

Musculoskeletal Symptoms In Workers

Self-report measures of musculoskeletal discomfort are a widely used and generally accepted risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders in epidemiologic research. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in packing workers. A cross-sectional study of 75 workers was carried out using a modified Nordic questionnaire. Prevalence was determined with the percentage of positive responses to questions on musculoskeletal symptoms. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were the measures of association between prevalent musculoskeletal symptoms and demographic factors; they were determined with logistic regression. Most musculoskeletal symptoms in workers were from the low back (44.0%), shoulders (33.3%) and neck (32.0%). Years worked were strongly significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and pain in the neck, shoulders and wrists/hands, P< .001-.050. Hazards related to repetitive movements and discomfort postures could be reduced with stretching exercises, rotation schedules and through new engineering solutions.

Risk Factors Associated with the Reporting of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Workers at a Laboratory of Clinical Pathology

This study was conducted with the participation of 120 workers at a laboratory of clinical pathology, with the objective of determining the association of demographic factors, clinical and occupational case histories, individual characteristics, work-related stress and ergonomic workplace analysis with the following outcomes: musculoskeletal symptoms and absences from work associated with these symptoms reported by a questionnaire. Interviews were carried out in order to obtain demographic data, occupational case history and risk factors in workplaces. Data related to musculoskeletal symptoms and absences from work have been registered by means of an adaptation of the Nordic Questionnaire. The variables related to stress at work were based on the questionnaire of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Life and Work Conditions. According to the model prepared by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 120 workers' workstations have been submitted for ergonomic analysis of work. By means of multiple logistic regression, the results showed that the symptoms have been significantly associated with the previous history of rheumatic or orthopaedic disease (OR = 15.4; 95% CI, 1.7-135.7) and with movements and postures at work (OR = 13.5; 95% CI, 3.8-47.9). Absences from work due to musculoskeletal symptoms have been significantly associated with the low level of education (OR = 32.3; 95% CI, 4.9-211.8) and marital status (OR = 37.1; 95% CI, 2.3-593.9). The symptoms have been significantly associated with a previous history of rheumatic or orthopaedic disease and with inadaequate movements and postures at work. Absences from work due to musculoskeletal symptoms have been significantly associated with the workers' low level of education and marital status.