Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire Research Articles

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.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among weavers working in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: cross-sectional study design

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common public health problems throughout the world. It is a major cause of occupational injury, illness, and disability that leads to an increased rate of sick leave, financial costs for both individuals and society and the health care system. Weavers are among the populations exposed to musculoskeletal disorders due to a lack of occupational safety, health services, and poor working conditions. Yet, little is known about WMSD among weavers in Africa particularly in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among weavers.MethodA multi-centered institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia among 424 weavers with a response rate of 97.7%. Participants were recruited randomly after proportional allocation was done for each institution and face-to-face interviews were employed to collect data using a well-structured questionnaire adopted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and different literature. The data were entered into Epidata and analyzed using SPSS version (Choobineh A, Lahmi M, Shahnavaz H, Khani Jazani R, Hosseini M. Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 10:157–68, 2004). Variables with a P-value < 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Finally, variables with an AOR, a 95% confidence interval, and a P-value of < 0.05 were reported.ResultThe annual prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among weavers was 76.3% [CI = 72.2 to 80.2%]. Longer working hours [AOR = 3.48, CI = (1.96–6.21)] lack of back support during sitting [AOR = 2.50 (1.293–4.480)], having repetitive movement in weaving [AOR = 4.11(2.029–8.324)], attaining awkward posture [AOR = 3.37(1.875–6.059)] and job stress [AOR = 4.37(2.447–7.816)] was significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.ConclusionsThis study revealed a high prevalence of WMSDs among weavers. Our study findings reported that longer working hours, lack of back support during sitting, having repetitive movement in weaving attaining awkward posture, and having job stress were significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Ergonomic benefit using heads-up display compared to conventional surgical microscope in Japanese ophthalmologists.

Occupational musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in ophthalmic surgeons and can impact surgeons' well-being and productivity. Heads-up displays may reduce ergonomic stress compared to conventional microscopes. This cross-sectional, non-interventional study compared ergonomic experience between heads-up display and conventional ocular microscopes. The study protocol was approved by the independent ethics committee and nonprofit organization MINS Institutional Review Board. An online questionnaire was distributed to a sample of ophthalmic surgeons in Japan with experience operating with heads-up display. The questionnaire captured surgeon-specific variables, the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and custom questions to compare heads-up display and conventional microscope and understand long-term impacts of musculoskeletal disorders. Analysis was conducted on responses from 67 surgeons with a mean 25 years of practice and 2.7 years using heads-up display. Many surgeons agreed or strongly agreed that heads-up display reduced the severity (40%) and frequency (40%) of pain and discomfort, improved posture (61%), and improved overall comfort (61%). Of respondents who experienced asthenopia (n = 59) or pain/discomfort during operation (n = 61), 54% reported improvement in asthenopia and 72% reported feeling less pain/discomfort since using heads-up display. Overall, 69% reported preference for heads-up display. This study provides novel data on musculoskeletal disorders and the long-term impacts of ergonomic strain reported by ophthalmologists building on existing literature demonstrating ergonomic and other advantages of heads-up display. Future studies with objective ergonomic assessment are warranted to validate these findings.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Lower Back Pain and Neck Pain Among Medical Students at Al-Baha University.

Introduction In recent years, the increased use of smartphones has adversely affected students, leading to issues like musculoskeletal pain. Therefore, our objective was to assess the correlation between smartphone addiction and neck and lower back pain. Methodology An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. The Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV) was used to measure the level of smartphone addiction while the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was utilized to evaluate musculoskeletal pain. Results Smartphone addiction was prevalent in 72% of the participants (n = 293). Significantly, lower back pain was associated with smartphone addiction (p-value = 0.004). However, none of the demographic characteristics were associated with neck or lower back pain (p-value > 0.05). Students in clinical years had a higher risk of neck pain than those in an internship (p-value = 0.048). Conclusion Almost two-thirds of the students were addicted to smartphones, with a significant association with lower back pain. Students addicted to their smartphones had a higher risk of developing lower back pain, while clinical-year students had a higher risk of developing neck pain. It's important to raise awareness about the health and safety dangers linked to smartphones and other devices.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain in Hospital Employees

Aim: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common health problems in the community. They lead to various levels of pain, loss of function, and deterioration in quality of life. Our aim is to evaluate work-related musculoskeletal pain in hospital employees and factors that could prevent this problem. Material and Method: Female and male hospital employees working in different departments of our hospital participated in the study. Demographic data, work and working environment, ergonomic training, and musculoskeletal pain were queried. The severity of pain in those experiencing it was assessed using the visual analog scale and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: A total of 275 individuals participated in the study. 72.4% of the participants were female and 27.6% were male. 79.3% of the participants reported musculoskeletal pain. Pain was most commonly (71.3%) observed in the 35-54 age group and was of moderate severity. According to the frequency of pain, it was most common in the back (61.5%), followed by the lower back (55.6%) and neck (53.5%) regions. The presence and severity of pain were more pronounced in females (p

Work-related musculoskeletal complaints: risk factors and impact on work productivity among university administrative employees

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a significant workplace problem leading to loss of productivity and disability. Administrative workers perform computer-based tasks for long periods. Consequently, they are at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study was to explore the frequency and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal complaints and their impact on work productivity among administrative employees of Suez Canal University, Egypt.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 administrative employees through simple random sampling. Data were collected by an interview questionnaire including sociodemographic, work-related data, ergonomic and psychological risk factors, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ).ResultsThe frequency of work-related musculoskeletal complaints in at least one anatomical region over the past year was 74.7%. Neck (47.1%), lower back (40.7%), and shoulder (36.3%) were the most reported sites of complaints. Risk factors significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal complaints were gender, age, physical activity, work experience, workplace stress, sustained body position, awkward posture, and inadequate rest breaks. Logistic regression revealed that older age (OR = 1.039, p = 0.023), being female (OR = 2.175, p = 0.011), and not having adequate rest breaks (OR = 1.979, p = 0.019) were significant predictors for the occurrence of WMSDs. The risk factors of absenteeism include gender, age, marital status, educational level, physical activity, BMI, work experience, and musculoskeletal complaints.ConclusionMusculoskeletal problems were highly prevalent among administrative employees. Being female and not having adequate rest breaks were significant predictors for the occurrence of WMSDs. Ergonomic interventions and improvement of working conditions are recommended to reduce WMSDs.

Reducing musculoskeletal disorders in iron ore mine operators: A fuzzy-based intervention approach.

This study focuses on evaluating the exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and association of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with various risk factors among dumper operators in the mining industry. Despite the issue's significance, prior research has been limited. The study introduces a novel fuzzy-based approach for identifying, selecting, and prioritizing safety measures to mitigate MSD risks. Data collection comprised face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) scoring for posture assessment, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire for assessment of MSD prevalence. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyse the contributing risk factors to MSDs and WBV exposure. These risk factors formed the basis for a practical approach to select appropriate safety measures based on fuzzy based aggregation method of expert's judgment aimed at mitigating the risk of MSDs. The results revealed that the risk factors such as poor work posture, WBV exposure and poor seat design were significantly associated with neck (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 4.81), upper limb and shoulder (aOR = 3.28), upper back (aOR = 5.09), and lower back pain (aOR = 3.67) at p < 0.05. Using these factors to formulate safety measures to reduce MSD risk, the minimization of sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation in designing the haul roads, scheduled maintenance practices, and ergonomic seat design were found as important safety measures in this study. Our unique methodological approach in occupational health research could be highly beneficial for tailoring safety measures at the unit level with minimal effort.

Physical and Environmental Work Exposures and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Beekeepers: A Descriptive Study

Purpose: Beekeepers are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders while working, though research is scarce in this field. This study assessed beekeepers' physical and environmental occupational exposure and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 123 male individuals who had been actively beekeeping for a minimum of one year. Beekeepers were administered a survey that included demographic and occupational questions. Beekeepers responded to the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and questions related to beekeeping activity from the Quick Exposure Check. Results: The mean age of the beekeepers was 45.4±12.3 years. The present study revealed that migratory beekeepers encountered a greater number of demanding circumstances in comparison to stationary beekeepers (p

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Training on Ergonomic Risks of Measuring Blood Pressure.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) occur as a result of long-term exposure to inappropriate working postures and repetitive use of body postures, leading to harmful consequences for patients, employees, and employers. Evaluating distinct working postures can contribute to effective interventions. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine ergonomic risks of MSDs during repeated blood pressure measurement processes and to evaluate the effectiveness of a training on this topic. Methods: A pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design studied 64 nurses in a training and research hospital in Turkey. Participants were evaluated for the prevalence and risk of MSDs using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire Extended Version and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Checklist, and by photographing them performing the procedure. Nurses with high risk for MSDs received an ergonomics training program and were followed up twice in 3 months. Results: Reduction in prevalence of MSDs in neck, shoulder, and hip/thigh areas, and in mean REBA scores after the training were statistically significant. Conclusion: Nurses should be trained about correct posture for specific high-risk activities that may cause MSDs, and offered exercise programs that support the musculoskeletal system.

Prevalence and determinants of low back pain among residents in Abha City, Saudi Arabia.

Healthcare work is a major risk for having musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including low back pain (LBP). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LBP and define its associated risk factors among resident physicians. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among all resident physicians of all specialties in Abha city during the period from July 2020 to September 2020. Data were collected using an online pre-structured data collection tool. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) (back pain section) was applied to assess the effect of LBP on the residents' ability to perform job duties effectively. A total of 312 resident physicians responded. Their age ranged between 25 and 41 years. Males represented 57.7% of them. The prevalence of LBP was 64.7%. The most common reported aggravating factors for LBP were working in uncomfortable posture (73.3%), standing for long periods (64.4%), and long sitting sessions (51.5%). Regarding the pain-relieving factors, sleeping ranked first (60.4%), followed by taking analgesics (48.5%) and maintaining a good posture (35.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that obese subjects were at higher risk than underweight subjects to develop LBP (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =6.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-30.34, P = 0.025). Compared to resident physicians without family history of back pain, those with such history were at almost 4-fold higher risk of developing LBP (AOR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.33-6.52, P < 0.001). LBP is a very prevalent problem among resident physicians, particularly obese subjects and those with family history of back pain. LBP adversely impacts the work performance of the affected physicians.

Patterns of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Staff Nurses in the Emergency Department in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The physically demanding and high-stress environment of Emergency Departments (EDs) significantly contributes to the heightened risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among ED nurses. Despite this known association, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the prevalence rates and contributing factors within ED settings in Saudi Arabia, necessitating further investigation.Purpose: This study delves into the prevalence and potential predictors of MSDs among nurses in this critical healthcare setting.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2023 using convenience sampling of 177 ED nurses across 16 public hospitals in Hail, Saudi Arabia. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was employed, with SPSS analyses covering frequency and percentage of pain prevalence via cross-tabulation, and logistic regression to identify risk factors.Results: Over the past year, 68.9% of participants reported lower back pain affecting normal activities in 55.4% of cases. Neck pain was more likely in individuals aged 20-29 and former smokers accounting for 47.6% of the variance (p=0.001). Shorter shifts under 8 hours reduced neck pain risk, whereas a schedule with 50% of night shifts heightened the risk, contributing to 28.4% of the variance (p=0.001). Nurses aged 40-49 and those with significant childcare duties faced higher shoulder pain risk (p=0.024), and adult caregiving duties was linked to upper back pain explaining 40.6% of the variance (p=0.017). No significant links were found for other musculoskeletal pains.Conclusion: The study reveals a significant prevalence of MSDs among the evaluated ED nurses, significantly influenced by specific demographic and work-related factors. Addressing these through ergonomic interventions, optimal scheduling, and wellness programs is crucial for nurse well-being and patient care. Future research should focus on creating holistic wellness programs that support nurses musculoskeletal health.

Assessment and evaluation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nuclear medicine professionals in India: A cross-sectional study.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a severe occupational health issue among medical radiation practitioners. It is mostly linked to personal protective wear, working posture, tools employed and ergonomics. To assess and evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders among nuclear medicine professionals (NMP) in India. An online survey was distributed to 455 NMP throughout India between November 2021 and March 2022 covering the demographic characteristics and questions for evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Participants with any pre-existing musculoskeletal disorder or trauma were excluded. Descriptive statistics summarized the data from the demographics, discomfort, aches and work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Chi-square test was used to examine the association between the obtained values. 91 out of 124 respondents were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results shows that there is a significant association between the height of the individual and neck pain, body mass index and elbows pain, age and low back pain, experience in the current work and upper back pain, the weight of the individual and knee pain, use of mobile lead screens and shoulder pain, use of gonad shield, trouble in the ankles and use of lead screens, and QC phantoms for gamma camera / PET and wrists/hands pain. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among NMP are resulting from factors of individual demographic variables (such as age, height, weight, body mass index), years of experience at the current workplace and of using instruments in their work area.

The prevalence, patterns and factors associated with work related musculoskeletal symptoms among surgical residents in Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: In the medical sector, surgeons work in an environment that is not ergonomically ideal, and many suffer work-related musculoskeletal symptoms that may result in reduced quality of life, disability, and diminished career longevity. While data exists on musculoskeletal symptoms in practising surgeons, this is not the case for trainee surgeons. Objective: To determine the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among surgical residents working in Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done to determine the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among surgical residents working in Kenyatta National Hospital. An electronic questionnaire based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was sent to all participants via electronic messaging. Results: Two hundred and seventeen responses were received. The overall prevalence of workrelated musculoskeletal symptoms was 93%. The most commonly affected anatomic region was the lower back (68%) followed by the neck (47%). Residents from the thematic units of urology, paediatric surgery and general surgery had a 100% prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Residents from plastic surgery and ophthalmology units had the lowest prevalence rates (83% and 84% respectively). Neck symptoms were associated with using loupes (OR, 2.9, p=0.02) and microscopes (OR, 2.2, p=0.05). Female gender was associated with wrist/hand symptoms (OR, 3.84, p=0.01). Increasing age was associated with symptoms in the neck (OR, 1.22 p=0.002) and lower back (OR, 1.15 p=0.03). No association was found between overall prevalence and thematic unit (p=0.13), year of study (p=0.903) or hours in theatre (p=0.97). Conclusion and recommendations: Surgical residents experience a significantly high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Urology, paediatric surgery and general surgery residents had the highest overall prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms.

Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors affecting emergency medical services professionals in Jordan: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesEmergency medical services (EMSs) personnel are at high risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). However, no studies have yet investigated the prevalence and effect of these disorders on the...

The effect of commuting time on burnout: the mediation effect of musculoskeletal pain

ObjectivesThis study explores the relationship among commuting, musculoskeletal (MS) pain, and burnout.MethodsAn observational and cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical university-affiliated hospital in Taichung, Taiwan in 2021. The two questionnaire was used and they included the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). All participants were invited to complete the cross-sectional survey. A multiple linear regression was assessed correlations between commuting, MS pain, and burnout.ResultsAfter excluding those with missing data, 1,615 healthcare workers were deemed valid as research participants. In multiple linear regression, commuting time longer than 50 min was associated with personal burnout (PB) in the presence of adjusted confounders; however, long commuting time was not associated with work-related burnout (WB). Furthermore, the choice of commuting method did not affect PB or WB. Notably, both neck and shoulder pain (NBSP) and ankle pain (BAP) increase the risk of PB and WB. The mediation analysis demonstrated that NBSP is a mediating factor, increasing the level of PB and WB for commuting times longer than 50 min.ConclusionsHealthcare workers who commute for more than 50 min should be considered part of a high-risk group for burnout and musculoskeletal pain. They should also be provided with resources and programs focused on burnout prevention and MS pain relief.

Evaluation of the effect of corrective exercise intervention on musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue and working memory of office workers

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of corrective exercise intervention (corrective exercise reminding and training software) on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), fatigue, posture and working memory among office workers. Methods: A total of 66 office workers participated in the present study. Data collection was carried out using questionnaires (including the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, multidimensional fatigue inventory and Borg rating scale), direct observations of work postures using rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and rapid office strain assessment, and the n-back test. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups (intervention and control) in terms of the severity of musculoskeletal discomfort after the intervention. There was a significant decrease in the mean score of trunk posture and the total RULA score in the intervention group after the intervention. The severity of perceived discomfort in all areas except the knee declined during the intervention. There was also a significant difference in physical and mental fatigue scores before and after the intervention. There was a significant difference in the accuracy score of office workers after the intervention compared to before the intervention. Conclusions: Overall, the results confirm the effectiveness of this low-cost, simple and easy-to-use ergonomic intervention.

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

Low back pain and perceived psychological workload among electricians

IntroductionLow back pain (LBP) is a serious threat to electricians. It is well known that LBP is associated with physical strain. But the impact of psychological workload on the occurrence of LBP needs further investigation.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the link between LBP and perceived psychological workload among electricians.MethodsThe study was conducted with a sample of workers from a Tunisian Electricity society. Data were gathered between January-June 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire including socio-professional characteristics and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire during the last 12 months and the last 7 days. To assess the perceived workload, we used the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). In this study, we evaluated raw NASA-TLX scores.Results Our 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, 32.4% of participants reported low back pain during the last 12 months. Thirty participants (19.1%) had low back pain during the last 7 days. The mean score of mental demand, physical demand, performance, effort, frustration level and temporal demand were respectively 88.2±14.3, 61.1±24, 84.8±13.3, 82.6±14.5, 35.8±29.2 and 60.4±28.8. The frustration level was associated with the presence of LBP during the last 12 months and the last 7 days (p&lt;0.05).Conclusions From the results of this study, we conclude that LBP was associated with the perceived psychological workload. Hence, the prevention of LBP should go through the improvement of work conditions to enhance the mental health of the electricians.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Low back pain and psychological distress according to the job tenure among electricians

IntroductionLow back pain (LBP) is common among electricians caused by work conditions. Even when symptoms are short-term and not medically serious, LBP can be associated with psychological distress.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the link between LBP and psychological distress according to the job tenure among electricians.Methods The study was conducted in a group from a Tunisian Electricity society. Data were gathered between January-June 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire including socio-professional characteristics, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire during the last 12 months and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Our population was divided into two groups according to job tenure. The first group (G1) consisted of electricians with less than ten years of job tenure and the second (G2) consisted of electricians with more than ten years of seniority.ResultsG1 consisted of 10 participants with a mean age of 30.6 ± 6.7 years and with average job tenure of 3.3 ± 1.1 years. G2 consisted of 64 participants with a mean age of 40.7 ± 10.3 years and average job tenure of 17.4 ± 10.9 years. According to the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, LBP during the last 12 months was present in the first and the second group in 30.8% and 14.3% of participants, respectively.The proportion of respondents with high levels of psychological distress (K6 score of 13 or greater) in the first and the second groups was 10 % and 9.4% of participants, respectively. The presence of low back pain during the last 12 months was significantly associated with a high score of K6 in the second group (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsFrom the results of this study, we conclude that LBP was associated with psychological distress when the job tenure is high. Therefore, the prevention of LBP should go through programmes to build ergonomically safe working conditions to enhance the mental health of electricians.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Modification of the Revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Lifting Equation to Determine the Individual Manual Lifting Risk in Malaysia's Manufacturing Industry.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) established the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (RNLE) for manual lifting risk assessment. The objectives of this study were to determine the characteristics of physical factors using the RNLE and to explore additional factors to RNLE by modifying it to an Individual Lifting Equation (ILE). This cross-sectional study was conducted in the manufacturing industry of three states in Malaysia among manual lifting workers. A questionnaire was administered, which comprised the sociodemographic characteristics and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) assessing low back pain (LBP). The RNLE dataset includes a load constant and six manual lifting variables collected from observational ergonomic risk assessment. The RNLE was modified to ILE by incorporating age, gender, and BMI. The equations' Lifting Index (LI) computed provides an overall manual lifting risk estimate. There were 165 participants, with a mean age of 28 years, and 108 (65.5%) were male. Most participants had a BMI within the normal range (60 (36.4%)) or were classified as overweight (54 (32.7%)). The lifting horizontal location showed the highest risk estimates, with the lowest meanmultiplier value of 0.55. In contrast, age and BMI had the lowest risk estimates, with mean multiplier values of 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. Among the participants, LI values of one or less, indicating very low risk, were observed in 58 (35.1%) for RNLE and 39 (23.6%) for ILE. Additionally, RNLE and ILE showed figures of 11 (6.7%) and 20 (12.1%), respectively, signifying a very high risk of LI exceeding three. Studying the lifting factors and equation multipliers from RNLE is critical for evaluating the risk estimates of manual lifting. Exploring the ILE based on individual characteristics is appropriate to support the ergonomic program. Further study is needed to validate the ILE as an accurate screening tool for determining LBP risk estimates.