Prolonged Work Research Articles

Acute acquired comitant esotropia associated with Lhermitte–Duclos disease: a case report

BackgroundAcute acquired comitant esotropia caused by prolonged near work, such as the use of digital devices, has been frequently reported in recent years. However, intracranial examination is necessary even for patients with nonparalytic comitant esotropia. Lhermitte–Duclos disease is a rare tumor that grows in layers in the cerebellum. Among those with this disease, cases of esotropia have been reported due to abduction limitation of the eye, but there have been no reports of comitant esotropia. Here, we report the case of a young woman with acute acquired comitant esotropia who was found to have Lhermitte–Duclos disease.Case presentationA 16-year-old Japanese female patient, whose ethnicity was Asian, was referred to our hospital for acute acquired comitant esotropia. Fundus examination revealed papilledema in both eyes, and magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed a cerebellar tumor in the right cerebellum with obstructive hydrocephalus. She underwent partial tumor resection, and a histopathological diagnosis of Lhermitte–Duclos disease was obtained. However, comitant esotropia status remained unchanged, and she underwent strabismus surgery. Finally, diplopia disappeared completely.ConclusionNeurological and intracranial imaging examinations are essential when acute acquired comitant esotropia is observed. Acute acquired comitant esotropia by Lhermitte–Duclos disease did not improve with partial tumor resection and required strabismus surgery, but good surgical results were obtained.

A Guided Comparative Analysis of Fatigue Frameworks in Australasian Ambulance Services

Objective Paramedics work in a complex, unpredictable environment, subject to many external stressors including critically unwell patients, dangerous driving conditions, and prolonged shift work. Paramedic fatigue from these and other occupational demands is well documented. Ambulance services attempt to safeguard paramedics from fatigue using internal policies or procedures – a type of Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMSs). This study reviews ambulance service fatigue frameworks to understand the current situation in fatigue management in paramedicine, and to identify fatigue monitoring tools, strategies, and other components of these frameworks that are designed to protect personnel. Methods This study involved a qualitative document thematic content analysis. All eleven statutory ambulance services across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, represented by the Council of Ambulance Authorities, were contacted and invited to participate. Fatigue frameworks were collated and entered into NVivo where data extraction occurred through three a priori areas (fatigue, fatigue mitigation tools & fatigue management). Results Nine of the eleven ambulance services provided fatigue documentation, with one declining to participate, and one did not respond to invitations. Through thematic analysis and abstraction, seven themes were identified: fatigue definition, consequences of fatigue, sources of fatigue, signs and symptoms of fatigue, fatigue-related incidents, fatigue monitoring tools, and fatigue mitigation. There was also poor alignment between provided frameworks and established FRMSs components. Conclusion Our findings provide an initial insight into existing ambulance service fatigue frameworks across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. The many inconsistencies in frameworks between ambulance services highlight an opportunity to develop a more consistent, collaborative approach that follows evidence-based FRMSs guidelines.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related, Non-Specific Low Back Pain Among Physiotherapists in Ahmedabad City

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is the major public health problem across the world. Physiotherapy professionals are more prone to work related LBP because they are linked to major physical efforts such as transfers and patient handling manoeuvres, uncomfortable or prolonged working positions, trunk flexion and rotation movements and reactions to a fall or unexpected movement by the patient. LBP is a multifactorial condition. Various factors like, personal, biomechanical, psychosocial and organisational are associated with work related LBP among physiotherapists. Methodology: A link to an online self-questionnaire was sent to physiotherapists working in Ahmedabad city since last 12 months. The various patterns of practice were compared with regard to the prevalence of LBP, the total number of days with LBP during last 12 months, and the degree of exposure to organisational, biomechanical and psychosocial risk factors. Results: The result was carried out by using Microsoft excel. Results showed that there is 95% prevalence of work-related low back pain among physiotherapists specifically, those working since last 12 months. The mean score of NPRS was 7. Conclusion: There is significant prevalence of work-related low back pain among physiotherapists in Ahmedabad city. Keywords: physiotherapists, work-related, low back pain, Ahmedabad city

Psycho-emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing professionals in Ecuador: a cross-sectional study

Aim and objectivesTo analyse the levels of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and burnout among nursing professionals working in the Imbabura region of Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the contributing socio-occupational factors.BackgroundThe high demand for care of COVID-19 patients led to increased work pressure on nurses, owing to increased demands for care and shortages of medical supplies and protective equipment.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire addressed to nursing professionals who cared for COVID-19 patients.MethodsThe questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, the Spanish adaptation of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-Spanish), Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) for the evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the Spanish adaptation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS-Spanish) for burnout assessment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsOf the 782 participants, 88.6% had a high level of burnout (MBI-HSS-Spanish scale score > 27). Female nurses, nurses with eight-hour work shifts, and older professionals exhibited high levels of anxiety and depression. Prolonged working hours in COVID-19 patient care services were found to be a risk factor for burnout and post-traumatic stress.ConclusionsParticipating nurses presented with a high level of chronic work stress and exhibited signs of anxiety and depression during the period under consideration. Providing nurses with psychological support measures and performing liaison consultations will alleviate the psychological burden on nurses.Relevance to clinical practiceThe study has shown that accounting for the environments where the emotional impact is greatest and how to reduce it would not only reduce anxiety, depression, and burnout in nurses but also improve the quality of care, not only in pandemic.Patient or public contributionNurses contributed to the conduct of the study by participating in the data collection via questionaries.

Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome among Physical Therapy House Officers

Burnout syndrome is a psychological syndrome that is caused by inter-personnel stressors related to prolonged and hectic working hours in a hospital setting. It is overwhelming exhaustion feelings of cynicism, detachment from the job, and lack of accomplishment. Objective: To find the prevalence of burnout syndrome in physical therapy house officers working in the hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Methods: The selection of participants was done by the purposive method of sampling and data collection from the 161 included participants was done by using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey. The analysis of data were done by using IBM Statistics SPSS version 22.0. Results: The means and standard deviation for the three components of burnout were found to be 25.09 ± 9.56 for Emotional Exhaustion (EE), 10.093 ± 5.93 for Depersonalization (DP), and 31.248 ± 9.45 for Personal Accomplishment (PA). The mean values fall in the range of moderate level for Emotional Exhaustion (EE), moderate level for Depersonalization (DP), and low level for Personal Accomplishment (PA). Overall, an average of moderate to high levels of burnout was found in the included participants. Conclusions: It is concluded that physical therapists working in Rawalpindi and Islamabad are at high risk of developing burnout because of hectic routines and because of the reason that they are not being paid for their work

An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Strengthening or Stretching Exercises in Patients Performing Prolonged Sedentary Work with Non-Specific Lower Back Pain.

Non-specific LBP refers to back pain which arises from the spine, intervertebral discs and surrounding soft tissues in the absence of pathologic lesions. Most cases of non-specific LBP are not the result of a single injury from a high load, but the result of repetitive, cumulative micro-injuries. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of strengthening, stretching and mixed exercises in patients with non-specific LBP and their impact on pain intensity. We analysed 90 patients with non-specific LBP who performed prolonged sedentary work. Patients were qualified following history-taking, a physical examination and radiological evaluation if no pathology had been revealed on examination or on the available diagnostic imaging scans. The participants were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 individuals each. The patients in each group performed one type of exercise (strengthening, stretching, mixed) for a period of 3 months. Both before starting and on completion of the exercise period, the patients were assessed with an original questionnaire as well as the Rolland-Morris, Oswestry and SF-12 scoring systems. Strengthening exercises were the most effective in reducing pain; on completion of the exercise period, pain assessed with the NRS scale was 2 points in the strengthening exercise group, 3 points, in the mixed group, and 4 points in the stretching group. The SF-12 questionnaire showed an improvement in the patients' health (increase in "excellent" and "very good" scores from 7% to 60%). According to the Oswestry disability questionnaire, strengthening exercises were the most effective (mean disability score of 4). 1. The use of strengthening exercises in patients with non-specific LBP most effectively improves function and reduces back pain. 2. The use of stretching and mixed exercises in patients with non-specific LBP improves function and reduces back pain, but to a lesser extent than strengthening exercises.

Gerotranscendence and motivation for work past retirement age: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Usually, work beyond retirement is seen as part of the active and healthy aging paradigm. However, during the work-to-retirement transition, some people can experience activity and value re-prioritization, which might align more closely with the theory of gerotranscendence. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to explore the concept of gerotranscendence in a group of retirement-aged workers (n = 219) and determine the relationship between gerotranscendence and motivation for work beyond retirement. To collect data, the Slovenian version of a 4-point Gerotranscendence Scale with 10 items (GTS-10) was used for the first time. Principal component analysis of the GTS-10 suggested that the internal structure of the Slovenian version of the GTS-10 corresponded to the original scale. Gerotranscendence was predicted by the presence of meaningful activities in a person’s life (β = 0.184, p = .006) and uninterrupted pattern of life (β = 0.343, p < .001). The workers’ motivation for prolonged work activity was influenced by a sense of autonomy and mastery engagement in work provided (β = 0.214, p = .008) as well as by Cosmic transcendence (β = 0.192, p = .005). Workers’ social relations were characterized by enjoying being with others and meeting new people, which is contrary to the theory of gerotranscendence. The study suggests that gerotranscendence can be relevant in understanding workers’ motivation for prolonged work activity. However, there might be nuances of the concept specific to the studied population and cultural context.

Prevalence of work-related lower back pain and psychosocial impacts in dentistry

Background: In dentistry, musculoskeletal (MSK) pain creates a significant occupational health hazard jeopardizing the efficient delivery of care to the patients. There are several factors linked to the job that contribute to the higher incidence of MSK pain among dental practitioners. Uncomfortable postures and movements, frequent and prolonged working hours, the amount of time spent with each patient are some of the work-related factors of work related lower back pain which need to be addressed to prevent the disabling effects in the long run. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of work related lower back pain and significance of associated risk factors in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire were distributed to 384 dental practitioners who were working in various clinics in Saudi Arabia. This survey had four sections with questions related to demographic data, clinical practice, ergonomic principles, and psychosocial impacts. Descriptive statistics including chi-square analyses and associated significance were performed. Results: The relationship between age, years of experience and back pain among dental professionals was found to be significant with back pain lasting between 1 to 7 days in 34.2% among the participants. Older individuals with more experience tend to use back braces, analgesics, and physiotherapy more often. The cumulative prevalence of back pain in the study was 42.2%, with the majority of participants working for 2-8 hours per day. Various types of back strain injuries were observed across age groups and experience levels. Psychosocial impacts like job dissatisfaction and missed workdays were more pronounced in older individuals. The type of dental work and sitting posture also influenced back pain in specific age groups with significant associations observed. Conclusions: Our study sheds light on the significant issue of MSK pain among dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its complex nature involving physiological, ergonomic and psychosocial factors. Found high prevalence of MSK pain, especially lower back discomfort, linked to factors like sitting postures and long working hours.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on occupational satisfaction, work-related stress of nursing personnel and quality of patient care

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated adversities associated with the working conditions of healthcare professionals, contributing to the deterioration of their physical and mental health, particularly as a result of work overload and daily stressors such as long working hours, low pay, lack of professional recognition, and high risk of infection. Purpose: The investigation of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, on occupational satisfaction, on work-related stress and in the quality of care of the nursing staff. Material and Method: Articles were searched in the electronic databases Medline, PubMed central, and Google Scholar. In Medline databases, PubMed central, Google Scholar, the combination of indexing words was used: “oc¬cupational satisfaction, nurses, quality of patient care, Covid -19 pandemic”, while in the PubMed database the ad¬vanced search option was used and the key words: "work-related stress, nurses, quality of care, Covid -19 pandemic". Results: From the literature search, ten (10) studies met the inclusion criteria of the review. Upon analysis of these ten (10) studies, six (6) found an impact on occupational satisfaction affecting the quality of care, and four (4) studies identified a relationship between work-related stress and quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion - Conclusions: The collection of data and their analysis demonstrated that the healthcare system was severely tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors influencing the occupational satisfaction and work-related stress of nurses, as well as patient care quality, include the increase in patient numbers, workload and working con¬ditions, prolonged work hours, and shortages of staff and resources. Healthcare professionals endeavoured to cope with challenging work conditions, aiming ultimately to provide the best possible care to patients.

The Digital Economy and Hybrid Work Call for a Review of Compensation Criteria for Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) pose a significant occupational health challenge in Europe. The digitization of the economy substantially reshaped the nature and organization of work. The proliferation of hybrid working, characterized by a combination of office-based and remote work, has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This review covers hybrid forms of work, their impact on WRMSDs, and the potential implications for WRMSD compensation. Approximately 30-40% of the European workforce could potentially transition to hybrid forms of work. Hybrid work arrangements can result in prolonged static postures of the trunk, neck, and upper limbs without adequate breaks, thereby increasing the risk of neck and lower back pain. As teleworking and hybrid working become more prevalent, an increase in non-specific WRMSDs is anticipated among the working population. In many countries, claims for WRMSDs necessitate a formal diagnosis by a healthcare professional. However, cases of non-specific WRMSDs, such as cervicalgia or chronic shoulder pain, - commonly observed in sedentary workers engaged in predominantly low-intensity, prolonged static work amid visually and cognitively demanding tasks - often do not meet the criteria for compensation as occupational diseases. The compensation system and/or the criteria for compensation must be adapted to accommodate the rise of telework, necessitating evolving criteria for compensation that address both medical and risk exposure considerations.

Working Hours, Shift, and Remote Work by Industry and Occupation in U.S. Full-time Workers.

This study examines working hours, shift work, and remote work patterns by occupation and industry among U.S. full-time workers, along with the association between working and sleeping hours. Utilizing data from 2011 to 2020 American Time Use Survey, this national household survey examines how individuals aged 15 years or older in the United States spend their time within a 24-hour period. In 2011 to 2019, U.S. full-time workers averaged 8.1 hours of work and 7.8 hours spent sleep on workdays, increasing to 9.6 hours on non-workdays. Among all occupations, Emergency medical technicians and paramedics had the longest average working hours (10.4 hours). Protective services occupations had the highest percentage (41.7%) of workers reporting often working shifts other than daytime. Among all industries, truck transportation industry had the longest average working hours (9.2). Food services and drinking places industries had the highest percentage (28.6%) of workers reporting often working shifts other than daytime. Working hours showed a negative association with sleeping hours. In 2020, 34.0% of full-time workers reported remote work due to COVID-19, with the largest percentage (72.3%) occurring in business and financial operations. The study findings offer essential benchmarks for comparing working hours and schedules across diverse occupations and industries. These insights empower occupational health practitioners to advocate for prevention measures, addressing health concerns arising from prolonged working hours and shift work.

Beyond Rhetoric: The European Parliament as a Workplace for Parents and Current Reform Debates

Doing justice to their families and the political mandate is especially difficult for MEPs. Parents struggle to balance family obligations and work, particularly when the children are young. They undertake extensive journeys between their home constituencies and Brussels or Strasbourg. This taxing routine is further compounded by prolonged working hours, often devoid of leisurely weekends. In combination with the absence of a comprehensive parental leave policy, these challenges disproportionately affect parents of young children, particularly mothers, influencing the diversity and representation within the European Parliament. This study critically examines the existing conditions that shape the working environment of MEPs who are parents. It explores recent endeavors to reform these conditions and the underlying obstacles that hinder the progress of these reformative initiatives. Referring to relevant documents, this study first outlines formal regulations governing parental rights in the European Parliament. We then address informal rules and recent reform proposals using insight from MEP interviews. This examination investigates how parent MEPs assess working conditions and balance competing demands. Despite expectations, the European Parliament falls short of being as family-friendly as anticipated. Nevertheless, recent times have witnessed increased attention to the topic and various reform proposals. The obstacles posed by diverse national legacies and variant conceptions of MEP mandates and statuses for reform are highlighted.

SUBSTANTIATION OF CHANGES IN THE CERTIFICATION OF THE TRACTOR DRIVER’S WORKPLACE IN MODERN MACHINE-TRACTOR UNITS

The study aims to identify possible changes in the working conditions of tractor drivers under the computerisation of workplaces and to develop proposals for changing the requirements for sanitary standards in the design of tractors and agricultural machinery. The article analyses the impact of modern technologies on the working conditions of tractor drivers in agriculture. It investigates various aspects of work, including using on-board computers, air conditioning, and satellite navigation, and their impact on workers’ health. The authors consider health risks, such as increased noise levels and work with on-board computers, and reveal the lack of consideration of these aspects in regulatory documents. In particular, we have found that using on-board computers significantly simplifies the process of controlling agricultural machinery but can lead to increased noise and vibration levels, negatively affecting workers’ health. Some studies have shown that prolonged work with on-board computers can lead to the development of occupational diseases, such as musculoskeletal disorders, impaired vision, and others. In addition, air conditioning in tractor cabs can cause colds due to sudden temperature changes and increase the risk of legionella infection due to the water condensation accumulation in ventilation systems. The research also found that the legal and regulatory documents governing the working conditions of tractor drivers do not consider the use of modern technologies, which creates gaps in worker protection. Regulatory documents should contain requirements for the parameters of monitors and their placement in the working area of tractor drivers in agricultural production, such as adjusting the reflectivity of the screen, the main adjusted visual characteristics of monitors, and the location of video terminals in the tractor cab without being directly in the line of sight. It is necessary to develop measures to prevent the overwork of tractor drivers. Regulations should include rules for the use of air conditioners, as well as for cleaning air conditioning ducts and replacing filters on time. The general conclusion is that there is a need to strengthen the regulation of tractor drivers’ working conditions and to include requirements for using modern technologies in the relevant regulations. These measures will ensure the safety and health of workers in agriculture and reduce the risk of occupational diseases. Keywords: machine-tractor unit, tractor driver, workplace certification, labour protection, video terminal.

Why is surgery not popular among medical students and young doctors? - Review of literature

Introduction: Contemporary medicine is witnessing significant advancements in conservative treatment modalities. However, surgery remains paramount for radical cancer treatment and emergent conditions such as trauma, peritonitis, gastrointestinal obstruction, and cholecystitis. Despite the essential role of surgeons, there is a global trend indicating waning interest among medical students in pursuing surgical specialties. Concurrently, practicing surgeons report heightened levels of professional burnout, and many regions face a looming shortage of surgical professionals, posing a threat to healthcare quality. Brief Overview of Current Knowledge: Research conducted across Poland, Germany, Argentina, the United Kingdom, and Japan highlights the declining inclination towards surgery among medical students. Students cite unattractive working conditions, poor work-life balance, elevated stress levels, and limited avenues for scholarly growth as deterrents. Gender plays a role, with females expressing heightened concerns regarding work-life balance and family aspirations. Furthermore, the surgical work environment, inadequate preparatory training in medical schools, and prolonged working hours are identified as factors exacerbating burnout risk among surgeons. Summary: Professional burnout represents a significant concern among surgeons, impacting both their work satisfaction and patient safety. Despite the strides made in conservative medical therapies, surgery remains indispensable, yet its allure as a specialty is diminishing among medical students. Understanding and addressing the discouraging factors, along with promoting healthy work practices, may mitigate burnout and encourage young physicians to consider surgical careers.

Literature review: Work music in reducing work stress

High productivity allows companies to produce goods and services at lower costs, so they can offer more competitive prices in the market. Productivity may experience a decline which can have a negative impact on organizational performance. Decreased productivity can be caused by prolonged work stress. This research aims to analyze the role of work music in reducing work stress. This research was carried out using the method literature review by determining inclusion and exclusion criteria using PICOS (Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study design) from 7 articles that met the eligibility criteria, then data extraction was carried out by evaluating work music in reducing work stress. Based on the results of a systematic review conducted, it shows that the occupational safety and health program in the form of providing work music is able to increase worker productivity found in various types of work so that it can optimally increase the profits of the employing agency.

Work-Related Fatigue Among Indonesian Offshore Oil and Gas Workers.

Work-related fatigue, combined with shift work and prolonged work hours, has a significant effect, contributing to increasing accident rate by 50-100%. To assess the level of work-related fatigue over a 4-week work period among offshore rig oil and gas workers in Indonesia. This cohort study evaluated acute fatigue, chronic fatigue, and intershift recovery scores among offshore oil and gas rig workers using the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery 15 (OFER15) questionnaire. Fatigue levels were assessed weekly throughout the study duration, which was 4-week work period. Additionally, atthe fourth week, participants were asked about psychosocial factors that could bepotentially related to fatigue. Of 67 participants, the average scores of acute and chronic fatigue were 30.0 and 33.3, and the scores had significantly increased over 4 weeks (P < 0.001). The intershift recovery scores statistically significantly decreased over 4 weeks (P < 0.001), and the differences between weeks (Week 1 versus 2, Week 1 versus 3 and Week 1 versus 4) were also statistically significant (P < 0.001). Acute and chronic fatigue scores had a significant positive correlation with psychological job demands and negatively correlated with influence at work and job satisfaction. Over 4 weeks, acute fatigue augmented chronic fatigue, while acute and chronic fatigue demanded a longer recovery. Workers at the offshore rig experienced work fatigue during their on-duty periods, with the level of fatigue significantly increasing over the 4 weeks. Comprehensive fatigue management at offshore rigs is vital to mitigate work fatigue and minimize the risk of work-related accidents.

The Dispute and Countermeasure of Workers' Off-line Right in the Digital Age

In the age of digital advancement, society has shifted to a data-centric and interconnected paradigm. This transformation has not only altered lifestyles but also impacted labor dynamics significantly. As digital tools bring convenience, they also pose challenges such as blurred work-life boundaries and prolonged working hours.This article delves into the debate surrounding offline rights of workers in the digital era and proposes effective solutions. Employing a mixed-method approach, it elucidates the essence of these rights and argues for their legal recognition. The focus is on devising a comprehensive framework that balances legal clarity, market dynamics, and worker protection.By offering innovative policy recommendations, this research addresses the pressing need to safeguard workers' offline rights. It not only provides theoretical insights but also practical guidance to promote work-life balance and sustainable digital economy development. Upholding these rights signifies a commitment to modern labor values and social equity in today's digital age.

Types of shop stewards in a South African higher education institution and their varying challenges

ABSTRACT The main role of shop stewards, whether part-time or full-time, is to act as workplace representatives for trade unions. However, they face several challenges while fulfilling their roles, more specifically shop stewards in the higher education sector due to marginalisation and politicisation in the sector. This study employs qualitative research methods to explore these challenges and proposes effective solutions for shop stewards. The study involved interviews with 15 shop stewards from a higher education organisation. After analysing the data, the findings revealed that part-time shop stewards get challenged by role overload and face the risk of career suicide. On the other hand, full-time shop stewards are challenged by the prolonged working hours. Similarly, both types of shop stewards experience work-family and interpersonal conflicts. South African labour legislation needs to be relooked at to accommodate the dual roles of part-time shop stewards and reduce the hostility they encounter from line managers or employers. Moreover, shop stewards need to develop on self-and others’ awareness skills, and create own awareness with workplace policies so that they carefully navigate between their two roles without any major ramifications like disciplinary hearings. These findings provide new information on shop stewards challenges by type in the higher education sector.

Traditional versus dynamic sitting: Lumbar spine kinematics and pain during computer work and activity guided tasks

Dynamic sitting may mitigate low back pain during prolonged seated work. The current study compared pelvis and lumbar spine kinematics, pain, and work productivity, in traditional and dynamic sitting. Sixteen participants completed three 20-min blocks of computer work and activity guided tasks in a traditional office chair or backless and multiaxial rotating seat pan while kinematics were measured from accelerometers on the low back. Pain ratings were recorded on a visual analogue scale every 10 min. Similar pelvis and lumbar kinematics emerged when performing computer work in traditional and dynamic sitting. Pelvis and lumbar sagittal and frontal plane shifts and fidgets were largest for dynamic sitting in the activity guided tasks. Buttocks pain was higher in dynamic sitting, but low back pain and work productivity were unaffected. Dynamic sitting increased spine movement during activity guided tasks, without negatively impacting lumbar kinematics, low back pain, or productivity during seated computer work.

Factors affecting return to work following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Background Prolonged work absence following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is a major concern, yet factors influencing return to work are poorly understood. The primary aim of this study is to retrospectively assess the proportion of patients who successfully resume equivalent occupational demands after ARCR, along with the time taken for their return to work. Methods Eighty-three patients underwent ARCR. Work intensity and worker's compensation status were recorded. Patients were interviewed at ≥12 months to determine return to work rate and timing. Results In total, 83 patients were included, with a median age of 58.7 (±8.36) and a follow-up of at least 12 months. 98.8% returned to work at a median of eight weeks. Heavy manual labor significantly delayed return to work compared to light work (HR 0.15 95% CI). Receiving worker's compensation was associated with delayed return to work (HR 0.26 95% CI). Conclusion This study found that nearly all patients returned to work following ARCR, but high-intensity manual labor and worker compensation status significantly delayed their return to work. Patients with physically demanding jobs and those receiving workers’ compensation had a 60–85% lower likelihood of returning to work at any given time point compared to light work and noncompensated patients.