Rates Of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Research Articles

Incorporating Surgical Ergonomics Education into Surgical Residency Curriculum

Education on surgical ergonomics during residency training is lacking. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and impact of incorporating surgical ergonomics lectures into residency curriculum. A survey was distributed to 42 residents with questions regarding demographics, surgical factors, prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms, and awareness of ergonomic recommendations. The residents then received 2 lectures on ergonomics in surgery. A follow up survey was distributed to evaluate the impact of the lectures. Twenty-two residents completed the presession survey. Ninety-one percent reported MSK symptoms attributed to their training. Seventeen residents completed the follow up survey. All reported increased awareness of their own habits while operating and improved understanding of methods to prevent and/or treat work-related injuries. All residents recommended incorporating the lectures as an adjunct to their regular curriculum. The rates of MSK symptoms and/or injury are high among surgeon trainees. Residency is an opportune time to educate on principles of ergonomics and may prevent future injuries.

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the construction industry: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although individual studies have reported high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among construction workers, no systematic review has summarized their prevalence rates. Accordingly, this systematic review/meta-analysis aimed to synthesize MSS prevalence in different construction trades, gender and age groups, which may help develop specific ergonomic interventions. Nine databases were searched for articles related to the research objective. Two reviewers independently screened citations, extracted information and conducted quality assessment of the included studies. Meta-analyses were conducted on clinical and statistical homogenous data. Thirty-five out of 1130 potential citations were included reporting diverse types of period prevalence and case definitions. Only the 1-year prevalence rates of MSS (defined as at least one episode of pain/MSS in the last year) at nine anatomical regions had sufficient homogeneous data for meta-analysis. Specifically, the 1-year prevalence of MSS was 51.1% for lower back, 37.2% for knee, 32.4% for shoulder, 30.4% for wrist, 24.4% for neck, 24.0% for ankle/foot, 20.3% for elbow, 19.8% for upper back, and 15.1% for hip/thigh. Female workers demonstrated a higher prevalence of MSS while there was insufficient information on the prevalence of trade-specific or age-related MSS. The quality assessments revealed that many included studies estimated prevalence solely based on self-reported data, and did not report non-respondents' characteristics. Lumbar, knee, shoulder, and wrist MSS are the most common symptoms among construction workers. Future studies should standardize the reporting of period prevalence of MSS in different construction trades to allow meta-analyses and to develop relevant MSS prevention program.

A pilot study of prevalence and distributions of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among paper based office workers in Bangladesh.

The prevalence of MSS among office workers is high worldwide, having a significant effect on medical costs, absenteeism, and quality of life. In Bangladesh, there are many office workers but there is no data on the prevalence and impact of MSS. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of MSS among paper based office workers from one local office in order to determine whether or not an ergonomic intervention is required and the focus of the intervention needed. A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 paper based office workers using a proportional stratified random sample. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence and distribution of MSS. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. The mean age of the respondents was 43.0 years with a mean of 12.0 years work experience. 76.0% (n=152) of the respondents reported having MSS during the last 12 months. MSS complaints were reported primarily in the lower back region. 40.5% (n=81) of the respondents reported interruption of their normal daily activities within the last 12 months reportedly due to MSS. The current study showed the high prevalence rate of MSS among office workers in one workplace in Bangladesh. This was a pilot study, but it suggests that there is likely a need for further study into office workers' work sites and work practices to prevent work related injuries.

Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Korean Radiation Workers

The first aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The second aim was to study the association between musculoskeletal symptoms and factors in radiation workers from the active lists of clinics and hospitals and then to provide basic data for a systematic and effective resource management of radiation workers’ musculoskeletal problems in the future. A questionnaire survey was conducted on radiation workers in clinics, general hospitals, and Dong-A university hospitals around the Korean city Buscan from July 10 to 31, 2011. The results showed that the rate of musculoskeletal symptoms was higher in the shoulder, waist, neck, leg/foot, hand/wrist/finger than arm/elbow. The probability of neck pain was 2 times higher in patients with a disease.

Cold exposure and low back pain in store workers in Israel

In recent years the demand for frozen food in the Western world has been growing, and the number of cold storeroom has increased proportionately. There are very few studies documenting cold exposure as a risk factor for musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). This study describes the prevalence of MSS, in particular low back pain (LBP) among cold storeroom workers in Israel and explores the connection between exposure to cold at work and MSS. A cross-section survey included 122 males between the ages of 20-45 who had been employed for at least 1 year in three food stores in Israel. The subjects were classified as an exposed group working at temperatures of -20 degrees C and a control group working at room temperatures (20 degrees C to 25 degrees C). The prevalence rate of MSS, in particular LBP, was assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Cold storeroom workers had increased odds of reporting back symptoms in the previous 12 months (odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3-6.7) and during work (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.8-13.0) compared with their colleagues working in storerooms at regular temperatures. Among workers who described themselves as satisfied at work, the cold storeroom workers had increased odds of reporting back symptoms in the last 12 months and during work (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.5-10.6, OR = 9.4, 95% CI = 2.0-44.6, respectively) while there was no association between store type and LBP among dissatisfied workers. The results of this study strengthen the hypothesis that workers in cold environments are at a greater risk of LBP.

Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Related Factors of Golf Caddies

Objectives: This study evaluated the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and investigated the related factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in the caddies. Methods: For 316 caddies working at 6 regular golf courses, we used the self-recording questionnaires to examine general characteristics, job stress factors, subjective musculoskeletal symptoms designed by NIOSH, working environments, and working contents. Results: The complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms according to the musculoskeletal criteria of NIOSH were 41.8% in the leg/knee/ankle/foot, 35.8% in the shoulder, 35.8% in the upper back/lower back, 28.8% in the neck, and 28.5% in the arm/wrist/fingers. Important factors affecting musculoskeletal symptoms were daily working hours during the high-demand season in all anatomical sites except the arm/wrist/fingers. Other related factors were degrees of winding and inclined in the golf courses, violent language and violence of customers, inability to regulate the velocity and work load control, heavy physical burden, instability of employment, and possibility of unemployment according to the specialty of caddies. As a results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck, shoulders, back/lower back and leg/knee/ankle/foot were significantly influenced by working time over 12 hours in the high-demand season, and symptoms of the arm/wrist/fingers by low decision latitude (P<0.05). Conclusions: The complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms in the caddies were affected by working time over 12 hours and low decision latitude against excessively high psychological job demand.

A prospective study of computer users: I. Study design and incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders.

A prospective study of computer users was performed to determine the occurrence of and evaluate risk factors for neck or shoulder (N/S) and hand or arm (H/A) musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and disorders (MSD). Individuals (n = 632) newly hired into jobs requiring > or = 15 hr/week of computer use were followed for up to 3 years. At study entry, workstation dimensions and worker postures were measured and medical and psychosocial risk factors were assessed. Daily diaries were used to document work practices and incident MSS. Those reporting MSS were examined for specific MSD. Incidence rates of MSS and MSD were estimated with survival analysis. Cox regression models were used to evaluate associations between participant characteristics at entry and MSS and MSD. The annual incidence of N/S MSS was 58 cases/100 person-years and of N/S MSD was 35 cases/100 person-years. The most common N/S MSD was somatic pain syndrome. The annual incidence of H/A MSS was 39 cases/100 person-years and of H/A MSD was 21 cases/100 person-years. The most common H/A disorder was deQuervain's tendonitis. Forty-six percent of N/S and 32% of H/A MSS occurred during the first month of follow-up. Gender, age, ethnicity, and prior history of N/S pain were associated with N/S MSS and MSD. Gender, prior history of H/A pain, prior computer use, and children at home were associated with either H/A MSS or MSD. H/A and N/S MSS and MSD were common among computer users. More than 50% of computer users reported MSS during the first year after starting a new job.

Sociodemographic Characteristics and Gynecological Disease in 40–42 Year Old Women Reporting Musculoskeletal Disease

The study, which was part of a cardiovascular screening programme of 40–42 year old women organised by the National Health Screening Service, wanted to assess the prevalence of locomotor complaints in Middle-Norway. Forty-nine percent of the respondents reported the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Low back pain and myalgia was the most and chronic inflammatory joint diseases the least frequent. Between healthy women and some groups of women reporting musculoskeletal disorders, significant differences in sociodemographic background, workload, working ability, and health care utilisation emerged. Among lifestyle factors, smoking was significantly more frequent for women reporting fibromyalgia. Analysing the occurrence of symptoms and diseases in the genital tract revealed that a significantly higher proportion of women reporting musculoskeletal disease answered positively. Differences between healthy women and women reporting pelvic joint syndrome, fibromyalgia, whiplash, or arthritis were significant in bleeding disorders, chronic pelvic pain, and inflammatory pelvic disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis reported oophorectomy significantly more often than healthy women. In conclusion, a high rate of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders was reported by middle-aged women. A strong association between musculoskeletal disorders and gynecological disease was found.