Repetitive Handling Research Articles

Understanding the effects of egg loss from fisher handling to improve conservation of a threatened freshwater crayfish (Euastacus armatus)

Context Handling of wild animals can have adverse effects on individuals that scale up to affect populations and ultimately species. Limited mobility and high harvest pressure expose the threatened Australian freshwater crayfish (Euastacus armatus) to multiple handling events by fishers that cause egg loss. Aim Our aim was to assess the effects from harvest pressure on the reproductive output of an E. armatus population. Methods A stochastic model based on empirical data and estimated harvest pressures was used to predict the effect of repetitive handling of individuals on a population of E. armatus subject to harvest and consequent egg loss. Key results Egg loss resulted in substantial predicted population-level declines, most pronounced in populations subject to high and extreme harvest pressures. Conclusions We advocate educating fishers to visually determine the reproductive condition of female crayfish by inspecting gonopore setation, eliminating the need for unfurling the tail. Implications Maximising species reproductive output through limiting handling loss supports the management and conservation of E. armatus populations.

Enhancing Technical Skills Using Under-Passing and Game Approach in Girls Volleyball

Background: A long-term training process is required to train athletes, which requires systematic, targeted, planned, and repetitive handling. Training methods improve the mastery of fundamental techniques for beginner athletes. Training volleyball methods are essential for beginners as they make the exercise more focused and gradual to improve their under-passing. Coach training methods make it easier to give practical and concentrated exercises to the areas you want to enhance. Objective: The study aims to determine whether drill exercise and game approach can significantly improve female athletes' use of under-passing volleyball. Methods: With the type of research being Quasi-Experimental. The research design used was Randomized Control Group Pretest-Posttest Design. A total of 24 athletes were given treatment for two months. The instrument used was the Braddy Volleyball Test, and data analysis used the T-Test. Results: Results for the drill exercise experimental group were 0.695 > 0.05, and for the experimental group, the playing method was 0.695 > 0.05. This means that drill exercises and game approaches significantly improve the skills of passing volleyball. Conclusion: In experimental groups, I and II, athletes who were given a drill exercise program and game approach both improved their skills in the basic techniques of skills under-passing volleyball. The average posttest results of both groups of experiments are higher than the average pretest results. It shows a difference between the drill exercise program and the game approach.

A new window into fish welfare: A proteomic discovery study of stress biomarkers in the skin mucus of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Fish skin mucus is a dynamic external mucosal layer that acts as the first line of defense in the innate immune system. Skin mucus' exudation and composition change severely under stress, making it a valuable biofluid to search for minimally invasive stress markers. This study focused on the skin mucus proteome response to repetitive handling, overcrowding, and hypoxia, using Sparus aurata, an important species in the Mediterranean aquaculture, as a model. Biomarker discovery analysis was performed using label-free shotgun proteomics coupled with bioinformatics to unveil the most predictive proteins for the stressed phenotype. A mean of 2166 proteins were identified at a < 0.2% false discovery rate, from which the differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were mainly involved in the immune system and protein metabolism. A sparse partial least squares regression analysis revealed a high correlation between DAPs and plasma physiological stress indicators. Feature selection, performed by recursive feature elimination followed by logistic regression analysis of the selected proteins, disclosed 28 candidate biomarkers with values of area under the curve >0.75. These minimally invasive biomarkers could be used in forthcoming species-specific stress management protocols to improve fish welfare and promote farmed fish safety, positive societal outcomes, and business sustainability. SignificanceThe fish skin mucus holds a great promise into fish welfare, as a valuable source of minimally invasive biomarkers for stress assessment. In this shotgun proteomics discovery study, we have identified 28 candidate biomarkers by combining a comprehensive functional analysis of the stress regulated proteome with predictive modeling, supported by a significant correlation (p < 0.01) with physiological stress indicators (cortisol, lactate and glucose). The candidate biomarkers showed a good predictive value in the testing set (AUC > 0.75), paving the way for the next step in their validation by targeted proteomics. An early and timely assessment of fish stressful events, by using minimally invasive biomarkers, as those that can be found in the fish skin mucus, can contribute to promote fish health/welfare in the aquaculture sector and its sustainability. The adoption of preventive and surveillance measures based on proteomics approaches can therefore help to avoid unnecessary adverse outcomes with a negative impact on this primordial food sector.

Neonatal procedural pain affects state, but not trait anxiety behavior in adult rats.

The influence of neonatal experiences upon later‐life affective behavior is increasingly recognized, but the reported effects on anxiety are often contradictory. The observed effect may depend upon the type of anxiety (state or trait) affected. The current study aims to investigate whether neonatal repetitive needle pricking alters anxiety behavior in adulthood, by assessing both state and trait anxiety in rats. Sprague–Dawley rat pups received four unilateral needle pricks per day, while controls received four tactile stimuli or were left completely undisturbed during the first postnatal week. Mechanical sensitivity was assessed in the neonatal phase and throughout the development. State anxiety was assessed in the open field test and trait anxiety in the elevated zero maze. The results show that repetitive needle pricking leads to acute mechanical hypersensitivity, but does not affect baseline mechanical sensitivity throughout development. In adulthood, animals previously exposed to neonatal procedural pain (including repetitive handling and removal from litter) showed lower state anxiety but did not differ in trait anxiety, as compared with the undisturbed controls. These findings indicate that early‐life procedural pain decreases state but not trait anxiety behavior in later life in a rodent model of repetitive needle pricking.

Assessment of a passive exoskeleton system on spinal biomechanics and subjective responses during manual repetitive handling tasks among construction workers

An exoskeleton system can be an effective ergonomic intervention for mitigating the risks of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, yet little attention is given to the effects of its application on physical risk factors and subjective responses. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of a passive exoskeleton system on spinal biomechanics and subjective responses during manual repetitive handling tasks among construction workers. Muscle activity of the Thoracic Erector Spinae (TES), Lumbar Erector Spinae (LES) at L3 vertebrae level, Rectus Abdominis (RA), and External Oblique (EO) during the repetitive handling tasks were measured by surface electromyography (sEMG). Additionally, the Borg categorical rating scale (Borg CR 10), local perceived pressure (LPP), and system usability scale (SUS) were used to measure the ratings of perceived discomfort, perceived musculoskeletal pressure, and system usability, respectively. Our results found that: (1) the use of the passive exoskeleton system significantly reduced LES muscle activity (11–33% MVC), with a greater reduction in LES muscle activity (32.71% MVC) for the heaviest lifting load; (2) the use of the passive exoskeleton system significantly reduced perceived discomfort scores (42.40%) of the lower back for the heaviest lifting load; (3) increased lifting load significantly increased LPP scores of the shoulder, lower back, and leg body parts; and (4) majority of the participants rated the passive exoskeleton system as having acceptable usability. The findings of these results indicate that the developed passive exoskeleton system could reduce the internal muscle force, extensor moments, and spinal forces in the lumbar region.

A rare case of ventriculoperitoneal shunt knot causing intestinal obstruction in an adult

Despite high incidence of complications, Ventriculoperitoneal shunting for hydrocephalus is the cornerstone and the most common neurosurgical procedure. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt knot causing intestinal obstruction is an extremely rare complication needing surgical intervention. A 19 years old male with history of VP shunting in infancy for hydrocephalus with no history of any revision surgery presented in emergency with pain abdomen and multiple episodes of vomiting for 2 days. X ray showed dilated bowel loops with a coiled up VP shunt in the abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy showed multiple dilated bowel loops with a loop of VP shunt around ileal segment with dense fibrotic adhesions causing obstruction. Extensive adhesiolysis was done. Procedure underwent uneventful. Patient recovered swiftly in postoperative period and is currently asymptomatic after 6 months of surgery. Improved surgery skills and shunt design have prevented much of the morbidity of VP shunting. Most of the cases reported earlier were paediatric patients with history of repetitive handling of catheter. We believe this to be the first case of intestinal obstruction by a VPS knot in an adult with no history of manipulation after primary surgery. Due to low incidence it is difficult to clinically suspect such an extremely rare complication. Therefore, an awareness of VP shunt related complications in adult is essential.

Physiological workload of farm women in paddy storage activity of Assam

Storage of paddy grains is one of the most drudgery prone post harvest activity of Assam, which is predominantly performed by rural women. Assessment of exposure to physiological workload, postural stress and work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) risk factors can be an appropriate base for planning and implementing interventional ergonomics programmes. In developing countries like India the workers suffer from assorted health problems due to awkward postures and carrying heavy loads (Mukhopadhyay, 2008; Sett and Sahu, 2008). They concluded that WMSDs resulted from frequent trunk bending, twisting and repetitive handling of load at a time and women have a higher prevalence rate of WMSDs than that of men. An attempt was made to assess physical fitness of participants, to determine physiological workload involved in storage of paddy grains and to ascertain muscular and postural stress involved in the activity. Thirty subjects in the age group of 25-35 years who are having normal, non-pregnant, and non-lactating having normal blood pressure and without any major illness were selected for the purpose of the study. Electronic tread mill was used for assessing physical fitness of the respondents. Heart rate was recorded with heart rate monitor and postural stress in different region was measured with inclinometer. For postural analysis Ovaku Work Posture Analysis System (OWAS) method was used. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was calculated by using 5 point rating scale developed by Varghese et al. (1994). Body map was used to identify the body part discomfort (BPD) in different parts of the body. The findings on physical characteristics of the respondents revealed that mean age of the respondent farm women was 32 years of age. Average height of the respondent farm women was 151.42 cm, average weight was 45 kg. Lean body mass (LBM) of the respondents was 32.35 kg. Body mass index (BMI) of the selected respondents was 20.87 and Vo2 max (ml/kg-1. min-1) was found to be 26.73, respectively. Fat percentage of the respondents was 28. Most of the respondents (47 %) belonged to ‘ectomorphic’ group. Thirty three per cent of farm women had ‘very good’ level of physical fitness. The physiological workload of farm women in storing paddy was categorized as ‘heavy’ activity. It was found that work postures have a distinctly harmful effect on musculoskeletal system of the farm women. The angles of average flexion was highest in upper arm (90.620) and extension was in thoracic and it was observed to be 115.300 indicating deviation of body parts. The farm women perform the storage activity under acceptable level of temperature and humidity except illumination. Ergonomic Interventions is necessary for lowering physiological loads and for improving productivity and comfort to the farm women.

Design of job rotation schedules managing the exposure to age-related risk factors

Repetitive work involving manual handling of low loads at high frequency frequently leads to deteriorated posture and movement co-ordination, causing occupational diseases as the most common work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). Older workers are more predisposed to develop WMSD than younger workers because of their decreased functional capacity. The susceptibility for developing WMSD or injury is related to the difference between the demands of work and the worker’s ability to perform a demanded activity.Current law requires the adoption of risk control measures to eliminate or reduce the exposure of workers to health and safety risk factors. When repetitive handling is unavoidable, job rotation is an effective risk control method to minimize the exposure of workers to the risks of repetitive movements and awkward postures.This paper presents a mathematical model for the design of activity schedules for aged workers exposed to the risk of repetitive work. The aim is to define the scheduling of the work activities for each worker from a bi-objective perspective. The first objective is to reduce the ergonomic risk of repetitive work by varying the required movements and their intensity during the work shift. The second objective charges the workers with the activities that better fit their skills and abilities. Finally, the proposed model includes the ergonomic risk assessment of each scheduling solution, ensuring an acceptable exposure of the workers to the risk of repetitive work.

Effects of lift-assist device on trunk and shoulder kinematics

Background: Repetitive handling of heavy concrete blocks has been associated with the risk of low back and shoulder injuries among the masons. Several interventions have been proposed to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among the masons. A new intervention, a lift-assist handle, was tested in this study. Objective: The effectiveness of the lift-assist handle in masonry work was assessed using the shoulder and low back kinematics during block lifting/lowering tasks performed at two heights. Methods: In a laboratory setting, seven male subjects performed with- and without-lift handle assisted block lifting tasks at two different heights. Optical motion capture system and biomechanical modeling software were used to record and model each dynamic trial. Effect of lifting height and use of a lift-assist handle on range of motion of the shoulder and trunk were tested. Results: The use of lift-assist handle significantly reduced trunk motion and increased shoulder motion. Lifting height had a significant effect on shoulder kinematics only. When height was increased from 17to 29 inches, the ranges of motion of shoulder abduction-adduction and internal rotation significantly increased. Additionally, block lifting/lowering task duration decreased by 26% when the lift-assist handle was used. Conclusions: While potential benefits to lower back health were found with the lift-assist handle, increased shoulder motion may increase the risk of shoulder injuries. The findings of this study emphasize the need for an in-depth analysis of assistive devices prior to implementation to ensure that there are no unintended consequences of their use that could negate their benefit.

Working height and parts bin position effects on upper limb muscular strain for repetitive hand transfer

The study examines the influence of workplace layout on localized muscle fatigue in a simulated repetitive seated hand transfer task. Nine task conditions were used consisting of three working heights and three parts bin positions. Six muscles in the right upper limb were monitored bilaterally using surface electromyography. Motion range data on the upper segmental joints were collected along with subjective perception data. Results showed that awkward postures due to workstation setting and high repetitiveness were the major factors affecting upper limb muscle fatigue, especially for the trapezius and anterior deltoid. The percentage of fatigued subjects generally increased when the mean working height became greater. This study suggests that working height should be organized at or below the elbow level with the parts bin position not above the working height when a repetitive hand transfer task is performed. Relevance to industryThis experimental result should be useful in job analysis for the evaluation of muscle activities and workplace layout design for the reduction of muscular load on the upper limbs during repetitive handling of light weight in industries characterized as hand transfer.

Marble-burying is enhanced in 3xTg-AD mice, can be reversed by risperidone and it is modulable by handling

Translational research on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is relevant to the study the neuropsychiatric symptoms that strongly affect the quality of life of the human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patient and caregivers, frequently leading to early institutionalization. Among the ethological behavioural tests for rodents, marble burying is considered to model the spectrum of anxiety, psychotic and obsessive–compulsive like symptoms. The present work was aimed to study the behavioural interactions of 12 month-old male 3xTg-AD mice with small objects using the marble-burying test, as compared to the response elicited in age-matched non-transgenic (NTg) mice. The distinction of the classical ‘number of buried marbles’ but also those left ‘intact’ and those ‘changed’ of position of marbles or partially buried (the transitional level of interaction) provided new insights into the modelling of BPSD-like alterations in this AD model. The analysis revealed genotype differences in the behavioural patterns and predominant behaviors. In the NTg mice, predominance was shown in the ‘changed or partially buried’, while interactions with marble were enhanced in 3xTg-AD mice resulting in an increase of marble burying. Besides, genotype-dependent meaningful correlations were found, with the marble test pattern of 3xTg-AD mice being directly related to neophobia in the corner tests. In both genotypes, the increase of burying was reversed by chronic treatment with risperidone (1mg/kg, s.c.). In 3xTg-AD mice, the repetitive handling of animals during the treatment also exerted modulatory effects. These distinct patterns further characterize the modelling of BPSD-like symptoms in the 3xTg-AD mice, and provide another behavioural tool to assess the benefits of preventive and/or therapeutic strategies, as well as the potential action of risk factors for AD, in this animal model.

Reducing ergonomic injuries for librarians using a participatory approach

This study utilized a participatory ergonomics approach to examine the ergonomic hazards and reduce musculoskeletal symptoms for librarians in the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library. A variety of research activities were conducted, including: ergonomics training and tests, observations, work environment and health questionnaires, and focus group discussions. A total of 39 employees from 9 different divisions in the Library participated in the study. The results of pre- and post-training ergonomics knowledge tests indicate significant improvement of librarians' understanding of ergonomics principles. The questionnaire responses for both 2-month-post- and 8-month-post- ergonomics training compared against those before the training have shown positive improvements in ratings of the presence and severity of a majority of the musculoskeletal symptoms, the design of computer workstations and manual material handling tasks, as well as perceived control over the work environment. With the identification of ergonomic hazards through RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) observations as well as focus group discussions, the study findings accomplished the project's overall objective of assisting librarians with improvement of ergonomics in the workplace. The results of this study provide a necessary foundation for future long-term study of participatory ergonomics to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and disorders for librarians. Relevance to industryLibrary work entails prolonged use of computers and other electronic tools, as well as repetitive handling of books, boxes, and other materials, which has exposed librarians to a significant risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. A participatory ergonomics approach might be effective in improving librarians’ understanding and application of ergonomics principles, and subsequently reducing musculoskeletal symptoms.

Relationship of EMG and Subjective Discomfort Ratings for Repetitive Handling of Lightweight Loads

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of weight of load and time on the physical workload of repetitive upper-limb tasks with handling light weight loads using EMG and perceived discomfort, and to investigate the relationship between EMG and perceived discomfort for those repetitive tasks of moving light weight loads. Background: Repetitive upper-limb motion is known as one of the main risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders, and a lot of repetitive tasks are carried out while handling light weight loads in the industry. In evaluating the workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads, EMG and perceived discomfort can be used, though their relationship in those work conditions are not much investigated. Method: A laboratory experiment with 18 healthy males were conducted to record EMG signals from 5 muscle sites of the right arm and shoulder and rate perceived discomforts for the body parts and the whole body while carrying out repetitive materials-handling tasks for 52min. The subjects were divided into 3 groups which handled the loads of 1kg, 2kg and 3kg, respectively. ANOVAs were conducted to analyze the effects of the weight and time on RMS of EMG amplitude (normalized RMS: NRMS), median frequency of power spectrum of EMG (normalized MDF: NMDF) and perceived discomfort. The correlations between NRMS and NMDF and perceived discomfort were also analyzed. Results: Statistically significant muscular fatigue effects were not found from NRMS and NMDF in most muscles, while there were significant increases of discomfort as the task time elapsed. It was shown that there were an increasing trend of the muscular activity as the weight of load increased and a decreasing trend of median frequency of EMG of upper and lower arms as time elapsed. It was found that there were significant negative correlations between NMDFs from the lower arm and discomfort ratings, though the relationships were weak. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the working conditions adopted in this study were not enough to induce muscular fatigue, while there was significant increase in perceived discomfort. A further study is necessary to integrate the objective and subjective measures for more reliable and sensitive evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks of handling light weight loads. Application: This study can be used as a basic study for the evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads.

Punding sévère au cours d’une maladie de Parkinson

Punding is a stereotypical behavior characterized by an intense fascination with repetitive handling and examining of mechanical devices or arranging common objects. This condition, which is different from both obsessive-compulsive disorder and mania, is still underestimated in patients with Parkinson's disease and may have deleterious social consequences on patients and their families. We report the case of severe punding in a 23-year-old parkinsonian woman, who presented, a few days following a rise in the dose of pergolide up to 2,5 mg/(d), frequent and daily unusual repetitive behavior, characterized by ceaseless sewing, disassembly and reassembly of phones, and coloring of drawings. These behaviors were associated with a common peak of dose dyskinesia and were responsible for a considerable reduction in duration of sleep with negative impact on the quality of life of her parents. These symptoms significantly improved immediately after switching pergolide to an equivalent dose of ropinirole (12 mg/(d). Punding has only recently come to the attention of physicians through the first report in a parkinsonian patient, triggered by dopaminergic replacement therapy. The phenomenon was thought to be related to excessive dopaminergic stimulation of the limbic and associative pathways. The current mainstay of treatment is the reduction in the dose of dopaminergic medication or changing the presumed responsible drug, often a dopaminergic agonist. In this article, the authors review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of this curious phenomenon.

Impact de l’utilisation de valves bidirectionnelles sur la qualité des séances en hémodialyse chronique

Luer access valves are medical devices used to reduce infectious risks by securing repetitive handling in chronic hemodialysis using central catheter. Their impact on the effectiveness of a hemodialysis session still remains poorly studied. This in vivo study aims to evaluate its effectiveness. Tego® and Q-Syte® valves were used in alternation for each patient for four weeks (428 hemodialysis sessions). The two-luer access valves have led to a significant increase in the dysfunction of the hemodialysis sessions (51.8% compared to the usual care (39.3%) (P=0.012). The analysis by sub-category suggests a heterogeneous behavior of the two devices. The Q-Syte® valve showed significantly more dysfunction than the Tego® valve or the absence of valve. However, both valve systems tested can maintain the performance of the hemodialysis session as they don’t change the dose of dialysis. This study highlights that an evaluation of each device must be performed prior to their use to assess the risk-benefit balance.

Optimum motion control of palletizing robots based on iterative learning

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a maximum speed algorithm for serial palletizing robots, which guarantees relatively low system modeling requirements and can be easily implemented in actual applications.Design/methodology/approachOperation speed is an important index of palletizing robots performance. In order to improve it, features of palletizing motions are analyzed, and a refined iterative learning control algorithm for maximum speed optimization is proposed. The refined algorithm learns to increase local speed when the following error does not exceed a predefined tolerance, unlike conventional applications which make actual output identical to its reference. Furthermore, experiments were developed to illustrate the new algorithm's ability to take full advantage of motor capacity, drive ability and repetitive link couplings to improve palletizing efficiency.FindingsExperiments show that motion time decreases more than 20 percent after optimization.Originality/valueThe new iterative control algorithm can be easily applied to any repetitive handling operations where manipulating efficiency matters.

Sensing Design and Workmanship: The Haptic Skills of Shoppers in Eighteenth-Century London

This article explores how eighteenth-century shoppers understood the material world around them. It argues that retail experiences exposed shoppers to different objects, which subsequently shaped their understanding of this world. This article builds on recent research that highlights the importance of shop environments and browsing in consumer choice. More particularly, it differentiates itself by examining the practice of handling goods in shops and arguing that sensory interaction with multiple goods was one of the key means by which shoppers comprehended concepts of design and workmanship. In doing so, it affirms the importance of sensory research to design history. The article focuses on consumer purchases of ceramic objects and examines a variety of sources to demonstrate the role of haptic skills in this act. It shows how different literary sources described browsing for goods in gendered and satirical terms and then contrasts these readings against visual evidence to illustrate how handling goods was also represented as a positive act. It reads browsing as a valued practice requiring competence, patience and haptic skills. Through an examination of diary sources, letters and objects this article asks what information shoppers gained from touching various objects. It concludes by demonstrating how repetitive handling in search of quality meant that shoppers acquired their own conception of what constituted workmanship and design.

Efficacy of three interventions at mitigating the adverse effects of muscle fatigue on postural control

This study evaluated the efficacy of three interventions at reducing the adverse effects of muscle fatigue on postural control. The first provided rest breaks according to perceived decrements in postural stability, while the other two involved auditory stimulations (static pure tone and moving conversation). Sixteen participants performed repetitive box handling (lifting + lowering) over 1.5 h to induce muscle fatigue mainly in the lumbar extensors. Trials of quiet upright stance were completed at 10-min intervals, during which the interventions (or a control condition) were applied. Postural control was assessed using perceived stability (PS) and several measures derived from centre-of-pressure (COP) time series. Allowance of rest breaks did not significantly affect any of the objective measures, though a trend indicated an offset to fatigue-induced decreases in PS. Both the static pure tone and moving conversation led to significant changes in the dependent measures indicating a mitigation of fatigue-induced postural instability. Practitioner Summary: We examined the effects of three control strategies on postural control in the presence of muscle fatigue induced by a simulated occupational task. The findings can facilitate the development of future strategies or practical interventions to reduce falling risk and prevent falls.

Cocaine addiction: From habits to stereotypical-repetitive behaviors and punding

“Punding” is a stereotypical motor behavior characterized by an intense fascination with repetitive handling and examining of objects. Since its first description in amphetamine and cocaine addicts, data on punding has only derived from studies performed in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Punding is classifiable as the most severe form of Repetitive Reward-Seeking Behaviours (RRSB) syndromes. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and phenomelogy of RRSB acutely induced by cocaine in order to determine the prevalence, severity and distinctive features discriminating “punders” from “non-punders”. A consecutive sample of 50 cocaine addicts received a clinical psychiatric interview. RRSB diagnosis and severity were assessed using a modified version of a previous published questionnaire designed to identify punding in patients with PD. In the present series, 38% of the cocaine addicts met the proposed diagnostic criteria for a RRSB and 8% were considered punders. Subjects with vs. without RRSB did not differ in terms of sex ratio, age, education, occupation, predisposing habits, duration of cocaine use, hours of sleep, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and concomitant use of other drugs. These results and the observation that in the majority of cases RRSB started soon after first drug intake, strongly suggest that an underlying unknown predisposition led to the development of these behaviors. In conclusion, RRSB and punding is much more common than has been described previously and the resultant social disability is often overlooked.

Predictors of punding in Parkinson's disease: Results from a questionnaire survey

Dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) for Parkinson's disease (PD) has recently been linked to the development of a number of nonmotor behavioral control problems. Punding, one of these nonmotor problems, is a term used to describe complex, purposeless stereotyped behaviors such as the repetitive handling or sorting of objects. A self-report questionnaire was adapted to assess punding in the context of dysfunctional hobby-related activities. We report the results of a survey of PD outpatients from a PD research clinic (n = 141) and non-PD controls (n = 103); conducted to identify clinical and psychological factors predictive of punding behaviors. The PD group reported hobbies and activities, which scored significantly higher on the Punding Scale than controls. Higher impulsivity, poorer disease-related quality of life, younger age of disease onset, and concomitant daily medication dosage from dopamine receptor agonists were independently predictive of higher Punding Scale scores in the PD group. These findings are similar to those seen in dopamine dysregulation syndrome, and provide further evidence for the role of impulsivity and age at disease onset in DRT-related nonmotor behavioral problems in PD.