Shoulder Musculoskeletal Symptoms Research Articles

Predictors of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in shoulders among nursing assistants working in nursing homes.

Nursing assistants (NAs) working in nursing homes (NHs) are at higher risk for work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WRMSs) than their counterparts working in other health care settings. Worldwide, NAs have ranked shoulders in the top three body parts at risk of WRMSs. However, factors associated with their shoulder WRMSs are currently unknown. The aim of this study was to identify these associated risk factors among NAs working in NHs. 440 NAs from 47 nursing homes (with 60–90% response rate from each nursing home), recruited by convenience sampling, participated in this cross-sectional study in 2014–2015. A validated and reliable questionnaire was used for data collection. Information on demographic, job content questionnaire (JCQ), perceived physical exertion (PE), workstyle, ergonomic and manual handling knowledge and other work-related factors was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. 53% of the participants reported experiencing with WRMSs in their shoulders. Nine associated factors of shoulder WRMSs were identified using bivariate analysis. With the adjustment of age and gender using multivariable logistic regression, body mass index (OR = .931, 95% CI [.874–.991]), job title of health workers (OR = 2.72, 95% CI [1.18–6.25]) and workstyle-working through pain (OR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.01–1.11]) remained as predictors. Effort should be directed at integrating “workstyle intervention” into lifestyle physical activity training for NAs.

Evaluation of a Workplace Exercise Program for Control of Shoulder Disorders in Overhead Assembly Work.

The aim of this study was to assess effects of exercise on shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms among employees with overhead assembly work exposures. A voluntary workplace shoulder exercise program was offered to employees in two automotive assembly departments, while two similar departments served as controls. N = 76 total workers participated. Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and Discomfort of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) symptoms were queried monthly for 7 baseline months, followed by 6 months that included exercise. SRQ scores were higher for exercisers than among controls in the 6 exercising months, but not in the baseline months. Although the group x month interaction was significant (P < 0.05), the temporal trend was inconsistent. Exercise may have temporarily lessened decline in SRQ. It is not clear whether shorter term differences were clinically meaningful or predictive of longer term disability prevention.

Associação entre desordens musculoesqueléticas e gastos com cuidado à saúde entre pacientes do Sistema Único de Saúde

Delineamento: transversal. Objetivos: (i) Identificar a ocorrência de desordens musculoesqueléticas, (ii) identificar seus determinantes e (iii) suas relações com gastos com saúde em adultos atendidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 963 adultos, com 50 anos e de ambos os sexos tratados em unidades básicas de saúde. Participantes responderam questionários sobre doenças, condição econômica, desordens musculoesqueléticas, atividade ocupacional, consultas de fisioterapia e compra de medicamentos; peso e estatura foram mensurados para calcular o índice de massa corporal. Custos com saúde foram computados retroagindo 12 meses. Resultados: A prevalência de desordens musculoesqueléticas foi 65%, sendo maior em pacientes com doenças do tecido conjuntivo (OR=4,11 [2,98-5,67]) e pessoas que levantam cargas no trabalho (OR=1,45 [1,27-1,66]). Além disso, a ocorrência de desordens musculoesqueléticas nos ombros, região lombar, joelhos e tornozelos/pés foram relacionados a maiores gastos com medicamentos e consultas médicas. Conclusão: A ocorrência de desordens musculoesqueléticas foi elevada entre estes pacientes, é afetada por sexo e atividade ocupacional e positivamente relacionada com gastos com saúde.

Psychosocial indicators among aircraft maintenance workers with and without neck and shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms

In the aircraft maintenance industry, most of workers performs manual handling tasks of different materials, varying from small objects up to large pieces of the aircraft. It can increase the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), which are strongly associated with high physical demands required by the task. Moreover, psychosocial demands are considered as risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in both the upper limbs and lumbar spine. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess psychosocial indicators among aircraft maintenance workers according to the presence of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms. Eighty workers of an aircraft maintenance company were evaluated (32.69 ± 8.25 years, 79.8 ± 13.4 kg, 175 ± 7 cm). According to physical examination, 50 workers were classified as asymptomatic (AS - 4.1 ± 3.17 positive signs) whilst 30 workers were classified as symptomatic (SS - 26.72 ± 11.44 positive signs). AS and SS have shown similar profile of demand (p = 0.62), control (p = 0.66) and social support (p = 0.74) according to the Job Content Questionnaire. However, the groups are different when considering work engagement variables. In general, SS have higher scores than AS (p < 0.05).

Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Crawfish Farmers in Louisiana—A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among crawfish farmers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of MSS in nine body regions among crawfish farmers, and to examine associations between MSS and crawfish farm work activities. Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected crawfish farmers in the State of Louisiana, USA. Site-specific MSS, demographics, and crawfish farm work information was obtained from the previous six months. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. Among the participants (N = 184), shoulder MSS were reported most frequently (62%). Wrist/hand and low back MSS were significantly associated with tractor use (ORadj = 2.89; 95% CI = 1.28–6.56) and (ORadj = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.03–5.67), respectively. Also, upper back MSS were associated with the number of years working on a crawfish farm (ORadj = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.17–8.04). Shoulder and low back MSS were common. Tractor use may increase the risk of wrist/hand and low back MSS. Future studies need accurately assess exposures to physical risk factors for MSS so ergonomic interventions can be developed.

Ergonomics in Industrialized Dairy Operations

ABSTRACT This paper presents a summary of a panel presentation by agriculture health and safety scientists on ergonomics of industrialized dairy parlor operations in the United States. Dairy industry trends in the United States were discussed in the panel presentation, which took place during the New Paths: Health and Safety in Western Agriculture conference, November 11–13, 2008. Dairy production is steadily moving to large-herd operations because of associated economies of scale and other economic and social conditions. Large-herd operations utilize a parlor milking system, as compared to a stanchion system used primarily in smaller operations. Each milking system presents different risks for worker injury. Low back, knee, and shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms were most frequently reported among workers in smaller dairy operations. Another study analyzing workers' compensation (WC) data from large-herd milking operations found nearly 50% of livestock-handling injury claims involved parlor milking activities. Nearly 27% of injuries were to the wrist, hand, and fingers, nearly 13% to the head or face, and 11% to the chest. Results indicated the vulnerability of these body parts to injury due to the worker-livestock interface during milking. More focused research should investigate milking practices and parlor designs as they relate to worker safety and health. Additional dairy-related injury research is vital given the trend towards large industrial milking operations.

Thumb postures and physical loads during mobile phone use – A comparison of young adults with and without musculoskeletal symptoms

The aim of this study was to evaluate thumb postures, thumb movements and muscle activity when using mobile phones for SMS messaging and to determine whether there were differences in these exposures (a) across various mobile phone tasks, (b) between gender and (c) between subjects with and without musculoskeletal symptoms in shoulders and upper extremities. Fifty-six young adults (15 healthy and 41 with musculoskeletal symptoms) performed a series of distinct tasks on a mobile phone. Muscular load in four forearm/hand muscles in the right arm and the right and left trapezius muscles were measured using electromyography (EMG). Thumb movements were registered using an electrogoniometer. The results showed that postures (sitting or standing) and the type of mobile phone task (holding the phone versus texting) affected muscle activity and thumb positions. Females compared to males had higher muscle activity in the extensor digitorum and the abductor pollicis longus when entering SMS messages and tended to have greater thumb abduction, higher thumb movement velocities and fewer pauses in the thumb movements. Subjects with symptoms had lower muscle activity levels in the abductor pollicis longus and tended to have higher thumb movement velocities and fewer pauses in the thumb movements compared to those without symptoms.

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and upper extremities among Iowa dairy farmers

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among U.S. dairy farmers is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of neck and upper extremity MSS, and to examine associations between symptoms and dairy operation activities among dairy farmers. Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected dairy farmers in the State of Iowa, USA. Demographic, site specific MSS, and dairy operation activity information was obtained. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated with logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. Among the participants (N = 341), shoulder MSS were reported most frequently (54%). Neck MSS were significantly associated with manually feeding (OR(adj) = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.09-4.80) and tractors use (OR(adj) = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.05-4.50). Also, wrist/hand MSS were associated with manually cleaning animal stalls (OR(adj) = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.06-3.63). Neck and upper extremity MSS were common and associated with common dairy farming practices. Future studies need to more accurately assess exposures to physical risk factors for MSS so ergonomic interventions can be developed.

Effectiveness of workstation design on reducing musculoskeletal risk factors and symptoms among semiconductor fabrication room workers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ergonomic workstation design on musculoskeletal risk factors (MRFs) and musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) reduction among female semiconductor fabrication room (fab) worker. A prospective study was conducted to follow up 40 female fab workers over 3 months after intervention. The intervention program focused on reducing shoulder loadings for 20 female fab workers by redesigning nine workstations. Simultaneous comparisons were made for the other 20 female fab workers using original workstations. One customized observation checklist and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire were used to evaluate workers’ MRFs and MSSs, respectively. One month after intervention, MRFs of awkward shoulder postures and repetitive motions and MSSs in shoulders for the intervention group were significantly lower than those for the control group. The lowering effects persisted for 3 months on awkward shoulder postures but lasted for only 1 month on repetitive motions and shoulder symptoms after intervention. Relevance to industry This study demonstrates a systematic approach for assessing effectiveness of ergonomically redesigned workstations tailored for female fab workers on reducing their awkward shoulder postures and shoulder symptoms. Industries can use our findings to design or evaluate their ergonomic intervention programs in the workplace or use our workstation specifications to purchase their manufacturing equipments in the future.