Subjective Musculoskeletal Symptoms Research Articles

Association of Smartphone Usage and Subjective Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Adolescents; A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Individuals of all ages use smartphones, from college students to the elderly. Smartphone users often use the small screen to look at the internet, talk to other people, use social networking services (SNS), write papers and do other tasks. Objective: To determine the association between smartphone usage and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms among adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out from July to December 2021 and was conducted at the Link Medical Centre, Lahore. Students from different universities in Lahore were asked to fill out a questionnaire that they would later administer to themselves. The results of the final analysis, conducted using SPSS 25.0, were based on the 365 completed questionnaires. Using SPSS statistics version 25.0, the data were analyzed. The chi-square test was applied to assess if smartphone characteristics relate to subjective musculoskeletal pain. A p-value less than or equal to 0.05 was judged statistically significant. Results: The results showed that the musculoskeletal symptoms were found in various regions in descending order of percentage as neck 24%, shoulder 25%, waist 15%, hands 10%, arms and fingers 9%. The statistics using the chi-square test showed that there was a significant correlation between less screen size and musculoskeletal symptoms in the wrist, hands, shoulders, neck and waist (p-value<0.05) except those of leg and feet and arms (p>0.05), while the same significant association was found with musculoskeletal symptoms in all regions except that it was not significantly associated with fingers. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a significant association between higher duration of smartphone usage and small screen size with musculoskeletal symptoms in various body regions, especially the upper extremity and waist. It is essential to enhance their utilization and devise a preventative program to alleviate the discomfort produced by bone and muscle dysfunction. The upcoming smart glasses can also be the solution to such musculoskeletal problems.

Does difficulty in chewing induce subjective musculoskeletal symptoms? A case-control study

ObjectivesRisk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms remain an important issue worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oral health problems such as difficulty...

The Subjective Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Dental Hygienists According to Their Treatment Posture

The Subjective Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Dental Hygienists According to Their Treatment Posture

물류창고 남성종사자의 우울과 근골격계 자각증상과의 관계

Purpose : This study was done to examine the effects of depression on the subjective musculoskeletal of the employees working in warehouses symptom. Methods : The survey was distributed to 256 workers who agreed to the survey November 1, 2019 to November 15, 2019, and the collected data was analyzed for final analysis. Results : The average of depression was 18.215 points and the musculoskeletal subjective symptoms of the study subjects were 34.1% of the musculoskeletal subjective symptoms. The persons who had a night shift had more subjective musculoskeletal symptoms 2.718 times than persons who had a day shift. The group that felt workload had subjective musculoskeletal symptoms disease 2.250 times more than the group that didn’t feel workload. The group that felt not healthy had subjective musculoskeletal symptoms 3.133 times more than the group that felt healthy. Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were 2.103 times higher in the high depressed group than in the low group. Conclusion : This study show that it is required to prepare for a plan to operate prevention program of musculoskeletal symptomsfor night shift workers in warehouse and it needs to allow employees who felt workload to take frequent rest. Finally, there is a need for a mental health promotion program to manage depression.

Lifestyle and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms in young male Japanese workers: A 16-year retrospective cohort study.

This longitudinal study was conducted from 2002 to 2018 and aimed to investigate predictive lifestyle factors for the occurrence of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms. The participants came from several employers in Japan. Setting 2002 as the baseline, we performed logistic regression analyses using lifestyle questionnaire items as explanatory variables and Stiff neck/shoulders (SN/S) and Lower back pain (LBP) as objective variables (n=16,748). Workers who responded positively to good lifestyle items with an odds ratio<1.0 and those who did not were classified in the Good (GL) and Poor lifestyle groups (PL), respectively. The survival period between the groups was compared using the log-rank test and Cox hazard regression analysis with propensity score matching (n=3,593). Based on the Cox hazard regression analysis results, the risk of SN/S was about 2.54 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.80-3.59) times higher for PL than for GL (p<0.001). Similarly, after propensity score matching, the risk was about 2.33 (95% CI: 1.07-5.10) times higher for PL than for GL (p<0.05). Further, LBP risk was about 2.45 (95% CI: 1.67-3.58) times higher for PL than for GL (p<0.001). Similarly, after propensity score matching, the risk was about 3.50 (95% CI: 1.60-7.68) times higher for PL than for GL (p<0.01). This study highlighted that workers with four good lifestyle factors (life satisfaction, hours of sleep, exercise habits, and physical fitness) presented reduced risk of subjective musculoskeletal symptom occurrence. To prevent musculoskeletal symptoms, physicians and occupational health staff should advise on workers' individual lifestyle.

Evaluation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, presumptive diagnosis, medical care use, and sick leave among female school meal service workers

BackgroundMost of the school meal service workers in Korea are middle-aged individuals. They have high workload, which increases their incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms, presumptive diagnosis, medical care use, and sick leave among female school meal workers.MethodsWe analyzed the results of musculoskeletal disease screening of 1581 female school meal workers. The screening consisted of self-administered questionnaire, history taking by occupational physicians, and physical examination. The prevalence of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms, presumptive diagnosis after initial examination by occupational physicians, use of medical care for more than 7 days, and sick leave due to musculoskeletal diseases during the past year were evaluated in this study. The relative risk of four outcome indicators of musculoskeletal disorders was compared with respect to potential factors, such as age, subjective physical loading, present illness, injury experience, and type of school, using log-binomial regression.ResultsThe prevalence of subjective musculoskeletal symptom was 79.6%; presumptive diagnosis, 47.6%; hospital visits over 7 days, 36.4%; and sick leave, 7.3%. The relative risk of musculoskeletal symptoms by age (≥50 years vs < 50 years) was 1.04 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00–1.09); presumptive diagnosis of musculoskeletal disease, 1.17 (95% CI: 1.06–1.30); hospital visits over 7 days, 1.26 (95% CI: 0.85–1.85); and sick leave, 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02–1.34). The relative risk of musculoskeletal symptoms due to subjective physical loading (very hard vs low) was 1.45 (95% CI: 1.33–1.58); presumptive diagnosis, 2.92 (95% CI: 2.25); hospital visits over 7 days, 1.91 (95% CI: 1.02–3.59); and sick leave, 2.11 (95% CI: 1.63–2.74).ConclusionsSubjective physical loading was a more important factor in musculoskeletal disorders than the age of female school meal workers.

뇌손상 가족 간병인의 근골격계 자각증상과 관련요인

본 연구는 뇌손상 진단을 받고 병원에서 재활치료를 실시하고 있는 환자의 가족 간병인 340명을 대상으로 근골격계증상을 알아보고 그 관련요인을 파악하고자 자기 기입식 설문조사를 실시하였다. 설문조사 내용은 일반적 특성, 간병활동 특성, 근골격계 자각 증상이였다. 본 연구의 조사 기간은 2014년 3월부터 4월이며, 재활병원 및 요양병원에서 수집하였다. 연구결과 독립변수에 따른 자각증상 호소율은 신체부위별로 다르게 나타났다. 요인분석의 결과는 목의 경우 초졸의 학력이 영향을 끼쳤고, 어깨의 경우 여자, 나이 50~59세, 학력 중졸, 간병기간 1년 이내와 1년 7개월 이상 2년 이내가 영향을 끼쳤다. 팔/팔꿈치의 경우 나이 40~49세, 학력 대졸, 간병기간 1년 이내와 1년 7개월 이상 2년 이내 변인이 유의한 영향을 끼쳤다. 손/손목/손가락의 경우 나이 50~59세, 간병기간 1년 이내와 1년 7개월 이상 2년 이내 변인이 통증에 유의한 영향을 끼쳤다. 다리/발의 경우 나이 50~59세, 간병기간 6개월 이내 변인이 통증에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 허리의 경우 학력 초졸 중졸 고졸, 간병기간 1년 이내와 1년 7개월 이상 2년 이내, 독립보행 불가능 변인이 통증에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 진단명 별 간병활동 특성에서 근골격계 자각증상 호소율은 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 근골격계 자각증상 호소에 가장 영향을 미치는 간병활동 동작으로는 이동하기와 보행이었다. 근골격계 자각증상에 영향을 미치는 전체 요인에 대해서는 간병 기간 1년 이내가 전체 통증에 유의한(p<.05) 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구의 결론으로는 뇌손상 환자의 가족 간병인은 환자를 간병하는 간병활동 특성에서 근골격계 질환의 위험에 노출되어 생활하는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 뇌손상 환자를 돌보는 가족 간병인의 신체부위별 근골격계 증상에 영향을 미치는 요인이 다르므로 이러한 요인에 대한 체계적이며 종합적인 예방 교육과 연구가 마련되어야 할 것이다. This study was conducted to identify factors related to the musculoskeletal symptoms of 340 family caregivers who have a patient with brain damage based on self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires included general characteristics, characteristics of care activities and caregivers' musculoskeletal symptoms. Data were collected from many long-term care hospitals and rehabilitation centers during March 17 to March 21, 2014. The results indicated that complaint rates of work-related musculoskeletal systems of the body sites differed. Factor analysis revealed that neck complaints were related to education (under mid), while shoulder complaints were related to sex (female), age (50-59), education (mid) and duration of care (< 2 years). Arm/elbow complaints were related to age (40-49), education (high) and duration of care (12-24). Complaints regarding the hand/wrist/finger were related to age (50-59) and duration of care (12-24), while those associated with the legs/feet were related to age (50-59) and duration of care (< 6[ED highlight - years? Please specify.]). Back problems were related to education (under mid, mid stage, high) and gait. The complaint rate regarding musculoskeletal symptoms during daily life was not statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis of significant factors related to subjective musculoskeletal symptoms identified ambulation and gait as having the greatest influence and complaint factor among family caregivers. The complaint rate of family caregivers differed among body parts. Being a caregiver for less than one year was found to have a significant impact on pain. Overall, long term family caregivers could be faced with risk factors for musculoskeletal problems, but there are many different factors that affect musculoskeletal symptoms with regards to their activities. Accordingly, comprehensive and systematic prevention plans for family caregivers who have patients with brain damage should be developed.

The relationship between smartphone use and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms and university students.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of smartphones by university students in selected areas, their musculoskeletal symptoms, and the associated hazard ratio. [Subjects and Methods] This involved the completion of a self-administered questionnaire by dental hygiene students in Seoul, Gyeonggido, and Gyeongsangbukdo. The 292 completed copies of the questionnaire were then analyzed. [Results] The most painful body regions after the use of smartphones were found to be the shoulders and neck. In the musculoskeletal system, back pain was found to have a positive correlation with the size of the smartphone’s liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, and pain in legs and feet were found to have a negative correlation with the length of time that the smartphone was used. As a result, it was revealed that the use of a smartphone was correlated with musculoskeletal symptoms. [Conclusion] Therefore, in today’s environment, where the use of smartphones is on the rise, it is necessary to improve the ways that they are used and to develop a preventive program to alleviate the symptoms of musculoskeletal damage.

Prevalence and risk factors of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms among cooks in Taiwan

This study investigated musculoskeletal symptoms prevalence and risk factors for restaurant cooks in Taiwan. A cross-sectional survey of a convenient sample of 765 participants was conducted in 2009. The results showed that 652 (85.2%) participants reported that they had at least one musculoskeletal symptom within the previous year. The most common musculoskeletal symptoms-affected body sites included the shoulders (63.5%), neck (59.9%), and lower back (56.9%). Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that frequent lifting of objects has a strong relationship with musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck (odds ratio, OR = 1.70), shoulders (OR = 1.70), upper back (OR = 1.58), lower back (OR = 1.75), elbow (OR = 1.61), fingers/wrists (OR = 1.68), hips/thighs (OR = 1.50), and knees (OR = 1.53). The working hours per day were associated with elbow (OR = 1.11), fingers/wrists (OR = 1.09), and knees (OR = 1.12). Female cooks had a higher risk of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper back than male cooks (OR = 1.55). Higher body mass index was also related to musculoskeletal symptoms of the shoulders and ankles/feet. In conclusion, this study shows that cooks are at high risk for musculoskeletal symptoms, and some lifestyle and occupational factors are related to this higher prevalence among cooks.

한 종합병원 간호사들의 근골격계 자각증상과 관련요인

This study evaluated the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and investigated the related factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among nurses in a university hospital. For 249 nurses working at the ward, we used the self-administered questionnaires to examine sociodemographic, health related factors, job-related, subjective musculoskeletal symptoms designed by NIOSH. during the period from Aug. 1st to Aug. 31st, 2010. As a results, one and more of musculoskeletal symptoms was 66.3%, and two and more of that was 45.8%. The complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms were 44.2% in the shoulders, 33.7% in the low back, 33.3% in the legs/feet, 29.7% in the neck, 14.9% in the hands/wrists/fingers, 4.8% in the arms/elbows. For the age adjusted odds ratio for the musculoskeletal symptoms of neck, shoulders, low back and legs/feet, the groups who are shift work, staff nurse, who reported that their subjective health status are not good, and whose physical burden of works are hard were increased than their respective counterparts. In conclusion, the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms was differently revealed by variable factors such as sociodemographic, health related factors and job-related factors.

Subjective Symptoms of Female Workers Sorting Goods in Summer

Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms are more frequently complained about in cold store work and in related conditions than those experienced in normal temperature work. This cross sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of indoor cooling and cold storage goods on the prevalence of subjective symptoms in summer. Female workers sorting cold storage goods (exposed group) were the main subjects of this study (n=47). We also included a group of female workers engaged sorting dry goods as the unexposed to cold group (n=86). Work load for the two groups were estimated according to the recommended criteria. A self-administered questionnaire covering age, occupational career, smoking, alcohol drinking and physical exercise, present or past history of diseases, individual protective measures against cold or heat, and subjective symptoms (60 items) was used. The air temperature of the site at the start of working time for the workers sorting cold storage goods was 22.2℃ which was significantly lower than those measured for the other two work places (25.4℃ and 25.4℃) of the unexposed to cold group. Environmental temperatures at the foot level at the sorting workshop of cold storage goods and dry goods were ca.16℃ and 26℃ all day, respectively. The surface temperatures of cold storage goods were between -2.8℃ and 9.4℃. The surface temperature of dry goods was 26.5℃. Among the working characteristic items, only daily working hours in the exposed group (5.6 ± 0.6 h) were significantly longer than those in the unexposed to cold group (4.6 ± 0.9 h) (p<0.01). The prevalence rates of finger cold sensation, stiffness in the fingers, pain in the wrist, pain in the elbow, back dullness, back pain, low-back cold sensation, foot cold sensation and pain in the foot in the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the unexposed to cold group (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Pain in the fingers, numbness in the fingers, pain in the foot and foot numbness due to the cold in the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the unexposed to cold group (p<0.05 or p<0.01). These results suggest that indoor cooling and/or job activities related to cold storage goods could, to some extent, affect peripheral circulatory disturbances; and it could be regarded as a factor related to musculoskeletal symptoms among the exposed workers.

Subjective Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Winter and Summer among Indoor Working Construction Electricians

To evaluate the effects of cold exposure on the musculoskeletal system, two surveys on the subjective musculoskeletal symptoms among male electricians working in the buildings under construction were performed in winter (N=74) and summer seasons (N=83). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on age, occupational career, working habit, present illness, and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms. Mean age, occupational career and daily smoking of the supervisors were significantly higher than those of the other subjects. In general, prevalence rates of stiffness, numbness, pain and Raynaud's phenomenon in the fingers, finger cold sensation, dull movement of the fingers, pain in the wrist, knee joint pain, pain and numbness in the foot and foot cold sensation in winter were significantly higher than those in summer. These results were marked especially in the workers except supervisors. In winter, there were no significant differences in the prevalence rates of subjective musculoskeletal complaints between the supervisors and the other workers. On the other hand, in summer, prevalence of stiffness and pain in the shoulder, stiffness and pain in the neck, dullness and pain in the arm, finger cold sensation, low back dullness and low back pain in the supervisors were significantly higher than those in the other workers. These results suggest that effects of cold on the musculoskeletal symptoms markedly appeared in the workers except supervisors.

Subjective Symptoms among Female Workers and Winter Working Conditions in a Consumer Cooperative

Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms are more frequently complained about in cold store work and in related conditions than in normal temperature work. This cross sectional study was undertaken (a) to explore the prevalence of subjective symptoms in winter among a group of female workers engaged in classification of cold storage goods, and in a group of female checkers in several supermarkets of a large consumer cooperative; and (b) to give recommendations for improving the winter working conditions of these workers. The subjects consisted of 46 workers engaged in classification of cold storage goods, 56 checkers operating a laser scanner in supermarkets and 59 office workers (control group). Work loads for the three groups were estimated according to the recommended criteria. A self-administered questionnaire covering age, occupational career, smoking, alcohol drinking and physical exercise, present or past history of diseases, individual protective measures against cold, and subjective symptoms (54 items) was used. The air temperature of the working site at the opening time for classification workers was 4.8 degrees C which was significantly lower than those measured for the other two work places (12.1 degrees C and 15.8 degrees C). About 70 to 80% of classification workers complained of cold sensation in different body regions, as well as shoulder stiffness, and problems related to the back. The supermarket checkers and office workers had a high prevalence of cold sensation in their feet. The frequencies of using warm clothes and foot heaters, as an individual measure to work comfortably in winter among the classification workers and the checkers were significantly higher than that among the office workers. We concluded that work difficulty due to moderate cold exposure among workers in the consumer cooperative could be reduced by some physical activity as well as proper clothes.

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.