Distal upper extremity musculoskeletal risk factors associated with colonoscopy

Gastroenterologists are at increased risk for developing recurrent thumb, hand, and elbow pain due to colonoscopy procedures. We evaluated forearm muscle loads and wrist postures during routine colonoscopy (N=12 gastroenterologists) to understand distal upper extremity musculoskeletal risk factors associated with the 4 different subtasks of colonoscopy. Bilateral forearm extensor carpiradialis (ECR) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) surface electromyography and bilateral wrist postures were recorded continuously. The mean duration of colonoscopy was 24.2 (± 12.1) minutes and was dominated by the withdrawal subtask [13.7 (± 8.8) min] followed by right colon insertion [5.8 (± 4.8) min], left colon insertion [3.5 (± 3.1) min], and retroflexion [1.2 (± 2.1) min]. Median (APDF50) and peak (APDF90) left forearm muscle activity was significantly greater than right forearm muscle activity across all subtasks. Median and peak ECR muscle activity was significantly greater during the left and right colon insertion subtasks compared to retroflexion. Both wrists were predominantly in wrist extension during all phases of colonoscopy. The left forearm muscle activity was higher than right forearm activity due to differences in wrist posture and grip force. The risk factors for the left hand may be reduced with alternative designs and support mechanisms for the colonoscope head.     

Ergonomics in a hospital and a university setting: The effect of worksite analysis on upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals with work-related injuries receiving worksite analysis would have less lost workdays than individuals not receiving worksite analysis. Therapeutic management of work-related injuries in a hospital and a university setting were also compared. STUDY DESIGN: Over a one-year period, employees who sustained an upper extremity work-related injury were issued questionnaires regarding their injury, treatment, functional status and pain level. Participants were divided into three groups: group 1 consisted of hospital employees (N=14) who underwent worksite analysis, group 2 included university employees (N=15) who underwent worksite analysis whereas group~3 included university employees (N=14) who underwent no analysis. RESULTS: All groups were similar in demographics, functional status, and pain level. Satisfaction with the worksite analysis was similar for groups one and two. CONCLUSION: A pattern of less absenteeism but greater modified duty days was associated with those individuals undergoing worksite analysis.     

Effect of ergonomic and workstyle risk factors on work related musculoskeletal disorders among IT professionals in India

'Workstyle' can be described as a mechanism by which ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors interact to affect the development, exacerbation and/or maintenance of upper limb pain and functional limitations. Workstyle is associated with the increase in the work demand. In today's life use of computer in the workplace is very common and it causes to increase the work demand among the workers who are working with computer. As work demand increase, according to the characteristic of workstyle, risk of the development of musculoskeletal disorders also increased. This study aimed at to findout the association between ergonomics risk factors, workstyle and WRMSD. Two hundred IT professionals participated in this study. Result revealed that most prevalenet body regions were lower back (20%), Upper back (16%) and shoulder (14%). Study result says that there is a positive association between workstyle score with musculoskeletal pain (r=0.85). Also it revealed that posture and regional pain is associated (r=0.62), per day use of computer and musculoskeletal pain (r=0.46), micro breaks and pain (r=0.87) and productivity and the pain (r=0.95). This study further validates these observations and extends support for the assessment of working postures and workstyle behaviors during the design of WMSD treatment.     

Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in office work: a case study

Twelve recently built office work stations, where jobs imply continued use of information and communication technologies, were analyzed for ergonomic risk factors. Based on a literature review of ergonomic recommendations for computer and general office work, a checklist was devised for assistance in identifying inadequate ergonomic situations, a process that was informed by pain complaints information. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) was selected to estimate the risk of MSDs, considering the criteria of applicability and appropriateness to the case studied. This method was applied by an occupational health and safety technician to the most critical job observed in the workplace. Criticality was estimated through observations aided by the systematic use of a checklist tailored to the specific office scenario. Recommendations for change were provided for implementation in all workplaces in the office, in order to improve work conditions, and guide the setup of a MSD prevention training program.     

Associations between psychosocial risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders: application to the IT profession in India

The exponential growth of the information technology (IT) industry in India has been accompanied with a substantial increase in the reporting of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The purpose of the current study was to identify and assess the contributions of prevalent psychosocial factors on perceived WMSD outcomes among IT professionals from India. About 77 IT professionals from India completed a survey set consisting of 26 question items from the Job Content Questionnaire and 3 separate question items pertaining to WMSD outcomes (pain/discomfort and psychological stress scores). The findings suggest prevalence of existing pain (shoulder/neck and low back) in more than one-fourth of the respondents. Additionally two-thirds of the respondents had never had any ergonomics awareness training. Co-worker support and psychological work demands were found to be the strongest contributors of psychosocial risk factors towards pain/discomfort and psychological stress outcomes. Findings from this study highlight the influence of certain psychosocial traits of the Indian IT workplace on perceived WMSD outcomes. There is a need to develop and implement intervention strategies to address these factors that may help lower the risk of work-related musculoskeletal pain.     

Analysis of urban cleanness agents' workstation on the appearance of work related musculoskeletal disorders

This study had as objective to evaluate the workstation of the responsible for the collection of urban garbage in relation to the factors associates with the appearance or aggravation of WMRD, as well as identifying signals and symptoms of these illnesses in the related professionals. For this, was developed a form with open and closed questions, that approached item relative to the identification of the searched, to the organization and execution of the work and to the signals and symptoms of WMRD, e that was applied in 44 agents in a company of collection of urban residues in a Brazilian metropolis. As the results can be evidenced that between the factors that the cleanness' agents are susceptible to the appearance of WMRD can detach the lack of orientation of these professionals as the positions adopted in the work, the lack of training and qualification, as well as the repetitivity of tasks and not use of individual protection equipment. However, yet with the existence of innumerable factors of risk, evidenced a small incidence of pain.     

Risk factors, clinical features and outcome of treatment of work related musculoskeletal disorders in on-site clinics among IT companies in India

Workrelated musculoskeletal disorders among the IT professional is a common area of concern worldwide. This study was taken up to analyze the prevalence of risk factors, clinical features and outcome of treatment in onsite clinics in vaious information technology companies in India. Result revealed poor office ergonomics (54%), lack of keyboard tray (25%), lack of mouse tray (35%), lack of foot rest (60%), improper monitor height (80%) were the major self reported risk factors. Major identified MSD were Myofascial Pain Syndrome (49.20%), Thoracic outlet syndrome (25.02%), Fibromyalgia syndrome (8.5%). Majorly affected body regions were neck (64.9%), shoulder (42.1%), lower back (56.5%) and thigh (34.2%). The results were comparable with the literature. Feedback of the participants also revealed most of the participants were well satisfied with SHARAN's protocol.     

Work-related upper extremity injuries: prevalence,cost and risk factors in military and civilian populations

Persons with musculoskeletal-related disorders represent a prevalent source of outpatient visits, lost work time and disability in the military; however, research concerning the extent of work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs) within this population is lacking. This literature review examined studies in civilian and military settings to ascertain the prevalence, cost and risk factors associated with WRUEDs. The results indicated that the prevalence and cost of WRUEDs in the civilian workforce are significant, justifying the need to research the military population. The literature also outlined physical, individual and psychosocial factors associated with WRUEDs that will help identify potential risk factors within military occupations.     

Navigating the gendered academy: women in social work academia

ABSTRACT

Women fare less well than men across all academic disciplines: they are less likely to be promoted, they earn less, and many more professors are men. There has, however, been little analysis to date of the experience of women in social work education, a discipline that has historically had higher representation of female staff and students. This study set out to explore women in the social work academy through a case-study of social work education in Scotland. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a review of relevant literature; an online survey of women and men academics in social work education; and semi-structured interviews with female social work leaders, past and present. The study found that women in the social work academy faced the same pressures as other women in higher education; some of these pressures were also shared by men. Most significant, however, was the extent to which women in social work academia experienced twin challenges, firstly, as female academics and secondly, as female social work academics in a discipline that struggles for recognition in the academy. We conclude that this makes for a contradictory and, at times, ambiguous experience for women as they navigate the gendered academy.