Introduction: Smartphones with rapid advancement in telecommunication technology causing high usage leads to addiction, especially among youth. Concerning health, smartphone addiction influences ...posture causing neck-shoulder pain. However, the mechanism of how smartphone addiction causes pain related to posture control is still doubtful. Anticipatory feed-forward motor control mechanism has proposed that smartphone usage is a static low-level activity influenced by muscle fatigue and discomfort. Therefore, this study aimed to explore neck-shoulder muscle fatigue, particularly at the upper trapezius about smartphone addiction behaviors and adopted posture while using smartphones among youth. This study aims to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction, risk of posture and the relationship between trapezius muscle fatigue, and neck-shoulder pain among youth. Methods: A cross-sectional study design will be conducted through convenient sampling among students at secondary schools in Malaysia. The Smartphone Addiction Scale, Rapid Assessment Upper Limb, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Electromyogram will be used as outcomes tools. Discussion: This study investigates the risk of smartphones in terms of duration usage among adults. Fatigue over the upper trapezius muscle has not yet been investigated among youth which will provide fundamental findings on how faulty posture during smartphone usage might cause neck pain.
Introduction: Smartphones with rapid advancement in telecommunication technology causing high usage leads to addiction, especially among youth. Concerning health, smartphone addiction influences ...posture causing neck-shoulder pain. However, the mechanism of how smartphone addiction causes pain related to posture control is still doubtful. Anticipatory feed-forward motor control mechanism has proposed that smartphone usage is a static low-level activity influenced by muscle fatigue and discomfort. Therefore, this study aimed to explore neck-shoulder muscle fatigue, particularly at the upper trapezius about smartphone addiction behaviors and adopted posture while using smartphones among youth. This study aims to investigate the relationship between smartphone addiction, risk of posture and the relationship between trapezius muscle fatigue, and neck-shoulder pain among youth.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design will be conducted through convenient sampling among students at secondary schools in Malaysia. The Smartphone Addiction Scale, Rapid Assessment Upper Limb, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Electromyogram will be used as outcomes tools.
Discussion: This study investigates the risk of smartphones in terms of duration usage among adults. Fatigue over the upper trapezius muscle has not yet been investigated among youth which will provide fundamental findings on how faulty posture during smartphone usage might cause neck pain.
Background
Exoskeleton (EXO) technologies are a promising ergonomic intervention to reduce the risk of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders, with efficacy supported by laboratory‐ and field‐based ...studies. However, there is a lack of field‐based evidence on long‐term effects of EXO use on physical demands.
Methods
A longitudinal, controlled research design was used to examine the effects of arm‐support exoskeleton (ASE) use on perceived physical demands during overhead work at nine automotive manufacturing facilities. Data were collected at five milestones (baseline and at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months) using questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to understand the effects of ASE use on perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD). Analyses were based on a total of 41 participants in the EXO group and 83 in a control group.
Results
Across facilities, perceived work intensity and MSD scores did not differ significantly between the EXO and control groups. In some facilities, however, neck and shoulder MSD scores in the EXO group decreased over time. Wrist MSD scores in the EXO group in some facilities remained unchanged, while those scores increased in the control group over time. Upper arm and low back MSD scores were comparable between the experimental groups.
Conclusion
Longitudinal effects of ASE use on perceived physical demands were not found, though some suggestive results were evident. This lack of consistent findings is discussed, particularly supporting the need for systematic and evidence‐based ASE implementation approaches in the field that can guide the optimal selection of a job for ASE use.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This study determined whether a passive shoulder-support exoskeleton would reduce biomechanical load in the shoulders during augmented reality (AR) interactions. Twenty participants were recruited to ...a repeated-measures laboratory study to perform AR tasks with and without a shoulder-support exoskeleton. The AR tasks consisted of two standardized tasks (omni-directional pointing and cube placing task). Shoulder muscle activity, postures, discomfort, and task performance (i.e., completion time) were measured during the experimental sessions. The result showed that the shoulder muscle activity (trapezius and deltoid muscles) and subjective shoulder discomfort were significantly lower with the exoskeleton compared to the no-exoskeleton condition (p < 0.05). The shoulder posture data showed that the exoskeleton use increased the 50th percentile of the shoulder flexion (p = 0.02). In contrast, the exoskeleton had limited effects on task performance (p > 0.83). These results suggested that a shoulder-support exoskeleton may have potential to reduce shoulder strain during AR interactions.
Full text
Available for:
NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Surgeons are often exposed to many ergonomic risk factors during open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgical procedures, which lead to pain or discomfort in alarmingly high percentages of ...surgeons. Ergonomic risk factors specific to colon and rectal surgery subspecialty have been hypothesized, but little research has been done on this topic. To investigate this, an ergonomics-centered case study was performed with an experienced colon and rectal surgeon at a teaching hospital to investigate their experiences with surgery, ergonomics, and musculoskeletal pain. Specifically, a semi-structured interview was performed with the participant, and skin surface electromyography electrodes were placed on the participant to record muscle activity data as they performed rectal surgeries using open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgical techniques. The results of this case study indicate that for this participant, robotic surgery may provide the most relief from current pain and discomfort; however, the relationship between muscle activation and surgical modality is complex, and both qualitative and quantitative methods are needed to provide a complete ergonomic analysis of colon and rectal surgery in a teaching hospital setting.
Full text
Available for:
NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objectives: Construction workers are particularly vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders, yet the number of studies conducted in developing nations-where these workers contribute significantly to ...the economy-remains insufficient. This study aims to explore the interaction between physical and psychosocial exposure and the onset of neck pain or symptoms among construction workers in a developing country.Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 235 respondents from various construction projects participated in this study. Participants were assigned to one of 4 exposure groups: low physical and low psychosocial (which served as the reference group); low physical and high psychosocial; high physical and low psychosocial; and high physical and high psychosocial. To quantitatively assess the interaction, we calculated the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI).Results: Workers experiencing high levels of both physical and psychosocial risk factors had the highest odds ratio (OR) of neck symptoms (OR: 12.63; 95% CI: 3.39-46.99) compared with other groups. The AP (0.33; 95% CI: −0.24 to 0.90), RERI (0.40; 95% CI: −0.99 to 1.79), and SI (1.69; 95% CI: −1.77 to 5.15) revealed an interaction between physical and psychosocial factors that increases the OR of neck symptoms.Conclusions: This result suggests that physical risk factors at work become significantly more detrimental when paired with high psychosocial stress. Hence, ergonomic interventions in the construction industry aiming to reduce musculoskeletal disorders should consider both physical and psychosocial risk factors concurrently.
Full text
Available for:
CEKLJ, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This study aims to develop and implement an ergonomic intervention program at the workplace of knowledge workers, and to evaluate its impact on the reduction of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and ...musculoskeletal symptoms. 84 workers were part of the study (mean age 43.2 ± 9.7 years). The intervention included training, delivery of a packaging of artificial tears, and adjustments in workstations. It was conducted intensively along 6 weeks. Data was collected on-site, with questionnaires administered pre-intervention, 2 months after, and 4 months after. Participants exhibited behavioural changes, especially in workplace adjustments and visual rest. By the intervention's end, over 90% had correctly adjusted screens and adopted appropriate postures, while 42.7% adhered to the 20x20x20 rule. CVS severity and prevalence decreased, but not significantly across the three time points. Significant improvements were observed in upper back and neck musculoskeletal symptoms at the end of workdays. Findings suggest that an ergonomic intervention program can benefit employees by reducing visual and musculoskeletal symptoms.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Objective: Association of musculoskeletal discomfort with physical activity among final year DPT students in Peshawar Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on total of 167 final year DPT ...students in Peshawar was carried out from 1st April to 1st August, 2020 after ethical approval from the institutional review board (IRB) of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. After informed consent, two standard questionnaires were used i.e. international physical Activity Questionnaire-short form to assess the level of physical activity and standard Nordic questionnaire to find musculoskeletal discomforts. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables while mean and standard deviations were calculated for continues variables. Association of Physical activity with musculoskeletal discomfort was found through Chi square test. Results: Our study results showed high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in final year DPT students that is 82.3%. Most commonly affected region was low back (43.3%). 48.9% students were in moderate level of physical activity. Through chi-square test, there were no association between physical activity and musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: In association of physical activity level with musculoskeletal discomfort none of the areas have P-value less than 0.05 so it means there was no association of physical activity with any of musculoskeletal discomfort during 12 months. Key Words: Lack of Physical Activity, Musculoskeletal Pain, Physical Activity, Physical Inactivity.
Compare musculoskeletal discomfort, productivity, postural risks, and perceived fatigue for a sit-stand-walk intervention between two workstation configurations – one, individually customized for ...office workers according to ergonomic guidelines (Ergo-Fit); another, self-adjusted by office workers according to their preference (Self-Adjusted).
36 participants performed a 60-min computer typing task in both configurations using a within-participants, counterbalanced design. Musculoskeletal discomfort and perceived fatigue were reported through surveys; productivity was operationalized by typing speed and typing error; postural risks were assessed by RULA for seated work, and REBA for standing work.
Musculoskeletal discomfort and perceived fatigue did not vary significantly between configurations. Postural risks for seated and standing work were significantly lower for Ergo-Fit configuration; productivity was significantly higher for Self-Adjusted configuration.
Use of Ergo-Fit configuration for a sit-stand-walk intervention can facilitate postural transitions and increase physical activity, while enabling neutral postures in seated and standing work to minimize postural risks.
•Ergo-Fit configuration enables neutral postures and minimizes postural risks.•Ergo-Fit and Self-Adjusted configurations report similar musculoskeletal discomfort.•Ergo-Fit and Self-Adjusted configurations report similar perceived fatigue.•Self-Adjusted configuration shows evidence for greater typing productivity.•Ergo-Fit configuration offers reasonable tradeoff between postural risks and productivity.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Abstract This study evaluated the effects of psychosocial factors on the risk of WRMD symptoms in Brazilian footwear industry workers. The workers’ perceptions regarding psychosocial factors and ...frequency of body pain were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression modeling was used to estimate the risk (Odds Ratio) of a worker more frequently exhibiting a symptom due to psychosocial factors. It was observed that some psychosocial factors, such as stress, contribute to WRMD in men, increasing the chance of symptoms in the knee (OR=3.07; p-value=0.036). In women, the ‘job dissatisfaction’ factor contributes to WRMD, increasing the chance of pain in the elbow (OR=4.83; p-value=0.007). It was concluded that a greater number of psychosocial factors influences the development of WRMD in male workers, although the effect these factors be discreet. In women, less psychosocial factors are related to WRMD, however its influence is very significant.
PDF
