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Choobineh A, Dortaj E, Razeghi M, Ghaem H, Daneshmandi H. Assessment of Load Manual Lifting among Shelf-Stoking Workers in Chain Stores: A Cross-Sectional Study. Appl Bionics Biomech 2024; 2024:2324416. [PMID: 39144397 PMCID: PMC11324367 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2324416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In Iranian stores, shelf workers, in addition to shelf-stocking, perform diverse tasks, such as working as a cashier, cleaning, barcode reading, labeling goods, and entering the price with the portable data terminal (PDT). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSs) and assess load manual lifting among shelf-stoking workers. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 101 shelf-stoking workers (60 males and 41 females) in chain stores at Shiraz city, Iran. The subjects were selected by cluster sampling from chain stores in Shiraz city, namely Refah, Canbo, Soroush, and Tirazis. Then, the required number of samples was selected and entered into the study from each cluster in proportion. The Persian version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health-variable lifting index method were used to collect the required data. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22 using the Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and linear regression. Ankles/feet, lower back, and knees had the highest prevalence of WMSs among the participants. About 70.3% of workers had a VLI higher than 1. There was an association between gender and VLI. The VLI was higher in males than females. The study's findings revealed that the medians of the VLI were significantly different among participants with/without upper back symptoms during 12 months prior to the study and among participants with/without lower back symptoms during 7 days prior to the study. According to the linear regression analysis, gender and lower back symptoms during 7 days prior to the study remained in the model and were associated with the VLI. The findings revealed that the back region of the shelf-stoking workers is prone to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, based on the results, gender and lower back symptoms during the 7 days prior to the study were predicting variables for VLI. This study provides an overview of pain/discomfort and postural load in shelf-stoking workers. Since the principles of ergonomics for the placement and layout of shelves are the same in all stores, the findings of the present study can be used in other stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Choobineh
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Elahe Dortaj
- Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Razeghi
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Haleh Ghaem
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hadi Daneshmandi
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Bláfoss R, Aagaard P, Clausen T, Andersen LL. Association of objectively measured lifting load with low-back pain, stress, and fatigue: A prospective cohort study. Scand J Work Environ Health 2024; 50:11-21. [PMID: 37930317 PMCID: PMC10917448 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Limited knowledge exists about the association of lifting loads on a daily basis with physical and mental symptoms among warehouse workers. This study investigated associations between objectively measured lifting load and low-back pain (LBP), mental stress, and bodily fatigue after work and the following morning. METHODS Warehouse workers (N=85) from the retail industry replied to daily questionnaires before and after work for 21 days about LBP intensity, mental stress, and bodily fatigue (outcome, all scales 0-10). We assessed lifting exposure using company records from the warehouse logistic systems on total lifting load (kg) per workday. Associations between variables were tested using linear mixed models with repeated measures controlling for relevant confounders. RESULTS Mean daily lifting load was 1667.2 kg (range: 0-9998.4 kg). Compared to lifting 0-499 kg during a workday, lifting 500-1999 kg was associated with 0.59 points [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10-1.08] elevated LBP intensity after work, while lifting ≥5000 showed a higher LBP intensity of 1.26 points (95% CI 0.48-2.03). LBP intensity remained elevated the following morning. Lifting ≥5000 kg was associated with higher mental stress after work of 0.74 points (95% CI 0.10-1.37), while no association was observed for bodily fatigue. CONCLUSIONS Higher daily lifting loads were associated with higher LBP intensity after work and the following morning. These findings suggest that warehouses should consider the daily lifting loads when organizing warehouse work to prevent development of LBP, eg, using company records to provide a more equal distribution of daily lifting loads between workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rúni Bláfoss
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Samanta A, Lufkin T, Kraus P. Intervertebral disc degeneration-Current therapeutic options and challenges. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1156749. [PMID: 37483952 PMCID: PMC10359191 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1156749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is a normal part of aging. Due to the spine's declining function and the development of pain, it may affect one's physical health, mental health, and socioeconomic status. Most of the intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) therapies today focus on the symptoms of low back pain rather than the underlying etiology or mechanical function of the disc. The deteriorated disc is typically not restored by conservative or surgical therapies that largely focus on correcting symptoms and structural abnormalities. To enhance the clinical outcome and the quality of life of a patient, several therapeutic modalities have been created. In this review, we discuss genetic and environmental causes of IVDD and describe promising modern endogenous and exogenous therapeutic approaches including their applicability and relevance to the degeneration process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Petra Kraus
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
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Liu J, Qu X, Liu Y. Influence of Load Knowledge on Biomechanics of Asymmetric Lifting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063207. [PMID: 35328894 PMCID: PMC8954281 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Load knowledge has been identified as a factor affecting the risk of low back pain (LBP) during symmetric lifting. However, the effects of load knowledge in asymmetric lifting tasks have not been reported yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the load knowledge influence on lifting biomechanics in asymmetric lifting tasks; Methods: Twenty-four male adults were recruited to complete a psychophysical lifting capacity test and a simulated asymmetric lifting task. The lifting task was set with load knowledge of 'no knowledge' (NK), 'weight known' (WK), 'fragile material known' (FK), and 'weight and fragile material known' (WFK) for different lifting load weights. Trunk kinematics and kinetics were collected and analyzed; Results: When fragility information was presented, trunk sagittal flexion acceleration, lateral flexion velocity and acceleration, and average lateral bending moment were significantly lowered at the deposit phase. Lifting a high load weight was found to significantly increase low back sagittal bending moment at the lifting phase and low back moments of all three dimensions at the deposit phase; Conclusions: The decrease of trunk kinematic load suggests that providing material fragility information to workers in asymmetric lifting tasks would be effective in reducing their risk of LBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junshi Liu
- Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.L.); (Y.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xingda Qu
- Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.L.); (Y.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-755-8696-5716
| | - Yipeng Liu
- Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (J.L.); (Y.L.)
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Salo S, Hurri H, Rikkonen T, Sund R, Kröger H, Sirola J. Association between severe lumbar disc degeneration and self-reported occupational physical loading. J Occup Health 2022; 64:e12316. [PMID: 35084078 PMCID: PMC8793002 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Occupational physical loading has been reported to be associated with intervertebral disc degeneration. However, previous literature reports inconsistent results for different vertebral levels. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) at different vertebral levels and the self‐reported physical loading of occupation. Methods The study population consisted of 1,022 postmenopausal women and was based on the prospective Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention (OSTPRE) study cohort. The severity of LDD was graded from T2‐weighted MRI images using the five‐grade Pfirrmann classification. Five intervertebral levels (L1–L2 to L5–S1) were studied (total 5110 discs). The self‐rated occupational physical loading contained four groups: sedentary, light, moderate, and heavy. Results The heavy occupational physical loading group had higher odds for severe LDD at the L5–S1 vertebral level (OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.19–2.92, p = .006) in comparison with the sedentary work group. A clear trend of increasing disc degeneration with heavier occupational loading was also observed at the L5–S1 level. Age, smoking, and higher body mass index (BMI) were associated with more severe LDD. Leisure‐time physical activity at the age of 11–17 years was associated with less severe LDD. Controlling for confounding factors did not alter the results. Conclusions There appears to be an association between occupational physical loading and severe disc degeneration at the lower lumbar spine in postmenopausal women. Individuals in occupations with heavy physical loading may have an increased risk for work‐related disability due to more severe disc degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Salo
- Kuopio musculoskeletal research unit (KMRU), Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heidi Hurri
- Kuopio musculoskeletal research unit (KMRU), Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Toni Rikkonen
- Kuopio musculoskeletal research unit (KMRU), Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Reijo Sund
- Kuopio musculoskeletal research unit (KMRU), Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heikki Kröger
- Kuopio musculoskeletal research unit (KMRU), Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Joonas Sirola
- Kuopio musculoskeletal research unit (KMRU), Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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Carlesso LC, Tousignant-Laflamme Y, Shaw W, Larivière C, Choinière M. Exploring pain phenotypes in workers with chronic low back pain: Application of IMMPACT recommendations. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PAIN-REVUE CANADIENNE DE LA DOULEUR 2021; 5:43-55. [PMID: 33987523 PMCID: PMC7951157 DOI: 10.1080/24740527.2020.1870103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major cause of disability globally. Stratified care has been proposed as a means to improve prognosis and treatment but is generally based on limited aspects of pain, including biopsychosocial drivers. Aims: Following Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) recommendations, the present study explored pain phenotypes with a sample of workers with CLBP, a population for which no pain phenotypes have been derived to date. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 154 workers with CLBP attending a rehabilitation clinic, recruited in person and from social media. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with different pain profiles based on ten pain indicators (pain variability, pain intensity, pain quality, somatization, sleep quality, depression, fatigue, pain catastrophizing, neuropathic pain, and central sensitization). Results: The majority of the sample (85%) were recruited through social media. Both the two-class and three-class solutions were found to be satisfactory in distinguishing phenotypes of workers with CLBP. Three variables proved particularly important in distinguishing between the pain phenotypes—pain quality, fatigue, and central sensitization—with higher scores on these indicators associated with pain phenotypes with higher pain burden. Increased chronic pain self-efficacy, work-related support, and perceived work abilities were protective risk factors for being in a higher pain burden class. Conclusions: The present study is the first to explore IMMPACT recommendations for pain phenotyping with workers with CLBP. Future prospective research will be needed to validate the proposed pain phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C Carlesso
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yannick Tousignant-Laflamme
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.,Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - William Shaw
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Christian Larivière
- Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal (CCSMTL), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Manon Choinière
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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