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Shockey T, Alterman T, Yang H, Lu ML. Workplace Psychosocial Factors, Work Organization, and Physical Exertion as Risk Factors for Low Back Pain Among US Workers: Data From the 2015 National Health Interview Survey. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:467-474. [PMID: 38471812 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between workplace psychosocial, organization, and physical risk factors with low back pain (LBP) among US workers. METHODS 2015 National Health Interview Survey data were analyzed to calculate the prevalence rates and prevalence ratios for LBP across levels of workplace psychosocial and organizational risk factors among 17,464 US adult workers who worked ≥20 hours per week. Results were also stratified by workplace physical exertion. RESULTS The adjusted prevalence rates of LBP were significantly elevated for workers reporting high job demand, low job control, work-family imbalance, bullying, job insecurity, working alternate shifts, and physical exertion. Job control and nonstandard shifts were significantly associated with LBP only among those who reported low/no physical exertion. CONCLUSIONS LBP prevalence was associated with select workplace psychosocial and organization risk factors. Stratification by physical exertion modified multiple associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Shockey
- From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio (T.S., T.A., M.-L.L.); and University of California-Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, California (H.Y.)
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Lind CM. A Rapid Review on the Effectiveness and Use of Wearable Biofeedback Motion Capture Systems in Ergonomics to Mitigate Adverse Postures and Movements of the Upper Body. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3345. [PMID: 38894134 PMCID: PMC11175029 DOI: 10.3390/s24113345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Work-related diseases and disorders remain a significant global health concern, necessitating multifaceted measures for mitigation. One potential measure is work technique training utilizing augmented feedback through wearable motion capture systems. However, there exists a research gap regarding its current effectiveness in both real work environments and controlled settings, as well as its ability to reduce postural exposure and retention effects over short, medium, and long durations. A rapid review was conducted, utilizing two databases and three previous literature reviews to identify relevant studies published within the last twenty years, including recent literature up to the end of 2023. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 14 were of high or moderate quality. These studies were summarized descriptively, and the strength of evidence was assessed. Among the included studies, six were rated as high quality, while eight were considered moderate quality. Notably, the reporting of participation rates, blinding of assessors, and a-priori power calculations were infrequently performed. Four studies were conducted in real work environments, while ten were conducted in controlled settings. Vibration feedback was the most common feedback type utilized (n = 9), followed by auditory (n = 7) and visual feedback (n = 1). All studies employed corrective feedback initiated by the system. In controlled environments, evidence regarding the effectiveness of augmented feedback from wearable motion capture systems to reduce postural exposure ranged from strong evidence to no evidence, depending on the time elapsed after feedback administration. Conversely, for studies conducted in real work environments, the evidence ranged from very limited evidence to no evidence. Future reach needs are identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl M Lind
- IMM Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Varrecchia T, Ranavolo A, Chini G, De Nunzio AM, Draicchio F, Martinez-Valdes E, Falla D, Conforto S. High-density surface electromyography allows to identify risk conditions and people with and without low back pain during fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting activities. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2023; 73:102839. [PMID: 37948840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2023.102839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability in the workplace, often caused by manually lifting of heavy loads. Instrumental-based assessment tools are used to quantitatively assess the biomechanical risk of lifting activities. This study aims to verify that, during the execution of fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting, high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) allows the discrimination of healthy controls (HC) versus people with LBP and biomechanical risk levels. Fifteen HC and eight people with LBP performed three lifting tasks with a progressively increasing lifting index, each lasting 15 min. Erector spinae (ES) activity was recorded using HDsEMG and amplitude parameters were calculated to characterize the spatial distribution of muscle activity. LBP group showed a less ES activity than HC (lower root mean square across the grid and of the activation region) and an involvement of the same muscular area across the task (lower coefficient of variation of the center of gravity of muscle activity). The results indicate the usefulness of HDsEMG parameters to classify risk levels for both HC and LBP groups and to determine differences between them. The findings suggest that the use of HDsEMG could expand the capabilities of existing instrumental-based tools for biomechanical risk classification during lifting activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giorgia Chini
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Marco De Nunzio
- LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, Differdange 4671, Luxembourg; Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, Differdange 4671, Luxembourg.
| | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
| | - Eduardo Martinez-Valdes
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B152TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B152TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Silvia Conforto
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, Roma, Lazio, Italy.
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Lind CM, Abtahi F, Forsman M. Wearable Motion Capture Devices for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Ergonomics-An Overview of Current Applications, Challenges, and Future Opportunities. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23094259. [PMID: 37177463 PMCID: PMC10181376 DOI: 10.3390/s23094259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major contributor to disability worldwide and substantial societal costs. The use of wearable motion capture instruments has a role in preventing WMSDs by contributing to improvements in exposure and risk assessment and potentially improved effectiveness in work technique training. Given the versatile potential for wearables, this article aims to provide an overview of their application related to the prevention of WMSDs of the trunk and upper limbs and discusses challenges for the technology to support prevention measures and future opportunities, including future research needs. The relevant literature was identified from a screening of recent systematic literature reviews and overviews, and more recent studies were identified by a literature search using the Web of Science platform. Wearable technology enables continuous measurements of multiple body segments of superior accuracy and precision compared to observational tools. The technology also enables real-time visualization of exposures, automatic analyses, and real-time feedback to the user. While miniaturization and improved usability and wearability can expand the use also to more occupational settings and increase use among occupational safety and health practitioners, several fundamental challenges remain to be resolved. The future opportunities of increased usage of wearable motion capture devices for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders may require more international collaborations for creating common standards for measurements, analyses, and exposure metrics, which can be related to epidemiologically based risk categories for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Mikael Lind
- IMM Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Farhad Abtahi
- Division of Ergonomics, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Mikael Forsman
- IMM Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Ergonomics, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
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Tang R, Kapellusch JM, Hegmann KT, Thiese MS, Wang I, Merryweather AS. Evaluating Different Measures of Low Back Pain Among U.S. Manual Materials Handling Workers: Comparisons of Demographic, Psychosocial, and Job Physical Exposure. HUMAN FACTORS 2022; 64:973-996. [PMID: 33300376 DOI: 10.1177/0018720820971101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine differences in demographic, psychosocial, and job physical exposure risk factors between multiple low back pain (LBP) outcomes in a prospective cohort of industrial workers. BACKGROUND LBP remains a leading cause of lost industrial productivity. Different case definitions involving pain (general LBP), medication use (M-LBP), seeking healthcare (H-LBP), and lost time (L-LBP) are often used to study LBP outcomes. However, the relationship between these outcomes remains unclear. METHOD Demographic, health status, psychosocial, and job physical exposure risk factors were quantified for 635 incident-eligible industrial workers. Incident cases of LBP outcomes and pain symptoms were quantified and compared across the four outcomes. RESULTS Differences in age, gender, medical history, and LBP history were found between the four outcomes. Most incident-eligible workers (67%) suffered an LBP outcome during follow-up. Cases decreased from 420 for LBP (25.4 cases/100 person-years) to 303 for M-LBP (22.0 cases/100 person-years), to 151 for H-LBP (15.6 cases/100 person-years), and finally to 56 for L-LBP (8.7 cases/100 person-years). Conversely, pain intensity and duration increased from LBP to H-LBP. However, pain duration was relatively lower for L-LBP than for H-LBP. CONCLUSION Patterns of cases, pain intensity, and pain duration suggest the influence of the four outcomes. However, few differences in apparent risk factors were observed between the outcomes. Further research is needed to establish consistent case definitions. APPLICATION Knowledge of patterns between different LBP outcomes can improve interpretation of research and guide future research and intervention studies in industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoliang Tang
- 12530 Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute, Chengdu, China
- 14751 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA
| | | | | | | | - Inga Wang
- 14751 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA
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Varrecchia T, Conforto S, De Nunzio AM, Draicchio F, Falla D, Ranavolo A. Trunk Muscle Coactivation in People with and without Low Back Pain during Fatiguing Frequency-Dependent Lifting Activities. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22041417. [PMID: 35214319 PMCID: PMC8874369 DOI: 10.3390/s22041417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Lifting tasks are manual material-handling activities and are commonly associated with work-related low back disorders. Instrument-based assessment tools are used to quantitatively assess the biomechanical risk associated with lifting activities. This study aims at highlighting different motor strategies in people with and without low back pain (LBP) during fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting tasks by using parameters of muscle coactivation. A total of 15 healthy controls (HC) and eight people with LBP performed three lifting tasks with a progressively increasing lifting index (LI), each lasting 15 min. Bilaterally erector spinae longissimus (ESL) activity and rectus abdominis superior (RAS) were recorded using bipolar surface electromyography systems (sEMG), and the time-varying multi-muscle coactivation function (TMCf) was computed. The TMCf can significantly discriminate each pair of LI and it is higher in LBP than HC. Collectively, our findings suggest that it is possible to identify different motor strategies between people with and without LBP. The main finding shows that LBP, to counteract pain, coactivates the trunk muscles more than HC, thereby adopting a strategy that is stiffer and more fatiguing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, 00078 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (F.D.); (A.R.)
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Conforto
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Marco De Nunzio
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 4671 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
- Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., 4671 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, 00078 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (F.D.); (A.R.)
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, 00078 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (F.D.); (A.R.)
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Varrecchia T, Ranavolo A, Conforto S, De Nunzio AM, Arvanitidis M, Draicchio F, Falla D. Bipolar versus high-density surface electromyography for evaluating risk in fatiguing frequency-dependent lifting activities. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2021; 95:103456. [PMID: 33984582 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Workers often develop low back pain due to manually lifting heavy loads. Instrumental-based assessment tools are used to quantitatively assess the biomechanical risk in lifting activities. This study aims to verify the hypothesis that high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) allows an optimized discrimination of risk levels associated with different fatiguing lifting conditions compared to traditional bipolar sEMG. 15 participants performed three lifting tasks with a progressively increasing lifting index (LI) each lasting 15 min. Erector spinae (ES) activity was recorded using both bipolar and HDsEMG systems. The amplitude of both bipolar and HDsEMG can significantly discriminate each pair of LI. HDsEMG data could discriminate across the different LIs starting from the fourth minute of the task while bipolar sEMG could only do so towards the end. The higher discriminative power of HDsEMG data across the lifting tasks makes such methodology a valuable tool to be used to monitor fatigue while lifting and could extend the possibilities offered by currently available instrumental-based tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiwana Varrecchia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy; Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, Roma, Lazio, Italy.
| | - Alberto Ranavolo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Conforto
- Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, Roma, Lazio, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Marco De Nunzio
- LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, Differdange, 4671, Luxembourg; Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, Differdange, 4671, Luxembourg.
| | - Michail Arvanitidis
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B152TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Francesco Draicchio
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy.
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B152TT, United Kingdom.
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Briquez PS, Tsai HM, Watkins EA, Hubbell JA. Engineered bridge protein with dual affinity for bone morphogenetic protein-2 and collagen enhances bone regeneration for spinal fusion. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/24/eabh4302. [PMID: 34117071 PMCID: PMC8195475 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh4302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The revolutionizing efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) for clinical spinal fusion is hindered by safety issues associated with the high dose required. However, it continues to be widely used, for example, in InFUSE Bone Graft (Medtronic). Here, we developed a translational protein engineering-based approach to reduce the dose and thereby improve the safety of rhBMP-2 delivered in a collagen sponge, as in InFUSE Bone Graft. We engineered a bridge protein with high affinity for rhBMP-2 and collagen that can be simply added to the product's formulation, demonstrating improved efficacy at low dose of rhBMP-2 in two mouse models of bone regeneration, including a newly developed spinal fusion model. Moreover, the bridge protein can control the retention of rhBMP-2 from endogenous collagenous extracellular matrix of tissue. Our approach may be generalizable to other growth factors and collagen-based materials, for use in many other applications in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla S Briquez
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Hsiu-Ming Tsai
- Integrated Small Animal Imaging Research Resources (iSAIRR), Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Elyse A Watkins
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Hubbell
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Cancer Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Fox RR, Lu ML, Occhipinti E, Jaeger M. Understanding outcome metrics of the revised NIOSH lifting equation. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2019; 81:102897. [PMID: 31422239 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The interpretation of the calculated result of the revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (RNLE) has been problematic because the relationship of the calculated result to back injury risk has not always been either well understood nor consistently interpreted. During the revision of the ISO standard 11228-1 (Manual lifting, lowering and carrying), an extensive literature review was conducted on validation studies of the RNLE. A systematic review of exposure-risk associations between the LI metrics and various low-back health outcomes from peer-reviewed epidemiological studies was conducted. Risk interpretations for different levels of calculated result of the RNLE are added to the ISO standard. Rationale for the risk interpretations is presented in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ming-Lun Lu
- NIOSH Taft Laboratories, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Matthias Jaeger
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at Dortmund University of Technology, Germany
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Cheng M, Thiese MS, Wood EM, Kapellusch J, Foster J, Drury D, Merryweather A, Hegmann KT. Relationship Between Opioid Use and Pain Severity Ratings in Workers With Low Back Pain. J Occup Environ Med 2019; 61:836-840. [DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Health-care utilisation for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based observational studies. Rheumatol Int 2019; 39:1663-1679. [DOI: 10.1007/s00296-019-04430-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Ferguson SA, Merryweather A, Thiese MS, Hegmann KT, Lu ML, Kapellusch JM, Marras WS. Prevalence of low back pain, seeking medical care, and lost time due to low back pain among manual material handling workers in the United States. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019; 20:243. [PMID: 31118009 PMCID: PMC6530127 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-2594-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly problem throughout the United States. To achieve a greater understanding of the occupational risk factors, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) funded a low back health effects consortium, which performed several surveillance studies throughout the United States. This study combines data from the consortium research groups resulting in a data set with nearly 2000 workers in various regions of the country. The purpose of this paper is to examine prevalence and personal risk factors of low back health effects among these workers. Methods There were three common questions regarding history of low back health effects in the past 12 months including 1) have you had LBP lasting 7 days, 2) have you sought medical care for LBP, and 3) have you taken time off work due to LBP. The questionnaire included demographic questions. There were five data collections institutions or sites including NIOSH, Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Texas A&M University, and University of Utah. Results The 12-month period prevalence of low back pain lasting 7 days, seeking medical care, and lost time due to LBP were 25, 14 and 10%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age or weight between cases and non-cases for any prevalence measure. The height of workers was significantly greater in the cases compared to non-cases for all three prevalence definitions. There were significant differences among the sites on the prevalence of seeking medical care for LBP and lost time due to LBP. The Ohio State University had significantly higher prevalence rates for seeking medical care and lost time due to LBP than University of Wisconsin, University of Utah, or Texas A&M University. Conclusion LBP, the least severe low back health effect studied, had the highest prevalence (25%) and lost time due to LBP, the most severe low back health effect studied, had the lowest prevalence (10%) among nearly 2000 US manual material handling workers. There was a significant site or regional influence in prevalence rates for seeking medical care and lost time due to LBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue A Ferguson
- Spine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Andrew Merryweather
- Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 391 Chipeta Way, Suite C, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Matthew S Thiese
- Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 391 Chipeta Way, Suite C, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Kurt T Hegmann
- Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 391 Chipeta Way, Suite C, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Ming-Lun Lu
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Taft Laboratories, 1090 Tusculum Ave. MS C-24, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | - Jay M Kapellusch
- Occupational Science & Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA
| | - William S Marras
- Spine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Garg A, Moore JS, Kapellusch JM. The Composite Strain Index (COSI) and Cumulative Strain Index (CUSI): methodologies for quantifying biomechanical stressors for complex tasks and job rotation using the Revised Strain Index. ERGONOMICS 2017; 60:1033-1041. [PMID: 27734756 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2016.1246675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The Composite Strain Index (COSI) quantifies biomechanical stressors for complex tasks consisting of exertions at different force levels and/or with different exertion times. The Cumulative Strain Index (CUSI) further integrates biomechanical stressors from different tasks to quantify exposure for the entire work shift. The paper provides methodologies to compute COSI and CUSI along with examples. Complex task simulation produced 169,214 distinct tasks. Use of average, time-weighted average (TWA) and peak force and COSI classified 66.9, 28.2, 100 and 38.9% of tasks as hazardous, respectively. For job rotation the simulation produced 10,920 distinct jobs. TWA COSI, peak task COSI and CUSI classified 36.5, 78.1 and 66.6% jobs as hazardous, respectively. The results suggest that the TWA approach systematically underestimates the biomechanical stressors and peak approach overestimates biomechanical stressors, both at the task and job level. It is believed that the COSI and CUSI partially address these underestimations and overestimations of biomechanical stressors. Practitioner Summary: COSI quantifies exposure when applied hand force and/or duration of that force changes during a task cycle. CUSI integrates physical exposures from job rotation. These should be valuable tools for designing and analysing tasks and job rotation to determine risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Garg
- a Department of Occupational Science & Technology , University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee , Milwaukee , WI , USA
| | - J Steven Moore
- b School of Rural Public Health , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA
| | - Jay M Kapellusch
- a Department of Occupational Science & Technology , University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee , Milwaukee , WI , USA
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Lu ML, Putz-Anderson V, Garg A, Davis KG. Evaluation of the Impact of the Revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Lifting Equation. HUMAN FACTORS 2016; 58:667-682. [PMID: 26822795 PMCID: PMC4991821 DOI: 10.1177/0018720815623894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this article is to evaluate the impact of the Revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Lifting Equation (RNLE). BACKGROUND The RNLE has been used extensively as a risk assessment method for prevention of low back pain (LBP). However, the impact of the RNLE has not been documented. METHODS A systematic review of the literature on the RNLE was conducted. The review consisted of three parts: characterization of the RNLE publications, assessment of the impact of the RNLE, and evaluation of the influences of the RNLE on ergonomic standards. The literature for assessing the impact was categorized into four research areas: methodology, laboratory, field, and risk assessment studies using the Lifting Index (LI) or Composite LI (CLI), both of which are the products of the RNLE. RESULTS The impact of the RNLE has been both widespread and influential. We found 24 studies that examined the criteria used to define lifting capacity used by the RNLE, 28 studies that compared risk assessment methods for identifying LBP, 23 studies that found the RNLE useful in identifying the risk of LBP with different work populations, and 13 studies on the relationship between LI/CLI and LBP outcomes. We also found evidence on the adoption of the RNLE as an ergonomic standard for use by various local, state, and international entities. CONCLUSION The review found 13 studies that link LI/CLI to adverse LBP outcomes. These studies showed a positive relationship between LI/CLI metrics and the severity of LBP outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Lun Lu
- Taft Laboratories, Cincinnati, OhioUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeUniversity of Cincinnati, Ohio
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Abstract
Low-back pain is one of the most common painful conditions experienced by humans throughout their life. Some occupational risk factors (namely, heavy manual material handling) may also contribute to the development of low-back pain: due to the high prevalence of both low-back pain and manual material handling in the adult working population, it has been estimated that low-back pain is probably the most common occupational disorder worldwide. Lifetime prevalence of low-back pain has been reported to be as high as 84%, depending on the case definition used, and no age group is spared, even children. Although low-back pain is not a lethal condition, it was estimated at the third rank among all diseases by disability-adjusted life-years in 2010 in the USA, after ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and at the first rank by years lived with disability. It also ranked high (13th) globally for the same year, in disability-adjusted life-years. Low-back pain is currently classified as nonspecific/specific as to putative cause and as acute (lasting less than 6 weeks), subacute (6-12 weeks), or chronic (more than 12 weeks) according to duration of symptoms. The distinction between nonspecific/specific and acute/subacute/chronic low-back pain is useful not only for epidemiologic studies, but also (mainly) for choosing the appropriate strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. Workplace risk factors for low-back pain include manual lifting and whole-body vibration exposure. This chapter will provide an overview of modern concepts of low-back pain (in general) and will then outline some distinctive features of work-related low-back pain.
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