Characteristics of musculoskeletal disorders and satisfaction with in-house physical therapy clinics in office workers

Predictors of musculoskeletal disorders and job satisfaction among office workers of an oil company: A cross-sectional study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal disorders are among the significant causes of disabilities and occupational injuries all over the world and can reduce the quality of life and job satisfaction. These disorders prevail among the office workers of the Iranian Oil Company, though research on the involved factors is limited.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the incidence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders and their association with job satisfaction among the office workers of the Iranian Oil Company.

METHODS

The present research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study on 210 male office workers of the Iranian Oil Company. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the rate of job satisfaction were measured by Nordic Musculoskeletal and Minnesota job Satisfaction Questionnaires, respectively. The relationship between the variables was analyzed by the SPSS 28 software.

RESULTS

The most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders among office workers in the past 12 months were associated with the neck, waist, and knee organs, with 45.70, 41, and 38.10 percentages. Smoking, second jobs, and physical injury histories were identified as three risk factors connected to musculoskeletal disorders (p < 0.05). Forty-one percent of the participants were moderately satisfied with their jobs, and this number was significantly related to musculoskeletal disorders in the shoulders, elbows, back, waist, and knees (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that second jobs, smoking, and physical injury histories are three risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among office workers of the Iranian Oil Company. Thus, it is imperative to identify at-risk office workers and train and encourage them to take preventive actions and employ ergonomic job equipment.

Neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal problems in cosmetologists caused by work-related ergonomic risk factors in Denizli, Turkey

BACKGROUND

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the neck and upper limbs are a common health problem among cosmetologists. Hairdressing requires bending, twisting, static postures, prolonged standing, repetitive motions, and vigorous movements of the hands and fingers. In order to determine the proper ergonomic measures, identifying the factors and hairdressing jobs that increase the risk of work-related neck and upper limb disorders is needed.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSDs in the neck and upper extremities of cosmetologists and to investigate the association with ergonomic risk factors and hairdressing work.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted on cosmetologists in Denizli, Turkey province (n = 504). Data collected through a survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, work organization, equipment, and hairdressing work, items on work posture, the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Work posture in hairdressing was assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA).

RESULTS

The prevalence of MSDs of the neck and upper limbs in the previous twelve months ranged from 7.7-55.8%. There was high, or very high, risk in 56.1% of work postures, and the median RULA score was 5.0 (4.0-6.0). The significant predictors of pain were work experience, gender, marital status, risk perception, awkward posture, psychological demand, and hair coloring.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to take control measures in hairdressing salons promptly to adopt more suitable working posture and to design workplaces ergonomically.

Effect of an on-site physical therapy on pain, posture, function and composition, and work-related health status in workers in Korea

BACKGROUND: The incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disease is increasing despite automated manufacturing processes. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a customized on-site exercise program on pain, posture, body function, body composition, and work-related health status of workers at an auto-parts factory. METHODS: Fifty-six participants were randomly divided into one of two groups: experimental (EG), which received a customized exercise program that included manual and exercise therapy from physiotherapy at the workplace; and control (CG), which received customized exercise sheets for a self-directed program at home. The program was performed 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Assessments were performed according to numerical rating scale (NRS), Exbody, Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), InBody, Short-Form-12 version 2 (SF-12v2), and Work Ability Index (WAI), which were evaluated before and after the program. RESULTS: The EG exhibited significant within-group changes in NRS, Exbody, SFMA, SF-12v2, and WAI; the CG exhibited significant within-group changes only in NRS and SFMA (p < 0.05). There were significant between-group differences in NRS, Exbody, SFMA, and WAI (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An on-site program including manual and exercise therapy directed by a physiotherapist among workers at an auto-parts manufacturer was effective in improving pain levels, posture, body function, and work-related health status.

Correlation between non-specific chronic low back pain and physical factors of lumbar and hip joint in office workers

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between pain intensity, degree of disability, and various physical variables of the lumbar and hip joints in office workers with non-specific chronic low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

A cross-sectional correlational study/in-house physical therapy clinic.

SUBJECTS

Sixty-one office workers diagnosed with non-specific chronic low back pain.

METHODS

Pain intensity and Oswestry disability index were surveyed, and lumbar flexor and extensor strength ratio, lumbar flexor and extensor endurance, the maximum value and left/right asymmetry of eccentric muscle activity of the lumbar extensor, the maximum value and left/right asymmetry of concentric muscle activity of the lumbar extensor, the ROM of lumbar flexion and extension, left/right asymmetry of hip joint extensor strength, the internal rotation and external rotation of the hip joint, and the ROM and left/right asymmetry of flexion and extension were measured.

RESULTS

The ratio of the muscle strength of lumbar flexor and extensor was in a weak correlation with disability index. In addition, hip joint ROM and left/right asymmetry of hip joint ROM correlate with pain intensity and disability index.

CONCLUSION

To improve office workers' pain intensity and disability due to this non-specific chronic low back pain, it may be important to improve the ratio of the lumbar extensor and flexor strength and the left/right asymmetry of the hip joint ROM as well as the ROM of the hip joint should be considered.