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Berihun G, Gasheya KA, Abebaw T, Abebe M, Gizeyiatu A, Berhanu L, Dagne M, Desye B, Walle Z, Zewdu L, Wondim MG. Self-reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms and associated factors among water carrying women in Legambo district, Northeastern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study design. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1409535. [PMID: 38993700 PMCID: PMC11236744 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1409535] [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: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of illness, disability, and poor quality of life. Lack of access to potable water in the backyard forces women to take water from off-plot sources every day, which may expose them to various health risks. However, there has been little investigation on the musculoskeletal disorders' health effects on water-carrying women. Objective This study aimed to assess musculoskeletal disorders symptoms and associated factors among water-carrying women in the Legambo district, Northeastern Ethiopia. Materials and methods A community-based cross-sectional study was done with 618 water-carrying women chosen using simple random and systematic random sampling techniques. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews with the standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Data entry were carried out using Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. A binary logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with self-reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms at a 95% confidence interval (CI). In the multivariate model, variables with a p-value ≤0.05 and a 95% CI were declared as factors of self-reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. The model's fitness was assessed using Hosmer and Lemeshow, and it was found to be fit. Results The prevalence of self-reported MSD symptoms was 72.5% during the previous 12 months. MSD symptoms were significantly elevated among women who carried water from a distance of 501-1,000 m [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.39, 95% CI = 3.64-9.69] and >1,000 m (5.93, 2.84-12.40), carried a water load of >15 kg during pregnancy (8.29, 2.97-23.09), and carried a water load of >15 kg when not pregnant (1.59, 1.44-2.68). Conclusion Three-fourths of the participants had self-reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in the past 12 months. Distance of water sources from their house, carrying the same amount of water during pregnancy, and weight of the water load carrying were factors associated with the self-reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. Hence, health professionals should raise awareness of the association between carrying high water loads and the development of MSDs, especially during pregnancy. Improvement in water supply infrastructure and enhancing behavioral intervention should be done. Furthermore, Future researchers should assess MSDs using objective measurements and cohort studies should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gete Berihun
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Kassahun Ayele Gasheya
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Tadiwos Abebaw
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Masresha Abebe
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Adinew Gizeyiatu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Leykun Berhanu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mengesha Dagne
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Belay Desye
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Zebader Walle
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Leul Zewdu
- Department of Special Needs and Inclusiveness, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Mebrat Gedfie Wondim
- Department of Special Needs and Inclusiveness, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
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Kook M, Kim I, Seo J, Kim H, Nam H, Han N. The Relationship Between Low Back Pain and Sagittal Spinal Alignment and Back Muscle Mass in Korean Fishery Workers. Ann Rehabil Med 2023; 47:459-467. [PMID: 37990502 PMCID: PMC10767211 DOI: 10.5535/arm.23075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between low back pain (LBP) and sagittal spino-pelvic parameters along with the relationship between LBP and back muscle mass in Korean male and female fishery workers. METHODS This retrospective study included a total of 146 subjects who underwent Fishermen's health survey conducted between June 2018 and August 2020. LBP was evaluated through visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Sagittal spino-pelvic parameters were measured from whole spine standing X-rays. Back muscle cross-sectional areas were identified through lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and body composition was analyzed through bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS The study included 75 males and 71 females, with an average age of 58.33 years for males and 56.45 years for females. Female subjects exhibited higher VAS and ODI scores, larger pelvic tilt (PT) and trunk fat mass and smaller trunk muscle mass compared to males. In female, ODI positively correlated with sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and PT. No significant correlations were found between ODI scores and body composition in either sex. The high ODI group showed greater SVA, PT, and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis and higher trunk fat/muscle ratio. Psoas muscle mass, total and skeletal muscle mass and trunk muscle mass of that group were smaller than those of low ODI group. CONCLUSION Spino-pelvic parameters and back muscle mass were associated with ODI and there were differences between Korean male and female fishery workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjung Kook
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Insuh Kim
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Jeongyeon Seo
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Hyundong Kim
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Center for Fishermen’s Safety and Health, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Heesung Nam
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Nami Han
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Center for Fishermen’s Safety and Health, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea
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Cano-Gutiérrez JC, Olguín-Tiznado JE, Camargo-Wilson C, López Barreras JA, García-Rivera BR, García-Alcaráz JL. Psychosocial risk factors identification in Mexican workers and RGIII validation. Work 2023; 76:189-203. [PMID: 36847055 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220316] [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] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2018, NOM-035-STPS-2018 has been applied in Mexico, focused on measuring psychosocial risk factors (PRFs) in workers and the Reference Guide III (RGIII) has been presented, however, research focused on its validation has been scarce, in very specific sectors and with small samples. OBJECTIVE Determine the levels of PRFs of five work centers and reliability and validity aspects of RGIII. METHOD The RGIII was applied to 1458 workers (806 women and 652 men) from five workplace in the industrial sector of Ensenada (Mexico), and the level of risk of the PRFs was analyzed, as well as their reliability and validity through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). RESULTS The PRFs with medium, high and very high-risk levels are Workload, Lack of control over work and Workday. The RGIII presents adequate reliability with Cronbach's α, Alpha ordinal RHO and Omega of 0.93, 0.95 and 0.95, respectively. The EFA shows all five subscales maintain factor loadings greater than 0.43, although Leadership and relationships at work has better saturation values, and Work environment ended with only three items. The CFA indicates Leadership and work relationships with a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) goodness of fit index of 0.072. CONCLUSION The RGIII allows the identification and evaluation of the level of risk of PRFs. It complies with sufficient internal consistency. It does not have a clear factorial structure, because it does not meet the minimum values of goodness-of-fit indexes that would allow confirming the structure proposed in RGIII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Cano-Gutiérrez
- Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Design, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Claudia Camargo-Wilson
- Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Design, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Blanca Rosa García-Rivera
- Faculty of Administrative and Social Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Jorge Luis García-Alcaráz
- Departament of Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
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Dunleavy K, Bishop M, Coffman A, Reidy J, Kane A. Chronic lower back pain in aquaculture clam farmers: adoption and feasibility of self-management strategies introduced using a rapid prototype participatory ergonomic approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2022; 28:1829-1839. [PMID: 34121632 PMCID: PMC8738770 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1935543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. Lower back pain (LBP) is extremely prevalent in seafood harvesters who often have limited or no access to ergonomic consultation, occupational health support and rehabilitation services. This pilot study aimed to describe a participatory ergonomic approach and determine the feasibility and extent of adoption of self-management strategies in clam farmers with LBP. Methods. A rapid prototype participatory ergonomic approach was used to develop context-specific self-management strategies. Options to adjust lifting and repetitive stress were introduced using video clips, demonstrations and discussions in the workplace. Workers chose and implemented three strategies for 8 weeks with weekly reminders. Survey and qualitative data from focus groups were analyzed. Results. Team strategies were the most popular, but individual options were used more often. Strategies were considered feasible, acceptable and relatively easy to use. Strategies were implemented relatively consistently, and most improved productivity with decreased pain. Challenges for uptake included changing habit, culture and team dynamics. Conclusions. Participatory rapid prototyping provided a feasible and efficient option to introduce strategies for clam farmers with small teams, variable work processes and workloads, and time restrictions. Strategies were considered acceptable and easy to use, and most increased productivity. These methods show potential for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Dunleavy
- Department of Physical Therapy University of Florida, USA
- Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, USA
| | - Mark Bishop
- Department of Physical Therapy University of Florida, USA
| | | | - Jacob Reidy
- Department of Physical Therapy University of Florida, USA
- Kinetix Physical Therapy, USA
| | - Andrew Kane
- Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, USA
- Department of Global and Environmental Health University of Florida, USA
- Florida Sea Grant Program, University of Florida, USA
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Shrestha S, Shrestha B, Bygvraa DA, Jensen OC. Risk Assessment in Artisanal Fisheries in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review. Am J Prev Med 2022; 62:e255-e264. [PMID: 34922785 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Artisanal fisheries generally do not have injury prevention plans and safety or quality management systems on board, thus making them prone to more fatal and nonfatal injuries. The objective of the study is to systematically review and synthesize the literature to identify the risks of injuries (fatal and nonfatal) and health problems in artisanal fisheries in developing countries. METHODS A systematic literature search was carried out from December 2019 to March 2020. Articles were included with at least 1 outcome of interest (fatal injuries, nonfatal injuries, health problems, causal factors). In all, 18 articles on occupational safety and health aspects in artisanal fisheries from developing countries were kept for final analysis. RESULTS Of the 4 studies on fatal injuries, only 1 reported fatal incidence rates (14 per 1,000 person-years). Vessel disasters were the most common cause of fatal injuries, with 14.3%-81% drownings. The prevalence of nonfatal injuries was between 55% and 61%. The most common causes were falls on the deck or into the sea/river, blows from objects/tools, punctures and cuts by fishhooks/fish rays and fishing equipment, and animal attacks or bites. Health problems included eye, ear, cardiovascular (hypertension), respiratory (decompression sickness), dermatological, and musculoskeletal problems. DISCUSSION There is a serious gap of health and safety information in artisanal fishery, which is more extensive in developing countries. Epidemiological studies are needed with comparable incidence and prevalence rates. For adequate prevention and compliance with the UN sustainable goals, there is an urgent need to establish a health information system in the countries to register the relevant demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharad Shrestha
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Bipna Shrestha
- Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
| | - Despena Andrioti Bygvraa
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olaf C Jensen
- Center for Maritime Health and Society, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark.
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Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Self-Reported Pain in Artisanal Fishermen from a Traditional Community in Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19020908. [PMID: 35055729 PMCID: PMC8775945 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can be characterized from their occupational etiology and their occurrence; their chronicity generates negative repercussions for the health of workers, especially of artisanal fishing. To investigate the prevalence of generalized musculoskeletal disorders by body region and self-reported pain in a fishing population of northeastern Brazil, an epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out in Santiago do Iguape, Bahia-Brazil, in 2017. The Brazilian version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), in addition to a questionnaire containing the socio-demographic and labor conditions were applied to a random stratified sample of 248 artisanal fisheries. There were 170 female shellfish gatherers and 78 fishermen, with a mean age of 36.7 years (SD = 10.5 years) and 43.3 years (SD = 11.8 years), respectively. The beginning of the labor activity was initiated at approximately 11 years of age. The average weekly income varied from 17.64 USD to 29.10 USD. The prevalence of MSD independent of occupation occurred in at least one body region in 93.5% and the presence of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort over the last seven days in 95.2% of the fishing workers. The highest prevalence of MSD was found in shellfish gatherers in: lower back (86.4%), wrist and hand (73.5%), and upper back (66.8%). In relation to the presence of pain in the last year, the frequency of pain was greater in the fishermen compared to the shellfish gatherers. The generalized severity of the MSD in 93.5% of this community of fishermen is evident, with emphasis in the following regions: lower back, wrist and hand and upper back in both groups, with occurrence of pain in more than one body region at the same time.
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Dunleavy K, Kane A, Coffman A, Reidy J, Bishop MD. Outcomes of Participatory Ergonomics and Self-management in Commercial Clam Farmers with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study. J Agromedicine 2021; 27:217-231. [PMID: 34772318 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2021.2004961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Participatory ergonomics engages workers in the development of strategies to reduce workplace-related pain, offering a flexible and practical option to create individualized context-specific strategies. This paper describes the outcomes of a feasibility study using a participatory approach for self-management of low back pain in clam farmers. METHODS A within-subject time-control design with repeated baseline and post-intervention assessment was used. After refining individual and team-based strategies, stakeholder interviews, and rapid prototyping, workers selected three strategies to use for 8 weeks. Frequency and ease of use for strategies are described. Pre-post paired t-tests were used for analysis of pain-related disability, difficulty and pain with work tasks, pain-related fear, self-efficacy, and coping. Analysis of improvements exceeding published and individual variability was calculated. RESULTS Participants chose both team and individual strategies, most using strategies 5 days a week >50% of the time. Significant improvements in pain-related disability, pain during specific tasks, pain-related anxiety, and coping were seen after 8 weeks of implementing strategies. No changes in task difficulty, fear, self-efficacy and average resting pain were reported. Pain improvements > MDC95 were reported by 74% with 56-64% > personalized MDC95 for lifting tasks. CONCLUSIONS Pain-related disability, work activity pain ratings and related pain anxiety and coping improved beyond individual variability in this feasibility study. Multiple strategies allowed workers to choose relevant self-management options. Introduction of work-related changes in the workplace, visual demonstration, review of team videos and reminders were helpful. Further studies of this approach are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Dunleavy
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.,Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Andrew Kane
- Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Global and Environmental Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.,Florida Sea Grant Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Ashleigh Coffman
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Jacob Reidy
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.,Kinetix Physical Therapy, USA
| | - Mark D Bishop
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
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Garrido MA, Parra M, Díaz J, Medel J, Nowak D, Radon K. Occupational Safety and Health in a Community of Shellfish Divers: A Community-Based Participatory Approach. J Community Health 2021; 45:569-578. [PMID: 31728798 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00777-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In artisanal fishing communities in Chile, the access to occupational safety and health (OSH) is limited by factors such as the informality of employment. Our objective was to analyze the working and health conditions of workers in a coastal town in Southern Chile, under a community-based participatory approach. We carried out two independent social dialogue workshops within the community. The first one (N of participants = 25) was aimed to identify the strengths, weaknesses and challenges for preventing decompression sickness among divers. The second workshop (N of participants = 10) was set to identify the work processes and to map the occupational risks during seafood harvesting and processing in the community. Community members' training for handling and preventing decompression sickness among divers, and the collaboration between a local health representative, stakeholders and authorities, were identified as contributing factors in reducing fatalities and sequels among divers in the past. Technology and safety on board the vessels, training of healthcare personnel in OSH, and access to health programs, were identified as remaining challenges. Through risk mapping, the participants identified the relationship between working and health conditions in the community, reinforcing the necessity of improving access to health and social security. The community participation in identifying and analyzing working and health conditions could be the first step for a strategy to address OSH through primary health care in rural communities. Community empowerment and involvement in action plans, training on basic OSH for health care workers, and public policies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A Garrido
- CIHLMU Center for International Health, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Comunidad de Práctica sobre el Enfoque Ecosistémico en Salud Humana, COPEH-LAC, Southern Cone node, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
| | - Manuel Parra
- CIHLMU Center for International Health, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Comunidad de Práctica sobre el Enfoque Ecosistémico en Salud Humana, COPEH-LAC, Southern Cone node, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Juana Díaz
- Terminal Pesquero de Carelmapu, Maullín, Chile
| | - Julia Medel
- Comunidad de Práctica sobre el Enfoque Ecosistémico en Salud Humana, COPEH-LAC, Southern Cone node, Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Centro de Estudios de la Mujer, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Radon
- CIHLMU Center for International Health, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & NetTeaching Unit, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Khalaf TM, Ramadan MZ, Ragab AE, Alhaag MH, AlSharabi KA. Psychophysiological responses to manual lifting of unknown loads. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247442. [PMID: 33635903 PMCID: PMC7909684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The handling of unknown weights, which is common in daily routines either at work or during leisure time, is suspected to be highly associated with the incidence of low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of knowledge and magnitude of a load (to be lifted) on brain responses, autonomic nervous activity, and trapezius and erector spinae muscle activity. METHODS A randomized, within-subjects experiment involving manual lifting was conducted, wherein 10 participants lifted three different weights (1.1, 5, and 15 kg) under two conditions: either having or not having prior knowledge of the weight to be lifted. RESULTS The results revealed that the lifting of unknown weights caused increased average heart rate and percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) but decreased average inter-beat interval, very-low-frequency power, low-frequency power, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio. Regardless of the weight magnitude, lifting of unknown weights was associated with smaller theta activities in the power spectrum density (PSD) of the central region, smaller alpha activities in the PSD of the frontal region, and smaller beta activities in the PSDs of both the frontal and central regions. Moreover, smaller alpha and beta activities in the PSD of the parietal region were associated only with lifting of unknown lightweights. CONCLUSIONS Uncertainty regarding the weight to be lifted could be considered as a stress-adding variable that may increase the required physical demand to be sustained during manual lifting tasks. The findings of this study stress the importance of eliminating uncertainty associated with handling unknown weights, such as in the cases of handling patients and dispatching luggage. This can be achieved through preliminary self-sensing of the load to be lifted, or the cautious disclosure of the actual weight of manually lifted objects, for example, through clear labeling and/or a coding system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer M. Khalaf
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z. Ramadan
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adham E. Ragab
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed H. Alhaag
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalil A. AlSharabi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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