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Zhang X, Tse T, Chen SZ, Qiu KY, Li X, Zoghi M. The presence of cognitive impairments in the acute phase of traumatic upper limb injuries: A cross-sectional observational study. Neuroscience 2024; 559:181-187. [PMID: 39245313 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.09.003] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive impairments and traumatic upper limb injuries of the acute phase. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with three groups: a nerve-injury group, a without nerve injury group, and a control group (uninjured participants). Demographic characteristics (e.g. age, sex, body mass index, and education) and traumatic characteristics (duration since injury, injury side, pain, light touch sensation, hand motor function) were recorded. Short-term memory and executive functions were assessed using Rey Auditory and Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT, including SIECT and SIECN), respectively. RESULTS The study comprised 43 participants in the nerve-injury group, 30 participants in the group without nerve injury, and 104 participants in the control group. Generalized linear model was applied to explore the difference of cognitive functions among three groups with impactors. Significantly poorer performance on the RAVLT was observed in the nerve-injury group compared to the other two groups, and lower score of SIECT in nerve-injury group was lower compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference of SIECN among three groups. In addition, traumatic characteristics did not significantly impact RAVLT and SIECT (p > 0.05) in all injured participants. CONCLUSION Traumatic nerve injury to the upper limb appears to be associated with both short-term memory and executive function impairment, whereas musculoskeletal injuries without nerve damage showed no cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to monitor cognitive function following upper limb nerve injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Tamara Tse
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shao-Zhen Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guanghou, China
| | - Kai-Yi Qiu
- Department of Hand and Foot Rehabilitation, Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guanghou, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maryam Zoghi
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Australia
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Yamamoto K, Motomiya M, Ono K, Matsui Y, Yasui K, Iwasaki N. Initial patient demographics affecting return to original work after traumatic hand injury in a rural area in Japan: A retrospective single-center study. J Orthop Sci 2024; 29:1280-1286. [PMID: 37839976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jos.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Time off work after traumatic hand injury not only affects individuals but also has socioeconomic repercussions, becoming a serious problem from the viewpoint of labor shortages. In depopulated rural areas, the impact of labor shortages due to time off work is more serious than in urban areas; however, few studies have examined return to original work in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the patient demographics at the time of hand injury that affect return to original work in a rural area of Japan. METHODS We retrospectively examined 246 patients with traumatic hand and/or forearm injuries who were working at the time of injury, and who underwent surgical operations and postoperative rehabilitation in a level II hospital in a rural agricultural area. We examined patients' initial demographic data, including gender, age, occupation (white or blue collar), employment status (self-employed, full-time, or part-time workers), complications other than hand injury, workers' compensation, dominant hand injury, and injury severity as determined using the modified Hand Injury Severity Score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis examined the association between initial patient demographics and return to original work within 150 days after injury. RESULTS In total, 186 patients (76 %) were able to return to original work within 150 days. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that three explanatory variables (i.e., severity of injury, complications other than hand injury, and female gender) significantly compromised return to original work. CONCLUSIONS In the treatment of traumatic hand injury, intensive support should be provided for return to original work for patients who are expected to have difficulty returning to work quickly. In addition, labor shortages can be mitigated by sharing information with the workplace about patients' prospects of return to original work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Technology Occupational Therapy, Obihiro Kosei Hospital, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Makoto Motomiya
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Obihiro Kosei Hospital Hand Center, Obihiro, Japan.
| | - Kota Ono
- Ono Biostat Consulting (Kota Ono is also an employee of AbbVie GK.), Japan
| | - Yuichiro Matsui
- Section for Clinical Education, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Keigo Yasui
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Obihiro Kosei Hospital, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Norimasa Iwasaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Khoshakhlagh AH, Al Sulaie S, Mirzahosseininejad M, Yazdanirad S, Orr RM, Laal F, Bamel U. Occupational stress and musculoskeletal disorders in firefighters: the mediating effect of depression and job burnout. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4649. [PMID: 38409336 PMCID: PMC10897186 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55468-w] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The firefighting profession carries a heightened risk of musculoskeletal disorders. A firefighter's job is physically demanding and includes activities such as running, climbing, dragging, and lifting. Often, these tasks are unpredictable, performed in harsh environments, and have been found to cause psychological stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational stress on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) in firefighters. In addition, the mediating effects of depression and job burnout on proposed relationships were examined. Data informing this study were collected using a survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Inventory (PCL), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling approach in AMOS. The results of the 2339 responding firefighters suggest that work related stress is positively related to WRMSDs in firefighters and can lead to musculoskeletal symptoms through four paths, being emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, CES-D total score, and depersonalization. Through depersonalization, job stress had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.053). Furthermore, the results showed that post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) can affect musculoskeletal symptoms through ten paths, again through depersonalization, PTSD had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.141). The results of this study suggest that organizations should design interventions and policies to prevent and manage occupational stress, depression, and job burnout to negate its undesired consequences on firefighters' health (i.e. WRMSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Saleh Al Sulaie
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Computers in Al-Qunfudah, Umm Al-Qura University, 21955, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marziyeh Mirzahosseininejad
- Fire Safety Section of Department of Health, Safety and Environment of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, National Iranian Copper Industries Co, Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeid Yazdanirad
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Robin Marc Orr
- Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Fereydoon Laal
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
| | - Umesh Bamel
- OB & HRM Group, International Management Institute New Delhi, New Delhi, India
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Ouattara BS, Beseler CL, Rautiainen RH. Agricultural Injuries: Risk Factors and Severity by Affected Body Part among US (Midwest) Farmers. J Agromedicine 2023; 28:214-223. [PMID: 35703065 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2022.2089421] [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: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Statistics from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that agriculture consistently ranks as the most hazardous industry in the US. To identify specific targets for prevention, we investigated injury risk factor profiles separately for each injured body site. We also characterized the severity of agricultural injuries by injured body site using the type of medical care and lost work time due to injury. METHODS We used the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) surveillance data for 2018 to perform descriptive statistics and regression modeling. RESULTS We found that 12% (513/4351) of the participants experienced one or more injuries in the previous 12 months. Compared to female operators, male operators had 3.53 (95% CI: 1.17-10.68) times higher odds of back injury. Operators in livestock production had 2.77 times (95% CI:1.12-6.82), 2.28 times (95% CI:1.25-4.14), and 1.69 times (95% CI:1.10-2.59) higher odds of injury to the chest/trunk, finger, and leg/knee/hip, respectively, compared to operators in crop or mixed production. After adjusting for age and gender, operators who worked full time (vs. part-time) on the farm/ranch had 2.11 times (95% CI:1.03-4.34) higher odds of back injury. Arm/shoulder and leg/knee/hip injuries were more frequent in older age groups. CONCLUSIONS Prevention measures should be tailored considering specifically livestock producers with emphasis on trainings on proper livestock handling, such as being gentle, establishing routine, keeping distance, and avoiding sudden and loud noise when handling animals. Applying these techniques avoid startling the animals and reduce the risk of injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balkissa S Ouattara
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Cheryl L Beseler
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Risto H Rautiainen
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Baldassarre A, Lulli LG, Cavallo F, Fiorini L, Mariniello A, Mucci N, Arcangeli G. Industrial exoskeletons from bench to field: Human-machine interface and user experience in occupational settings and tasks. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1039680. [PMID: 36478728 PMCID: PMC9720272 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1039680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are considered nowadays the most serious issue in the Occupational Health and Safety field and industrial exoskeletons appear to be a new approach to addressing this medical burden. A systematic review has been carried out to analyze the real-life data of the application of exoskeletons in work settings considering the subjective responses of workers. Methods The review was registered on PROSPERO. The literature search and its report have been performed following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Results Twenty-four original studies were included in the literature review; 42% of the papers retrieved included automobilist industry workers, 17% of the studies evaluated the use of exoskeletons in logistic facilities, and 17% of articles involved healthcare. The remaining six papers recruited farmers, plasterers, wasting collectors, construction workers, and other workmen. All the papers selected tested the use of passive exoskeletons, supporting upper arms or back. Usability, perceived comfort, perceived exertion and fatigue, acceptability and intention to use, occupational safety and health, and job performance and productivity were the main topic analyzed. Conclusion Exoskeletons are not a fix-all technology, neither for workers nor for job tasks; they tend to show more of their potential in static activities, while in dynamic tasks, they can obstacle regular job performance. Comfort and easiness of use are the key factors influencing the user's experience. More research is needed to determine the most effective and safe ways to implement exoskeleton use in occupational settings. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=275728, identifier CRD42021275728.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Baldassarre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Filippo Cavallo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Fiorini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Mucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulio Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Wanjara S, Oduor P. Hand injuries in Kenya: a chaff cutter menace. F1000Res 2022; 11:1255. [PMID: 37928806 PMCID: PMC10620478 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.126590.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hand injuries are a recognized occupational hazard from the use of chaff cutters. With increasing mechanization of farming in our region, the burden of hand injuries is poised to increase. Methods We conducted a descriptive study of 47 patients presenting with chaff cutter hand injuries at our center in one year. Results They were predominantly male (98%) and the majority (70%) were aged between 21 and 40 years. The majority of patients who had not resumed work were those with severe injuries and those who had had an amputation. There was a positive correlation between age category and severity of injury. Discussion Chaff cutter injuries contribute considerably to hand amputations at our center. The majority of patients with severe injuries and those undergoing amputations do not return to gainful activities one year after sustaining the injury, suggesting increased dependency. Further research is paramount to identify safety features of chaff cutters in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Wanjara
- Department of Surgery, Nakuru Level V Hospital, Nakuru, Kenya
| | - Peter Oduor
- Department of Surgery, Nakuru Level V Hospital, Nakuru, Kenya
- Department of Surgery, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya
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Shin DS, Jeong BY. Older Female Farmers and Modeling of Occupational Hazards, Wellbeing, and Sleep-Related Problems on Musculoskeletal Pains. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127274. [PMID: 35742520 PMCID: PMC9223070 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127274] [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: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal pains seem to be the most prevalent among occupational diseases in older female farmers. This study analyzes the relationships between exposure to ergonomic or environmental hazards, sleep-related problems, wellbeing, and musculoskeletal pains in older female farmers. In this study, older farmer means a farmer aged ≥60, and 2005 older female farmers were selected. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to investigate the relationships. In the results of SEM, musculoskeletal pains were more affected by the level of wellbeing (standardized path coefficient = −0.149) than the level of sleep-related problems (standardized path coefficient = 0.131) or the exposure level of ergonomic hazards (standardized path coefficient = 0.086). Among the ergonomic risk factors felt by elderly female farmers, the influence level of “awkward posture” (0.735), “repetitive motion” (0.718), or “standing posture” (0.693) was greater than that of “manual material handling” (0.661). “Vibration” (0.786) and “noise” (0.683) were influential variables of environmental hazards. In addition, “upper limb pain” (0.796) and “lower limb pain” (0.751) variables were more influential variables of musculoskeletal pains than the “backache” (0.472) variable. This study shows that strategies to improve wellbeing or sleep problems are important to alleviate or prevent musculoskeletal pains among older female farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Seok Shin
- Korea National Industrial Convergence Center, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Ansan 15588, Korea;
| | - Byung Yong Jeong
- Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul 02876, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Tsai WT. Survey on Agricultural Accidents or Injuries in Taiwan. J Agromedicine 2021; 26:404-410. [PMID: 33131422 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2020.1845895] [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: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The agricultural industry has been identified as one of the most hazardous industries in developed countries. The main purpose of this paper was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of agricultural accidents (or injuries) in Taiwan during the period of 2009 to 2018. The occupational accident rates (per 1,000 farmers employed) in Taiwan's agricultural industry showed a decreasing trend over the past decade from 1,486 in 2009 to 1,053 in 2018. This trend could be attributed to the joint-cooperation efforts of the industrial, official, academic, and non-profit parties under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) revised in 2013. Although the occupational accident, disability, and other injury rates in all non-agriculture industries were higher than those in the agricultural industry during this period, the fatality rates in the agricultural industry were higher than those in all industries. Finally, some inter-ministerial measures on occupational safety and health issues in the agricultural industry for preventing agricultural accidents or injuries were recommended in the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Tien Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Bioresources, Nat`wctional Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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