Workability in the Ageing Workforce-A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Wearables for Monitoring and Postural Feedback in the Work Context: A Scoping Review

Wearables offer a promising solution for simultaneous posture monitoring and/or corrective feedback. The main objective was to identify, synthesise, and characterise the wearables used in the workplace to monitor and postural feedback to workers. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Studies were included between 1 January 2000 and 22 March 2023 in Spanish, French, English, and Portuguese without geographical restriction. The databases selected for the research were PubMed®, Web of Science®, Scopus®, and Google Scholar®. Qualitative studies, theses, reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. Twelve studies were included, involving a total of 304 workers, mostly health professionals (n = 8). The remaining studies covered workers in the industry (n = 2), in the construction (n = 1), and welders (n = 1). For assessment purposes, most studies used one (n = 5) or two sensors (n = 5) characterised as accelerometers (n = 7), sixaxial (n = 2) or nonaxialinertial measurement units (n = 3). The most common source of feedback was the sensor itself (n = 6) or smartphones (n = 4). Haptic feedback was the most prevalent (n = 6), followed by auditory (n = 5) and visual (n = 3). Most studies employed prototype wearables emphasising kinematic variables of human movement. Healthcare professionals were the primary focus of the study along with haptic feedback that proved to be the most common and effective method for correcting posture during work activities.

General practitioners' stay-at-work practices in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: using Intervention Mapping to develop a training program

OBJECTIVES

To describe current stay-at-work practices among Danish general practitioners (GPs) in relation to patients with musculoskeletal disorders, to identify potential avenues for improvement, and to suggest a training program for the GPs.

DESIGN AND SETTING

We followed the principles of Intervention Mapping. Data were collected by means of literature searches, focus group interviews with GPs, and interaction with stakeholder representatives from the Danish labour market.

RESULTS

GPs' current stay-at-work practices were influenced by systemic, organisational, and legislative factors, and by personal determinants, including knowledge and skills relating to stay-at-work principles and musculoskeletal disorders, recognition of the patient's risk of long-term work disability, their role as a GP, and expectations of interactions with other stay-at-work stakeholders. GPs described themselves as important partners and responsible for the diagnostic and holistic assessments of the patient but placed themselves on the side line relying on the patient or workplace stakeholders to act. Their practices are influenced both by patients, employers, and by other stakeholders. We propose a training course for GPs that incorporate both concrete tools and behaviour change techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified varied perspectives on the roles and responsibilities of GPs, as well as legislative and organisational barriers, and proposed a training program. Not all barriers identified can be addressed by a training course, and some questions are left unanswered, among others - who are best suited to help patients staying at work?

The Relationship between Work, Health and Job Performance for a Sustainable Working Life: A Case Study on Older Manual Employees in an Italian Steel Factory

BACKGROUND

Supporting and retaining older workers has become a strategic management goal for companies, considering the ageing of the workforce and the prolongation of working lives. The relationship between health and work is especially crucial for older workers with manual tasks, considering the impact of long-standing health impairments in older age. Although different studies investigated the relationship between work ability and job performance, few studies have analysed the impact of workers' capability to balance between health and work demands, including managerial and organisational support (work-health balance). Considering health as a dynamic balance between work and health demands influenced by both individual and environmental factors, we assess the mediator role of work-health balance in the relation between work ability and job performance, both self-reported and assessed by the supervisor.

METHODS

The study utilises data from a case study of 156 manual workers, who were 50 years old or older and employed in a steel company in Italy. Data were collected inside the company as an organiational initiative to support age diversity.

RESULTS

The findings show that work-health balance partially mediates the relationship between work ability and self-rated job performance, while it does not mediate the relationship with job performance as rated by the supervisor. Supervisor-rated job performance is positively associated with work ability, while it decreases with the increasing perceived incompatibility between work and health.

CONCLUSION

A perceived balance between health and work is a strategic factor in increasing manual older workers' job performance. For older workers, not only the perceived capability to work is important but also the organisational health climate and supervisor's support. More studies are needed to verify if managers overlook the importance of health climate and support, as strategic elements that can foster performance for older employees.

Ergonomic and individual risk factors for musculoskeletal pain in the ageing workforce

Background

The present study aimed to investigate the possible association between specific ergonomic and individual risk factors and musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in the back, shoulder, hip and knee region in workers aged 50-65y.

Methods

The study was a population based cross-sectional survey. The study population comprised citizens born between 1952–1966, living in Esbjerg municipality, Denmark, ultimo 2016 (n = 23,463). A questionnaire was sent electronically or by mail. The analysis included the working population only. A multivariate logistic regression was used for each of the following dependent variables; musculoskeletal pain for the past 3 months in the back, shoulder, hip and knee, where independent variables included ergonomic exposure, age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and leisure time physical activity (LTPA).

Results

The overall response rate was 58% and the data of individuals at work (n = 9,263) demonstrated several ergonomic exposures with increased odds for pain in specific regions. Exposure to back twisted or bend, squatting or lying on knees and to carrying or lifting were associated with musculoskeletal pain in the back, whereas exposure to back twisted or bend, arms above shoulder and repeated arm movement were associated with pain in the shoulder. Exposure to back twisted or bend, repeated arm movement, squatting or lying on knees and to carrying or lifting were associated with musculoskeletal pain in the hip. Important individual risk factors were also identified. Increasing age was significantly associated with increased pain in the hip but associated with less risk for pain in the back and shoulder. Males had higher odds for pain in the back and knee compared to females but lower odds for pain in the hip. BMI was particularly important for knee pain. The level of LTPA did not have an important association with MSP in any region.

Conclusion

There is a significant positive association between ergonomic exposures and musculoskeletal pain, which were specific for the back, shoulder, hip and knee. In addition, the data demonstrated a differential association with age, sex and BMI. This needs to be considered for the treatment and classification of musculoskeletal pain and for future preventive initiatives.

Factors Influencing Work Ability among the Working-Age Population in Singburi Province, Thailand

The ability to work is an essential factor in the quality of work life. This study aimed to determine factors related to work ability among the working population in Sing Buri Province. A total of 360 workers completed a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic data and work conditions, psychosocial factors, and measures of the seven components of the work-ability index (WAI). Mean, percentage, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the rates and predictors of the WAI of the participants. Of the 360 participants, 61.40% were women with an average age of 43.00 ± 11.30 years; 36.70% had completed high school education. Their average work experience was 11.30 ± 8.50 years. The results revealed that the average WAI was 31.40 ± 4.15. 76.10% of the participants qualified for the moderate work ability index. The number of current diseases, age, and monthly income were found to significantly contribute to the prediction of the WAI (p < 0.05). This finding suggests that the relevant agencies should support a policy, project or program related to health promotion among the working population with physical health conditions. Promoting occupations should be considered to raise income policy. In doing so, work ability among the working population may be improved.