Impact of physical activity levels on musculoskeletal symptoms and absenteeism of workers of a metallurgical company

Yoga for musculoskeletal pain, discomfort, perceived stress, and quality of sleep in industry workers: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Work-related musculoskeletal pain and discomfort are due to repetitive, unnatural, continuous movements and postures. Yoga therapy is beneficial for pain and disability in occupational settings. The current study aims to investigate the effect of yoga on musculoskeletal pain, stress, and sleep quality among industry workers.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted as a parallel randomized controlled open-label trial. An allocation ratio of 1:1 was followed for randomization. A health survey was used to recruit 90 male workers in machinery manufacturing industries from Bengaluru. A specially designed yoga module was administered five days a week for eight weeks to yoga group. The waitlisted control group received lifestyle suggestions. Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered at baseline, at the fourth week and eighth weeks. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-ANOVA) was conducted to elicit the group*time interactions.

RESULTS

Ninety participants (Yoga = 45, Control = 45) with age 40.57 ± 6.85 were randomized. Significant interactions were found in CMDQ, VAS, PSS and PSQI scores. Further, between group comparison demonstrate significant difference between the groups at the end of 8 weeks for CMDQ, VAS and PSS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Yoga can be used to reduce musculoskeletal pain, discomfort, perceived stress and improve sleep quality among industry workers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CTRI/2022/03/040894.

The prevalence and risk factors of work related musculoskeletal disorders among electronics manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional analytical study in China

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the electronics manufacturing industry and to investigate the relations between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and work-related variables.

METHODS

An interview-based questionnaire survey was carried out in thirty electronics manufacturing factories in China in 2018. The prevalence of WMSDs was estimated using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of risk factors on WMSDs on multiple body parts.

RESULTS

The 12-month prevalence of WMSDs among participants was 40.6%, and the common body sites affected were the neck (26.8%), shoulder (22.8%), upper back (14.9%), and lower back (14.8%). The results of logistic regression showed that female adults, > 5 job tenure and work-related factors (including awkward posture, lifting or carrying weights, excessive repetition, prolonged sitting, monotonous work and working under conditions of cold or temperature variations) led to a higher risk of WMSDs on most body parts. Upper back, wrist/hand and elbow pain levels were significantly higher for workers with vibration. However, more frequently, physical exercise was a protective factor against WMSDs on most body parts except the upper back, leg and knee.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among the electronics manufacturing industry in China. Different personal and work factors are related to the occurrence of WMSD on different body parts. Preventive measures should be implemented based on the characteristics of WMSD in the electronic manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the training and intervention guidance of ergonomic hazards in the workplace need to be strengthened by understanding the impact of bad posture, avoiding long-term sitting posture and increasing physical activities.

Stakeholders' Perceptions Regarding Adaptation and Implementation of Existing Individual and Environmental Workplace Health Promotion Interventions in Blue-Collar Work Settings

Blue-collar workers often have disadvantageous health statuses and might therefore benefit from a combination of individual and environmental workplace health promotion interventions. Exploring stakeholders' perceived facilitators and barriers regarding the combined implementation of these interventions in blue-collar work settings is important for effective implementation. A qualitative study consisting of 20 stakeholder interviews within six types of organisations in The Netherlands was conducted. The potential implementation of the evidence-based individual intervention SMARTsize and the environmental intervention company cafeteria 2.0 was discussed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with a deductive approach. Five main themes emerged: (1) the availability of resources, (2) professional obligation, (3) expected employee cooperation, (4) the compatibility of the proposed health interventions, and (5) the content of implementation tools and procedures. Generally, stakeholders expressed a sense of professional obligation toward workplace health promotion, mentioning that the current societal focus on health and lifestyle provided the perfect opportunity to implement interventions to promote healthy eating and physical activity. However, they often perceived the high doses of employees' occupational physical activity as a barrier. We recommend co-creating interventions, implementation tools, and processes by involving stakeholders with different professional backgrounds and by adapting communication strategies at diverse organisational levels.

Multi-Site Musculoskeletal Symptoms in the Electronics Manufacturing Industry in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

With the development of the electronics manufacturing industry, the demand for human resources has increased, which has also led to the frequent occurrence of multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

METHOD

The participants (n = 7307) were recruited from 30 enterprises in China in 2018. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was estimated using a modified Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. The multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of risk factors on multi-site musculoskeletal symptoms. Additionally, the log-binomial model was established to examine the correlation between the various sites of musculoskeletal symptoms in the body.

RESULTS

The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among participants was 40.6%. The proportion of musculoskeletal symptoms involving single-site and 2/>2 body sites were 11.6% and 29.0%, respectively. The results of logistic regression showed that female adults who smoked, had >5-year job tenure, and always stood or sat for long period at work had a higher risk in 2/>2 body sites of musculoskeletal symptoms (p < 0.05). However, physical exercise during leisure time and "Squatting or kneeling for long period at work" were more frequently protective factors. Furthermore, the log-binomial model indicated that the neck and shoulder were significantly related to each other (Prevalence Ratio, PR: 5.511 and 7.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Several demographic characteristics and work-related factors were associated with multi-site musculoskeletal symptoms in the electronics manufacturing industry in China. Improving the levels of physical exercise and reducing posture problems and force loads may help to promote the health of workers.

Characterization and general health conditions of workers in a Chilean industrial area: a worrying reality

Introduction

Within the occupational field, changes in the characteristics of work have revealed risks associated with static, repetitive work and litle physical activity, which together with individual health conditions of workers can trigger diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.

Objectives

To obtain a preliminary characterization of workers in an industrial area, including their health and working conditions.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, developed with 69 men who worked in the industrial area of Viña del Mar, Chile. A clinical and occupational evaluation was carried out with the application of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire as well as the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire.

Results

The following risk factors were identified: 53.6% of the workers were smokers, 92.8% presented low levels of physical activity, and 70.3% reported feeling pain in body segments that were physically required during their work tasks. Among all workers, 63% were overweight according to their body mass index and 62% presented high systolic pressure. Pain was mostly detected in the spine, and it was slightly associated with forklif operation by older workers (t-test p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Workers were in the presence of cardiovascular and occupational risks. It is necessary to promote timely education and training on health conditions and to evaluate risks associated with machinery operation in order to prevent work-related pain.

Association of Physical Activity and Quality of Life with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the UAE Young Adults

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) pose threat to the global economy and work productivity. Though growing evidence shows physical activity and quality of life are major determinants for WRMSDs, the association between physical activity and the quality of life among the young adults of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains unclear. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 507 young adults who were between the ages 18–35 years were administered an interviewer-based survey on musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity, and quality of life. The association between the potential determinants and the WRMSDs was analyzed using linear and logistic regression models. Results: High prevalence (75%) of WRMSDs was found among the UAE young adults. Participants with low leisure-time physical activity had few WRMSDs. There was no significant association between physical activity or quality-of-life scores with the incidence of WRMSDs although physical activity time was highly associated with the quality of life, especially the social domain. Conclusion: Though a high prevalence of WRMSDs among UAE men and women was found, neither physical activity nor the quality-of-life scores determined the incidence of WRMSDs.