1
|
Passos MHPD, Pícon SPB, Batista GDA, Nascimento VYS, Oliveira FADS, Locks F, Pitangui ACR, de Araújo RC. Effects of an eight-week physical exercise program on low back pain and function in fruit workers: A randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2024; 37:733-742. [PMID: 38160342 DOI: 10.3233/bmr-230201] [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] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low back pain is prevalent in workers' health and functional performance. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a physical exercise program on low back pain and disability in fruit workers. METHODS This randomized controlled trial assigned 44 workers (37 ± 9 years) to two groups. The experimental group consisted of 10 men and 12 women with an average age of 38 (± 9) years, and the control group consisted of 8 men and 14 women with an average age of 36 (± 10) years. The experimental group (EG) performed a program of strength and flexibility exercises for eight weeks, twice a week. The control group (CG) received minimal care, with a booklet with guidelines for performing exercises. The primary outcomes included changes in perceived disability and the intensity of pain evaluated by the Rolland-Morris questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Scale, respectively. All outcomes were measured at baseline and after eight weeks of intervention. RESULTS A significant difference was observed in the within-group analysis, with a mean reduction in pain intensity in the EG and CG of -4.55 (95%CI -7.01 to -2.09) and -3.81 (95%CI 1.72-5.90), respectively. For disability, a reduction of -4.45 (95% CI -8.89 to -0.02) was observed in the EG and of -4.43 (-7.38 to -1.48) in the CG. There were no significant differences in the between-groups analysis. CONCLUSIONS The exercise program was not superior to using the educational booklet. However, both interventions showed substantial decreases in pain and disability levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Francisco Locks
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation and Functional Performance, University of Pernambuco, Petrolina, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Cappato de Araújo
- Associate Graduate Program in Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation and Functional Performance, University of Pernambuco, Petrolina, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Blake H, Chaplin WJ, Wainwright E, Taylor G, McNamee P, McWilliams D, Abbott-Fleming V, Holmes J, Fecowycz A, Walsh DA, Walker-Bone K. The Web-Based Pain-at-Work Toolkit With Telephone Support for Employees With Chronic or Persistent Pain: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Feasibility Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e51474. [PMID: 37902814 PMCID: PMC10644198 DOI: 10.2196/51474] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic or persistent pain affects one's ability to work or be productive at work, generating high societal and economic burden. However, the provision of work-related advice and support for people with chronic pain is variable or lacking. The Pain-at-Work (PAW) Toolkit was cocreated with people who live with pain, health care professionals, and employers. It aims to increase knowledge about employee rights and how to access support for managing a painful chronic condition in the workplace and provides advice on lifestyle behaviors that facilitate the management of chronic pain. OBJECTIVE We aimed to establish the feasibility of conducting a definitive cluster randomized controlled trial comparing access to the PAW Toolkit and telephone support calls from an occupational therapist (PAW) with treatment as usual (ie, standard support from their employer). Our primary outcomes are establishing parameters of feasibility, acceptability, usability, and safety of this digital workplace health intervention. We will assess the candidate primary and secondary outcomes' feasibility and test research processes for a definitive trial. METHODS This is an open-label, parallel 2-arm pragmatic feasibility cluster randomized controlled trial with exploratory health economics analysis and a nested qualitative interview study. We aim to recruit 120 participants from at least 8 workplace clusters (any type, >10 employees) in England. The recruitment of workplaces occurs via personal approach, and the recruitment of individual participants is web based. Eligible participants are vocationally active adults aged ≥18 years with internet access and self-reporting chronic pain interfering with their ability to undertake or enjoy productive work. A restricted 1:1 cluster-level randomization is used to allocate employment settings to PAW or treatment as usual; participants are unblinded to group allocation. Following site- and individual-level consent, participants complete a web-based baseline survey (time 0), including measures of work capacity, health and well-being, and health care resource use. Follow-up is performed at 3 months (time 1) and 6 months (time 2). Feasibility outcomes relate to recruitment; intervention fidelity (eg, delivery, reach, uptake, and engagement); retention; and follow-up. Qualitative evaluation (time 2) is mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior model and will explore intervention acceptability to employees and employers, along with individual and contextual factors influencing the delivery and uptake of the intervention. RESULTS Ethics approval was obtained in March 2023. Trial recruitment began in June 2023. CONCLUSIONS The PAW Toolkit is the first evidence-based digital health intervention aimed at supporting the self-management of chronic or persistent pain at work. This study will inform the design of a definitive trial, including sample size estimation, approaches to cluster site identification, primary and secondary outcomes' selection, and the final health economic model. Findings will inform approaches for the future delivery of this digital health intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05838677; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05838677. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/51474.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly Blake
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Pain Centre Versus Arthritis, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy J Chaplin
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Pain Centre Versus Arthritis, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Wainwright
- Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health (Epidemiology Group), School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon Taylor
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Paul McNamee
- Health Economics Research Unit, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel McWilliams
- Pain Centre Versus Arthritis, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Academic Unit of Injury, Recovery and Inflammation Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jain Holmes
- Academic Unit of Injury, Recovery and Inflammation Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Fecowycz
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - David Andrew Walsh
- Pain Centre Versus Arthritis, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Academic Unit of Injury, Recovery and Inflammation Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Walker-Bone
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Amiri B, Zemková E. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises in recovery from fatigue-induced changes in spinal mobility and postural stability: a study protocol. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1220464. [PMID: 37457029 PMCID: PMC10340528 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1220464] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged periods of sitting at work can increase trunk muscle fatigue from the continuous contraction of deep trunk muscles. Insufficient activity of these muscles can decrease muscular support to the spine and increases stress on its passive structures. This can lead to reduced spinal mobility and impaired postural stability. It may also stimulate nociceptor activity leading to pain. However, frequently used recovery modalities such as muscle strengthening and stretching exercises, can be time-consuming, impractical, and difficult to implement in the workplace. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises, which increase the activity of the deep trunk muscles by raising intra-abdominal pressure, seem to be a suitable alternative. However, little is known as to what extent diaphragmatic breathing exercises contribute to the reduction of fatigue induced by prolonged sitting. This paper presents a study protocol that aims to investigate the acute effect of diaphragmatic breathing exercises on recovery of fatigue-induced changes in spinal mobility and postural stability in sedentary middle-aged adults at risk of developing non-specific low back pain. Twenty sedentary adults aged between 25 and 44 years will perform Abt's fatigue protocol, followed by 1) active recovery using diaphragmatic breathing exercises and 2) passive recovery in the form of lying on the bed, respectively. There will be 1 week of rest in-between. Pre-fatigue, post-fatigue, and after the active and passive recovery, spinal mobility and postural stability will be evaluated using the spinal mouse device and a posturography system, respectively. The electromyography will be used to determine the muscle-fatigue conditions. We hypothesize that active recovery in a form of diaphragmatic breathing exercises would be more effective in restoring spinal mobility and postural stability followed by the fatigue of back and hamstring muscles compared to passive recovery in sedentary adults. Increasing core and respiratory muscle strength via these exercises could be beneficial for overall mobility and stability of the spine. Reducing compressive stress on the passive structures of the spine may be also beneficial for lowering low back pain. Therefore, we believe that diaphragmatic breathing exercises have the possibility to be incorporated into the workplace and contribute to better back health in sedentary middle-aged adults. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://www.irct.ir/trial/67015], identifier [IRCT20221126056606N1].
Collapse
|
4
|
Larinier N, Vuillerme N, Balaguier R. Effectiveness of warm-up interventions on work-related musculoskeletal disorders, physical and psychosocial functions among workers: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e056560. [PMID: 37130661 PMCID: PMC10163487 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this systematic review was to identify from published literature the available evidence regarding the effects of warm-up intervention implemented in the workplace on work -related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and physical and psychosocial functions. DESIGN Systematic review. DATA SOURCES The following four electronic databases were searched (from inception onwards to October 2022): Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed (Medline), Web of Science and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomised and non-randomised controlled studies were included in this review. Interventions should include a warm-up physical intervention in real-workplaces. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS The primary outcomes were pain, discomfort, fatigue and physical functions. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation evidence synthesis. To assess the risk of bias, the Cochrane ROB2 was used for randomised controlled trial (RCT) and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions was used for the non-RCT studies. RESULTS Three studies met the inclusion criterion, one cluster RCT and two non-RCTs. There was an important heterogeneity in the included studies principally concerning population and warm-up intervention exercises. There were important risks of bias in the four selected studies, due to blinding and confounding factors. Overall certainty of evidence was very low. CONCLUSION Due to the poor methodological quality of studies and conflicting results, there was no evidence supporting the use of warm-up to prevent WMSDs in the workplace. The present findings highlighted the need of good quality studies targeting the effects of warm-up intervention to prevent WMSDs. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42019137211.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Larinier
- AGEIS, Université Grenoble Alpes, Saint-Martin-d'Heres, France
- Opti'Mouv, St Paul, France
| | - Nicolas Vuillerme
- AGEIS, Université Grenoble Alpes, Saint-Martin-d'Heres, France
- Opti'Mouv, St Paul, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Romain Balaguier
- AGEIS, Université Grenoble Alpes, Saint-Martin-d'Heres, France
- Opti'Mouv, St Paul, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Magnavita N, Chiorri C, Acquadro Maran D, Garbarino S, Di Prinzio RR, Gasbarri M, Matera C, Cerrina A, Gabriele M, Labella M. Organizational Justice and Health: A Survey in Hospital Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159739. [PMID: 35955099 PMCID: PMC9367749 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
In complex systems such as hospitals, work organization can influence the level of occupational stress and, consequently, the physical and mental health of workers. Hospital healthcare workers were asked to complete a questionnaire during their regular occupational health examination, in order to assess the perceived level of organizational justice, and to verify whether it was associated with occupational stress, mental health, and absenteeism. The questionnaire included the Colquitt Organizational Justice (OJ) Scale, the Karasek/Theorell demand-control-support (DCS) questionnaire for occupational stress, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) for mental health. Workers were also required to indicate whether they had been absent because of back pain in the past year. Organizational justice was a significant predictor of occupational stress. Stress was a mediator in the relationship between justice and mental health. Occupational stress was more closely related to perceptions of lack of distributive justice than to perceptions of procedural, informational, and interpersonal justice. Physicians perceived significantly less distributive justice than other workers. In adjusted univariate logistic regression models, the perceptions of organizational justice were associated with a significant reduction in the risk of sick leave for back pain (OR 0.96; CI95% 0.94−0.99; p < 0.001), whereas occupational stress was associated with an increased risk of sick leave (OR 6.73; CI95% 2.02−22.40; p < 0.002). Work organization is a strong predictor of occupational stress and of mental and physical health among hospital employees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Magnavita
- Section of Occupational Medicine and Labor Law, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Department of Woman, Child & Public Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3473300367
| | - Carlo Chiorri
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genova, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Daniela Acquadro Maran
- WOW—Work and Organisational Well-Being Research Group, Department of Psychology, Università di Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
| | - Sergio Garbarino
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal/Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio
- Section of Occupational Medicine and Labor Law, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Anna Cerrina
- Local Sanitary Unit Roma4, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Urrejola-Contreras GP, Pérez-Lizama MA, Tiscornia-González C, Vásquez-Leiva A, Pérez-Casanova D, Pincheira-Guzmán E. Characterization and general health conditions of workers in a Chilean industrial area: a worrying reality. Rev Bras Med Trab 2022; 20:393-400. [PMID: 36793456 PMCID: PMC9904837 DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-741] [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: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Paz Urrejola-Contreras
- Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Viña del Mar,
Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile. ,Correspondence address: Gabriela Paz Urrejola-Contreras – Universidad
Viña del Mar, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud – Agua Santa 7055 – Postal code:
2520000 – Rodelillo, Viña del Mar, Chile – E-mail:
| | | | | | - Alejandra Vásquez-Leiva
- Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Medicina,
Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
The Effects of Workplace Interventions on Low Back Pain in Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312614. [PMID: 34886343 PMCID: PMC8657220 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effects of workplace interventions (WI) on clinical outcomes related to low back pain (LBP) in a worker population, and to assess socio-economic parameters as participants on sick leave, days of sick leave, and return to work following WI. A systematic literature search was performed to select randomized clinical trials that investigated the effectiveness of WI on return to work, sick leave, and working capacity of workers affected by nonspecific LBP. Fourteen articles were included in the review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed improvements in pain (p = 0.004), disability (p = 0.0008), fear-avoidance for psychical activity (p = 0.004), and quality of life (p = 0.001 for physical scale and p = 0.03 for mental scale) for patients who underwent WI compared to controls. Moreover, the pain reduction following WI was statistically significant in the healthcare workers’ group (p = 0.005), but not in the other workers’ group. The participants on sick leave and the number of days of sick leave decreased in the WI group without statistical significance (p = 0.85 and p = 0.10, respectively). Finally, LBP recurrence was significantly reduced in the WI group (p = 0.006). WI led to a significant improvement of clinical outcomes in a workers’ population affected by LBP.
Collapse
|
8
|
da Silva DNFB, Faro HKC, Tavares MPM, do Nascimento Neto LI, Agrícola PMD, Machado DGDS. Influence of workplace exercise on workers' cognitive performance. Rev Bras Med Trab 2021; 19:157-164. [PMID: 34603411 PMCID: PMC8447644 DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2021-573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Occupational tasks require physical and cognitive efforts. Within this context, workplace exercise seems to be a promising intervention to improve physical capacity. However, little is known about the influence of workplace exercise on cognitive performance. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the influence of workplace exercise on cognitive performance in administrative office workers. Methods This cross-sectional study included 16 workers who performed workplace exercise training and 14 workers who did not (control group). The assessments were conducted after 3 months of workplace exercise training (stretching exercises, two to three times/week, 10-15 minutes/day). Physical activity level was assessed with the short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while cognitive performance was assessed using computerized versions of Stroop color-word test and Corsi block-tapping test. Results There was no significant difference between the groups in any Stroop test phases or in Stroop interference (349.3 ± 103.52 vs. 416.0 ± 129.7 ms; 5.37 ± 2.11 vs. 10.12 ± 6.55 %error; p > 0.05). No difference was found in Corsi test sequence of blocks (5.50 ± 0.82 vs. 5.57 ± 0.76 blocks) or in the total score (45.19 ± 15.96 vs. 46.93 ± 15.93 points; p > 0.77). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that 12 weeks of workplace exercise training does not improve the cognitive performance of office workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Gomes da Silva Machado
- Department of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Collective Health, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|