Validation of newly developed and redesigned key indicator methods for assessment of different working conditions with physical workloads based on mixed-methods design: a study protocol

IntroductionThe impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is considerable. The assessment of work tasks with physical workloads is crucial to estimate the work-related health risks of exposed employees. Three key indicator methods are available for risk assessment regarding manual lifting, holding and carrying of loads; manual pulling and pushing of loads; and manual handling operations. Three further KIMs for risk assessment regarding whole-body forces, awkward body postures and body movement have been developed de novo. In addition, the development of a newly drafted combined method for mixed exposures is planned. All methods will be validated regarding face validity, reliability, convergent validity, criterion validity and further aspects of utility under practical conditions.Methods and analysisAs part of the joint project MEGAPHYS (multilevel risk assessment of physical workloads), a mixed-methods study is being designed for the validation of KIMs and conducted in companies of different sizes and branches in Germany. Workplaces are documented and analysed by observations, applying KIMs, interviews and assessment of environmental conditions. Furthermore, a survey among the employees at the respective workplaces takes place with standardised questionnaires, interviews and physical examinations. It is intended to include 1200 employees at 120 different workplaces. For analysis of the quality criteria, recommendations of the COSMIN checklist (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) will be taken into account.Ethics and disseminationThe study was planned and conducted in accordance with the German Medical Professional Code and the Declaration of Helsinki as well as the German Federal Data Protection Act. The design of the study was approved by ethics committees. We intend to publish the validated KIMs in 2018. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international meetings and disseminated to actual users for practical application.

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The McNorm Library: Creating and Validating a New Library of Emotionally Expressive Dance Movement

10.31234/osf.io/ncwqj ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Anne Smith ◽

Emily S. Cross

Keyword(s):

Body Movement ◽

Whole Body ◽

Dance Movement ◽

Affective Communication ◽

Bodily Movement ◽

Affective Cues ◽

Point Light ◽

The Impact ◽

The Voice ◽

Accuracy Rates

The ability to exchange affective cues with others plays a key role in our ability to create and maintain meaningful social relationships. We express our emotions through a variety of socially salient cues, including facial expressions, the voice, and body movement. While significant advances have been made in our understanding of verbal and facial communication, to date, understanding of the role played by human body movement in our social interactions remains incomplete. To this end, here we describe the creation and validation of a new set of emotionally expressive whole-body dance movement stimuli, named the Motion Capture Norming (McNorm) Library, which was designed to reconcile a number of limitations associated with previous movement stimuli. This library comprises a series of point-light representations of a dancer’s movements, which were performed to communicate neutrality, happiness, sadness, anger, and fear to observers. Based on results from two validation experiments, participants could reliably discriminate the intended emotion to clips in this stimulus set, with accuracy rates up to 60% (chance = 20%). We further explored the impact of dance experience and trait empathy on emotion recognition and found that neither significantly impacted emotion discrimination. As all materials for presenting and analysing this movement library are openly available, we hope this resource will aid other researchers in further exploration of affective communication expressed by human bodily movement.

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Recent findings from the Upper Limb Consortium Study: new approaches to risk assessment and additional health outcomes

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181319631389 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 948-954

Author(s):

Carisa Harris ◽

David Rempel ◽

Alysha R Meyers ◽

Stephen Bao ◽

Jay Kapellusch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Rotator Cuff ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Assessment Methods ◽

The Impact

Historically, work-related upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have comprised a significant portion of the number and cost of injuries in the workplace. The problem of work-related upper-extremity MSD has been, and continues to be, widespread and costly. This panel will present recent research from the Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Consortium studies. Presentations will be made on new health outcomes such as wrist tendinosis, epicondylitis and rotator cuff syndrome, as well as provide updates on applying new risk assessment methods to prior analyses. The application of the Revised Strain Index will be presented as will a comparison of results from the 2001 ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity to the 2018 ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity. Additionally, the impact of healthy worker survivor effect on the pooled analyses of incident CTS and CTS related disability will be discussed.

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The impact of tool selection on back and wrist injury risk in tying steel reinforcement bars: a single case experiment

Construction Economics and Building ◽

10.5130/ajceb.v19i1.6279 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Helen Lingard ◽

Isaac Selva Raj ◽

Noel Lythgo ◽

Olga Troynikov ◽

Chris Fitzgerald

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Single Case ◽

Wearable Sensors ◽

Musculoskeletal Injury ◽

Steel Reinforcement ◽

Whole Body ◽

Work Related ◽

Trunk Inclination ◽

The Impact

The paper explores the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injury in tying steel reinforcement bars. Three tools are compared to determine the extent to which ergonomic tools can reduce the risk of injury to the back and wrist in steel-tying. A whole body system of wearable sensors was used to measure biomechanical risk in tying. Three tools were assessed to determine their impact on the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injury when used at different heights. These were: a conventional pincer-cutting tool; a power-driven tying tool, and a long handled stapler tool. No tool was found to work best in all situations. The long handled stapler tool significantly reduced trunk inclination when used from ground to shoulder height, but produced higher trunk extension (backward bending) when used above shoulder height. The power tying tool did not reduce the need to bend when working at lower work heights. The power-tying tool produced significantly lower peak wrist flexion values compared to the conventional pincer-cutter tool at all work heights except overhead. The power tying tool involved significantly lower levels of wrist rotation than the conventional pincer-cutter tool at all work heights above knee level. Many assessments of ergonomic risk factors in construction rely on observational methods. The use of small, lightweight wearable sensors permits the objective measurement of biomechanical risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal injury, as well as providing objective performance data that can be used in the design and selection of task-specific tools. Our analysis of work by height also provides insight into the way in which risk factors and reduction opportunities afforded by different tools vary depending on the height at which work is to be performed.

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How to Select a Questionnaire with a Good Methodological Quality?

Brazilian Dental Journal ◽

10.1590/0103-6440201802008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 3-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Saul Martins Paiva ◽

Matheus de França Perazzo ◽

Fernanda Ruffo Ortiz ◽

Isabela Almeida Pordeus ◽

Paulo Antônio Martins-Júnior

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Measurement Instruments ◽

Health Measurement ◽

Cosmin Checklist ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

Abstract In the last decades, several instruments have been used to evaluate the impact of oral health problems on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of individuals. However, some instruments lack thorough methodological validation or present conceptual differences that hinder comparisons with instruments. Thus, it can be difficult to clinicians and researchers to select a questionnaire that accurately reflect what are really meaningful to individuals. This short communication aimed to discuss the importance of use an appropriate checklist to select an instrument with a good methodological quality. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist was developed to provide tools for evidence-based instrument selection. The COSMIN checklist comprises ten boxes that evaluate whether a study meets the standard for good methodological quality and two additional boxes to meet studies that use the Item Response Theory method and general requirements for results generalization, resulting in four steps to be followed. In this way, it is required at least some expertise in psychometrics or clinimetrics to a wide-ranging use of this checklist. The COSMIN applications include its use to ensure the standardization of cross-cultural adaptations and safer comparisons between measurement studies and evaluation of methodological quality of systematic reviews of measurement properties. Also, it can be used by students when training about measurement properties and by editors and reviewers when revising manuscripts on this topic. The popularization of COSMIN checklist is therefore necessary to improve the selection and evaluation of health measurement instruments.

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ND2 THE IMPACT OF HEREDITARY TRANSTHYRETIN AMYLOIDOSIS ON WORK-RELATED OUTCOMES: A MIXED METHODS APPROACH

Value in Health ◽

10.1016/j.jval.2019.09.078 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. S412

Author(s):

J. Sikora Kessler ◽

M. Pollock ◽

S. Guthrie ◽

M.K. White ◽

K. Raymond

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Transthyretin Amyloidosis ◽

Mixed Methods Approach ◽

Work Related ◽

The Impact ◽

Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis

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An overview and critique of the Test of Visual Perception Skills – fourth edition (TVPS-4)

Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/1569186118793847 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 59-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ted Brown ◽

Lisa Peres

Keyword(s):

Visual Perception ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

The United States ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Fourth Edition ◽

Health Measurement ◽

Cultural Validity ◽

Cosmin Checklist ◽

The Impact

Introduction The Test of Visual Perception Skills – fourth edition (TVPS-4) is an updated version of the Test of Visual Perception Skills – third edition (TVPS-3). The TVPS-4 is a standardized assessment of motor-free visual perception skills for individuals aged 5–21 years. Test norms were derived from a normative sample that reflected the United States population. Method The present paper outlines and appraises the reliability and validity of the TVPS-4. Measurement properties of the TVPS-4 were critiqued using the Quality Criteria for Health Status Questionnaires (QCHSQ) and the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist with 4-point rating scale. Results The TVPS-4 manual reports details of reasonable levels and types of overall reliability and validity. The QCHSQ and COSMIN checklist reviews suggested that further research is needed in relation to the TVPS-4’s measurement error, reproducibility, internal consistency and cross-cultural validity. Conclusion The TVPS-4 is an in-depth assessment that can be used to identify areas of impairment and assist with goal setting and intervention planning. The impact of the TVPS-4 on occupational therapy practice is also considered. Future research could investigate the cross-cultural validity of the TVPS-4 so that it can be used in other countries with confidence.

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Exploring a Complementary Stress Management and Wellbeing Intervention Model for Teachers: Participant Experience

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18179009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 9009

Author(s):

Stevie-Jae Hepburn ◽

Annemaree Carroll ◽

Louise McCuaig

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Stress Management ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Contextual Information ◽

Self Report ◽

Individual Level ◽

Work Related ◽

The Individual ◽

Professional Contexts ◽

The Impact

Background: work-related stress can have alarming physiological and psychological health impacts, which may permeate into personal and professional contexts. Teachers need to be supported to develop the skills and strategies to effectively identify how stress manifests and how to use simple, practical techniques to manage and reduce the impact of stress. Complementary interventions (CIs) for educators may provide stress management and assist with supporting wellbeing at the individual level. Methods: the convergent mixed-methods study included participant reflections, self-report measures for perceived stress, mindful attention awareness, and subjective wellbeing and biological measures (salivary cortisol levels). Data analysis: inductive thematic analysis and mixed-methods case study design. Results: the participants shared that they experienced benefits in personal and professional contexts, behavioural changes, increased awareness of the impact of stress, and a decrease in the stress response. The participant reflections provided contextual information surrounding the self-report and biological measures. The inferences generated were reflected in both datasets. The findings supported the proposed model linking the mechanisms present in the techniques from the system of yoga and the dimensions of wellbeing. Conclusions: the findings suggest that a CI for educators may provide strategies for supporting wellbeing and assisting with stress management.

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Work-related stress: the impact of COVID-19 on critical care and redeployed nurses: a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051326 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e051326

Author(s):

Janice Rattray ◽

Louise McCallum ◽

Alastair Hull ◽

Pam Ramsay ◽

Lisa Salisbury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Critical Care ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

The Impact

IntroductionWe need to understand the impact of COVID-19 on critical care nurses (CCNs) and redeployed nurses and National Health Service (NHS) organisations.Methods and analysisThis is a mixed-methods study (QUANT-QUAL), underpinned by a theoretical model of occupational stress, the Job Demand-Resources Model (JD-R). Participants are critical care and redeployed nurses from Scottish and three large English units.Phase 1 is a cross-sectional survey in part replicating a pre-COVID-19 study and results will be compared with this data. Linear and logistic regression analysis will examine the relationship between antecedent, demographic and professional variables on health impairment (burnout syndrome, mental health, post-traumatic stress symptoms), motivation (work engagement, commitment) and organisational outcomes (intention to remain in critical care nursing and quality of care). We will also assess the usefulness of a range of resources provided by the NHS and professional organisations.To allow in-depth exploration of individual experiences, phase 2 will be one-to-one semistructured interviews with 25 CCNs and 10 redeployed nurses. The JD-R model will provide the initial coding framework to which the interview data will be mapped. The remaining content will be analysed inductively to identify and chart content that is not captured by the model. In this way, the adequacy of the JD-R model is examined robustly and its expression in this context will be detailed.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted from the University of Aberdeen CERB2020101993. We plan to disseminate findings at stakeholder events, publish in peer-reviewed journals and at present at national and international conferences.

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