Clinical Reabilitation of Upper Limb in Chronic Stroke in Portugal-A Cross Sectional Survey

ObjectivesTo survey the reported content, frequency and duration of upper limb treatment provided by occupational and physiotherapists for people after stroke in the UK.DesignA cross-sectional online survey was used. Description and analysis of the data were based on items from the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (Who, Where, What and How much).SettingThe online survey was distributed via professional and social networks to UK-based therapists.ParticipantsRespondents were occupational or physiotherapists currently working clinically in the UK with people after stroke. Over the 6 week data collection period, 156 respondents opened the survey, and 154 completed it. Respondents comprised 85 physiotherapists and 69 occupational therapists.ResultsRespondents reported treating the upper limb a median of three times a week (range: 1 to 7) for a mean of 29 min (SD: 18). Most (n=110) stated this was supplemented by rehabilitation assistants, family and/or carers providing additional therapy a median of three times a week (range 1 to 7). Functional training was the most commonly reported treatment for people with mild and moderate upper limb deficits (>40%). There was much less consistency in treatments reported for people with severe upper limb deficits with less than 20% (n=28) reporting the same treatments.ConclusionsThis study provides a contemporaneous description of reported therapy in the UK for people with upper limb deficits after stroke and a detailed template to inform standard therapy interventions in future research. Several evidence-based therapies were reported to be used by respondents (eg, constraint induced movement therapy), but others were not (eg, mental imagery). The findings also highlight that the current reported provision of upper limb therapy is markedly less than what is likely to be effective. This underlines an urgent need to configure and fund services to empower therapists to deliver greater amounts of evidence-based treatment for people with upper limb deficits after stroke.

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Cross-Sectional Survey of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Workers Practicing Traditional Methods of Underground Coal Mining

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072566 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2566

Author(s):

Madiha Ijaz ◽

Sajid Rashid Ahmad ◽

Muhammad M. Akram ◽

Steven M. Thygerson ◽

Falaq Ali Nadeem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coal Mining ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Underground Mines ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Underground Coal Mining ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

R Programming

Background: In subcontinental underground mines, coal mining is carried out manually and requires many laborers to practice traditional means of coal excavation. Each task of this occupation disturbs workers’ musculoskeletal order. In order to propose and practice possible ergonomic interventions, it is necessary to know what tasks (drilling and blasting, coal cutting, dumping, transporting, timbering and supporting, loading and unloading) cause disorder in either upper limbs, lower limbs, or both. Methods: To this end, R-programming, version R 3.1.2 and SPSS, software 20, were used to calculate data obtained by studying 260 workers (working at different tasks of coal mining) from 20 mines of four districts of Punjab, Pakistan. In addition, a Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) sheet were used to collect data and to analyze postures respectively. Results: In multi regression models, significance of the five tasks for upper and lower limb disorder is 0.00, which means that task based prevalence of upper and lower limb disorders are common in underground coal mines. The results of the multiple bar chart showed that 96 coal cutters got upper limb disorders and 82 got lower limb disorders. The task of timbering and supporting was shown to be dangerous for the lower limbs and relatively less dangerous for the upper limbs, with 25 workers reporting pain in their lower limbs, and 19 workers reporting pain in their upper limbs. Documented on the RULA sheet, all tasks got the maximum possible score (7), meaning that each of these tasks pose a threat to the posture of 100% of workers. The majority of participants (182) fell in the age group of 26 to 35 years. Of those workers, 131 reported pain in the lower limbs and slight discomfort (128) in the upper limbs. The significance value of age was 0.00 for upper limb disorder and was 0.012 for lower limb disorder. Frequency graphs show age in direct proportion to severity of pain while in inverse proportion with number of repetitions performed per min. Conclusions: All findings infer that each task of underground coal mining inflicts different levels of disorder in a workers’ musculoskeletal structure of the upper and lower limbs. It highlighted the need for urgent intervention in postural aspects of each task.

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Adaptive behaviour and motor skills in children with upper limb deficiency

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1177/0309364617718411 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 236-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hiroshi Mano ◽

Sayaka Fujiwara ◽

Nobuhiko Haga

Keyword(s):

Motor Skills ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Motor Skill ◽

Adaptive Behaviour ◽

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Adaptive Behaviours ◽

Limb Deficiencies

Background: The dysfunction of individuals with upper limb deficiencies affects their daily lives and social participation. Objectives: To clarify the adaptive behaviours and motor skills of children with upper limb deficiencies. Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: The subjects were 10 children ranging from 1 to 6 years of age with unilateral upper limb deficiencies at the level distal to the elbow who were using only cosmetic or passive prostheses or none at all. To measure their adaptive behaviour and motor skills, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition was used. They were evaluated on the domains of communication, daily living skills, socialization and motor skills. We also examined the relationship of the scores with age. Results: There were no statistically significant scores for domains or subdomains. The domain standard score of motor skills was significantly lower than the median scores of the domains and was negatively correlated with age. Conclusion: Children with upper limb deficiencies have individual weaknesses in motor skill behaviours, and these weaknesses increase with age. It may be helpful in considering approaches to rehabilitation and the prescription of prostheses to consider the characteristics and course of children’s motor skill behaviours. Clinical relevance Even if children with unilateral upper limb deficiencies seem to compensate well for their affected limb function, they have or will experience individual weaknesses in motor skills. We should take this into consideration to develop better strategies for rehabilitation and prostheses prescriptions.

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Construct Validity of the Upper-Limb Interlimb Coordination Test in Stroke

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/15459683211058092 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 154596832110580

Author(s):

Roni Molad ◽

Mindy F. Levin

Keyword(s):

Construct Validity ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Cross Correlation ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Interlimb Coordination ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Coordination Test

Background Coordination impairments are under-evaluated in patients with stroke due to the lack of validated assessments resulting in an unclear relationship between coordination deficits and functional limitations. Objective Determine the construct validity of the new clinical upper-limb (UL) Interlimb Coordination test (ILC2) in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods Thirteen individuals with stroke, ≥40 years, with ≥30° isolated supination of the more-affected (MAff) arm, who could understand instructions and 13 healthy controls of similar age participated in a cross-sectional study. Participants performed synchronous bilateral anti-phase forearm rotations for 10 seconds in 4 conditions: self-paced internally-paced (IP1), fast internally-paced (IP2), slow externally-paced (EP1), and fast externally-paced (EP2). Primary (continuous relative phase-CRP, cross-correlation, lag) and secondary outcome measures (UL and trunk kinematics) were compared between groups. Results Participants with stroke made slower UL movements than controls in all conditions, except EP1. Cross-correlation coefficients were lower (i.e., closer to 0) in stroke in IP1, but CRP and lag were similar between groups. In IP1 and matched-speed conditions (IP1 for healthy and IP2 for stroke), stroke participants used compensatory trunk and shoulder movements. The synchronicity sub-scale and total scores of ILC2 were related to temporal coordination in IP2. Interlimb Coordination test total score was related to greater shoulder rotation of the MAff arm. Interlimb Coordination test scores were not related to clinical scores. Conclusion Interlimb Coordination test is a valid clinical measure that may be used to objectively assess UL interlimb coordination in individuals with chronic stroke. Further reliability testing is needed to determine the clinical utility of the scale.

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THE PREVALENCE OF UPPER LIMB PAIN AMONG VEENA PLAYERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Revista Pesquisa em Fisioterapia ◽

10.17267/2238-2704rpf.v7i3.1423 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 326-331

Author(s):

Haari Haran Arumugam ◽

Thirumalaya Balaraman ◽

Balwant Singh Bains ◽

Hassan Sadeghi

Keyword(s):

Visual Analogue Scale ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Analogue Scale ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Limb Pain ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Repetitive Motion ◽

Upper Limb Pain ◽

Low Prevalence

Background: Instrumental musicians are a special risk group for repetitive motion injuries. Sizable percentages of them develop physical upper limb problems related to playing their instruments. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Upper Limb pain among Veena players. Method: This study was a descriptive cross sectional survey and fifty Veena Players participated in this study from a Music Academy. Trained Veena players aged between 12-50 and players who practice at least 3 times a week were included in the study. The period of pain, types of pain and location of pain were investigated by a self-developed questionnaire. In addition, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was also used to record the intensity of pain. Results: Descriptive analysis was used to analysis the data. The results showed that most of player had pain on shoulder; in addition, according to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) most of participants have dull aching pain and shooting pain. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study's results also show that there is a low prevalence of Upper Limb pain among Veena players. Multiple evidences show that Upper Limb pain is indeed prevalent predominantly among musicians of Western music. In most of the time the pain type is of dull aching and/or shooting pain.

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An analysis on neck and upper limb musculoskeletal symptoms in Portuguese automotive assembly line workers

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Safety ◽

10.24840/2184-0954_001.001_0006 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 59-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Guerreiro ◽

F. Serranheira ◽

E. B. Cruz ◽

A. Sousa-Uva

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Assembly Line ◽

Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Assembly Lines ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

Automotive Assembly

Assembly lines are related to health risks and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), particularly of the neck and upper limbs (WULMSD). The assessment of perceived musculoskeletal symptoms is essential to WULMSD prevention, but studies in this field are lacking. A cross sectional survey on assembly line workers (n=270) was performed. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency and distribution of upper limb musculoskeletal symptoms in assembly line workers. Participants were predominantly men, with ages between 30 and 40 years. Neck and upper limbs pain/discomfort were the most reported symptoms (35.9%), with intensity predominantly moderate or severe. General Health Status and past musculoskeletal injury were the variables more related to the existence of musculoskeletal symptoms; longer working life in the same company, as under 5 years, were related to higher intensity of symptoms. An early identification of musculoskeletal symptoms and health surveillance over time is of most importance to develop WRULMSD prevention measures.

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Correlation between Heavy School Bags and Upper Limb Disabilities among School Going Children

10.53350/pjmhs211592323 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (9) ◽

pp. 2323-2324

Author(s):

Umer Ilyas ◽

Shoaib Waqas ◽

Zahid Mehmood Bhatti ◽

Wajida Perveen ◽

Misbah Amanat Ali

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Test Results ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

The Mean ◽

Convenience Sampling ◽

Quick Dash

Aim: To find out correlation between heavy school bags and upper limb disabilities among school going children. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey, using non-probability convenience sampling, was conducted on 396 students of 11 to 15 years after ethical approval in 6 months. Height (in cm) and weight (in Kg) were noted and BMI was calculated. Students with the normal BMI were included in the study. Weigh of the students were recorded with their shoes off while the weight of the bags was calculated with all the stationary included. Quick DASH scale score was calculated and correlated with the weight of the bag by applying Chi-Square test. Results: The mean age of the participants was13.49±1.12 years. The mean weight of the school bag was 6.10±2.1Kgs while the students were carrying more than one-quarter of their body weight. The disability calculated from the quick DASH scale was as high as 40%. Chi-square showed a significant correlation between the upper limb disabilities and the weight of the bag. Conclusion: The study showed that there is a significant correlation that the use of heavy school bags can cause upper limb disabilities in children. Keywords: Heavy School Bags, Upper Limb Disabilities, Children, Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand

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Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury in Professional Orchestral Musicians in Australia

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2012.4034 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 181-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

Bronwen Ackermann ◽

Tim Driscoll ◽

Dianna T Kenny

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

Experienced Pain ◽

And Performance ◽

Orchestral Musicians ◽

The Right

This paper reports on the major findings from the questionnaire component of a cross-sectional survey of the musicians in Australia’s eight fulltime professional symphonic and pit orchestras, focusing on performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). METHODS: All musician members of the orchestras participating in this project were invited to complete a self-report survey. The overall response rate was about 70% (n = 377). In addition to general health and experience questions, respondents who reported a current or previous PRMD were asked to report on a range of associated factors. RESULTS: Of the participants, 84% had experienced pain or injuries that had interfered either with playing their instrument or participating in normal orchestral rehearsals and performances. Fifty percent reported having such pain or injury at the time of the survey, mostly with disorders perceived by the musicians to be work-related. Twenty-eight percent had taken at least 1 day off from work for such pain in the previous 18 months. The most common broad sites affected were the trunk (primarily the back), the right upper limb and neck, the left upper limb and neck, and the neck alone, but the relative proportions varied by instrument. Of those musicians who reported at least one episode of pain or injury in the past, less than 50% reported that they had completely recovered. The most commonly cited performance-related factors that had contributed to injury or pain all related to training and playing load (including practice and performance). CONCLUSION: This study provides strong evidence that PRMDs are a common complaint in professional orchestral musicians and identifies a range of factors suggested as contributing to the occurrence or persistence of these disorders.

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