Prevalence of Self-Reported Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Software Employees in Hyderabad, India

Background: This study has been carried out to analyze the prevalence of self-reported work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among software professionals and to utilize the findings to design an effective preventive interventional program for WRMSDs. Subjects & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive data analysis was done among 665 software employees both male and female from various companies in Q city Tech Park, Hyderabad. Data collected with “Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire” (CMDQ). Results: A total of 640 subjects were eligible for this study. Prevalence of WRMSDs to be 67%. The most common sites of reported symptoms are neck (65.0%), upper back (56.4%), lower back (62.6%), right shoulder (41.4%), left shoulder (35.4%) and right thigh (41.4%). Women were more likely to report symptoms in neck, lower back and both shoulder region than men (p<0.05). Discomforts in neck, lower back and right shoulder are greatly shown impact on work performance. Conclusion: WRMSDs are highly prevalent is software professionals and women at more risk than men. These findings indicate the need for more attention to WRMSDs and design of effective preventive strategies. Keywords: musculoskeletal pain, Prevalence, software professionals, work related musculoskeletal disorders.

Investigation of Screen Time Inclination and the Accompanying Visual and Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Young Smartphone Users

The purpose of this study is to investigate the screen time inclination and its accompanying visual and musculoskeletal discomfort in young smartphone users. Thirty-one smartphone users aged between 20 - 30 years old were recruited through convenient sampling. The screen time patterns were recorded daily for a week and documented using Action Dash on Google Play Store according to the times of the day (morning, afternoon evening and night). Accompanying visual and musculoskeletal symptoms were examined through a self-reporting questionnaire survey. The questions used in the questionnaire were adapted and modified from the Asthenopia Questionnaire and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results showed that young smartphone users spent approximately 30 % of their time on screen and were relatively similar for different times of the day. Daily screen time was approximately 7.36 ± 1.74 h. Most users engaged in WhatsApp (74 %), followed by YouTube (68 %), Instagram (65 %) and Twitter (39 %). Tired eyes were reported by all smartphone users. A positive correlation was only found between weekly screen time and eye strain (p < 0.05). All musculoskeletal symptoms were self-reported by young smartphone users in our study but anatomical locations varied in percentages. Neck pain was the most significant musculoskeletal symptom associated with screen time (OR = 4.80, 95 % CI: 0.95 - 24.14, p < 0.05). Every smartphone user reported at least 1 type of visual symptom. All smartphone users reported tired eyes. In conclusion, our results showed that smartphone users spent one third of their time daily on-screen and mostly on social media. Tired eyes and neck pain were the most common accompanying symptoms. Visuo-skeletal symptoms are common among young and healthy smartphone users. Our findings advocate that future strategic plans to address digital related health problems from the perspective of health education, promotion and protection should be inclusive of youth. HIGHLIGHTS Excessive screen time is a public health concern Adverse health implications have been linked to excessive electronic usage Smartphone users spend one-third of their time daily on-screen and mostly on social media Visuo-skeletal symptoms are common among young and healthy smartphone users Tired eyes and neck pain are the most common accompanying symptoms GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Modeling Occupational Fingernail Onycholysis Disorders in the Population of US Astronauts Who Have Engaged in Extravehicular Activity

Objectives Spacesuits are designed to be reliable personal spacecraft that preserve the life and well-being of the astronaut from the extremes of space. However, materials, operating pressures, and suit design requirements often result in a risk of musculoskeletal discomfort and injury to various areas of the body. In particular, this investigation looked at fingernails and their risk of developing onycholysis. Methods An onycholysis literature review was followed by a retrospective analysis of injury characteristics, astronaut suited training and spaceflight events, hand anthropometry, glove sizing, and astronaut demographics. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the likelihood of onycholysis occurrence by testing potential risk variables against the dataset compiled from the retrospective data mining. Results The duration of event exposure, type of glove used, distance (delta) between the fingertip and the tip of the glove, sex, and age were found to be significantly related to occurrence of onycholysis (whether protective or injurious). Conclusion An initial risk formula (model) for onycholysis was developed as a result of this investigation. In addition to validation through a future study, further improvement to this onycholysis equation and spacesuit discomfort and injury in general can be aided by future investigations that lead to better definition of the threshold between safe and risky exposure for each type of risk factor. Application This work described a potential method that can be used for EVA spacesuit glove onycholysis injury risk analysis for either iterative glove design or between glove comparisons, such as during a product downselect process.

Prevalence of Musculo-skeletal Discomfort and Level of Functional Limitations among Physiotherapists in Karachi City

Introduction: Musculoskeletal discomfort is one of the most prevalent muscular pain condition hindering normal activities reported by physical therapists and health care professionals generally engaged in handling and mobilizing patients. The study was conducted to find the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort and level of functional limitations in physiotherapists. Method: This research was questionnaire based cross sectional study conducted in Karachi city from January to April 2019.Data collection was completed from registered physical therapists employed in different institutions. Two questionnaires were filled by the physiotherapists. Questionnaire 01, including thirteen questions on functional activities of daily life which are potentially related to functional areas of Neck Disability Index (NDI). Questionnaire 02 was based on 1987 version of Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Results: Participation of 80 physical therapists in the study.75% was directly involved with patient handling and 25% were teachers. A total of 35% therapists reported 7 days symptoms prevalence with a higher prevalence in cervical (77.1%), lower back (68.6%) and upper back (51.4%).Similarly 65% workers showed previous 12 month symptoms with higher prevalence in neck (72.3%). Gender prevalence of 7days and 12 months was high in female therapist. Conclusion: It has been concluded that 12 month prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was 65%, whereas 7 days was 35% and level of functional limitation from activities was insignificant. Keywords: Epidemiology, musculoskeletal discomfort, Severity, Physical therapy,

Ability of ergonomic timeout to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort related to fluoroscopic endoscopy

Endoscopists performing fluoroscopy procedures often suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to persistent static muscle contraction and the load imposed by radiation personal protective equipment. We devised the “practical load-on-the-shoulders releasing technique” (PoRT), integrated it within the work-rest schedule, and investigated its ability to reduce muscular discomfort. The results showed that PoRT lowered discomfort, including by maintaining the head angle closer to the neutral position and keeping the trunk in a stable state, which together resulted in an ideal posture. As a simple, no-cost intervention based on an ergonomic approach, PoRT may contribute to reducing MSDs.

Analisis Perbaikan Postur Kerja dengan Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ) dan Metode Rapid Entire Body Assesment (REBA) Beban Fisik Pekerja Konstruksi (Studi Kasus: Pembangunan Jembatan Mlowo, Cs Nguter Sukoharjo)

Proyek konstruksi memiliki tekanan bagi para pekerja, sehingga memicu kelelahan, penyakit akibat kerja, sehingga menurunkan produktivitas. Pekerja melakukan penanganan material yang tidak tepat menggunakan Manual Material Handling, menyebabkan pekerja mengalami nyeri pada bagian tubuh. Otot para pekerja menerima beban statis terus-menerus dalam jangka waktu lama berpotensi mengakibatkan gangguan muskuloskeletal. Tujuan penelitian untuk menganalisis postur kerja para pekerja proyek konstruksi pembangunan Jembatan Mlowo, Cs Nguter Sukoharjo. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian eksperimental di lokasi proyek, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan kuesioner CMDQ dan metode REBA. Terdapat 7 aktivitas yang dianalisis dalam penelitian ini, sebab memiliki tingkat risiko tinggi dan dilakukan berulang, antara lain aktivitas penulangan, pemindahan baja tulangan, pengecoran (menahan bak penuang cor), pemasangan bagesting, pengecoran (mengalirkan cor), pemindahan girder, dan pemindahan las listrik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa semua aktivitas memerlukan proses perbaikan. Berdasarkan kuesioner CMDQ, bagian tubuh yang sering dirasakan nyeri oleh pekerja adalah lengan atas. Penilaian dengan REBA, penulangan skor 7 (perlu perbaikan), pemindahan baja tulangan skor 10 (harus segara perbaikan), pengecoran (menahan bak) skor 11 (saat ini dilakukan perbaikan), pemasangan bagesting skor 7 (perlu perbaikan), mengalirkan pengecoran skor 9 (segera perbaikan), pemindahan girder skor 12 (perbaikan saat ini), dan pemindahan las listrik skor 10 (segera perbaikan).

Korean Medicine Patient Registry of Postoperative Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders (KPOP-MD): A study protocol (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The frequency of patients undergoing musculoskeletal surgery has been increasing with the increase in average life expectancy of the population. An aging population with sustained musculoskeletal pain and disability is the main complaint of Korean medical institutions. Recently, Korean medicine clinicians have addressed the collection and analysis of the medical utilization pattern of patients with musculoskeletal discomfort after surgery, to identify the current demographics of patients and to provide empirical evidence for Korean medicine postoperative rehabilitation strategies as well as political decisions on the healthcare coverage of Korean medicine. OBJECTIVE Overall, the aims of Korean Medicine Patient Registry of Postoperative Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders (KPOP-MD) are to (1) explore the general characteristics of postoperative patients with musculoskeletal discomfort and (2) evaluate the overall improvement after performing various Korean medicine treatment regimens for musculoskeletal disorders, based on a process involving the collection of nationwide registry outcomes. METHODS KPOP-MD will collaborate with 17 traditional Korean medical institutions and register postoperative patients with musculoskeletal discomfort. A total of 150 patients who meet the eligibility criteria will be registered in the study. After registration, we will collect personal health information from each patient, such as general socio-demographics, surgical site discomfort, anthropometrics, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at each assessment. The primary endpoint will be a change in the numeric rating scale for pain at the surgical location. The additional evaluation variables will be a change in the site-specific patient-reported questionnaires, recovery status questionnaires, other discomfort assessments, and cost data. RESULTS not applicable CONCLUSIONS This is the first prospective, multicenter, patient-based registry of postoperative patients with musculoskeletal disorders in various traditional Korean medical institutions. The results of this registry will provide valuable information on the current status of postoperative patients who receive Korean medicine treatments and evidence for reasonable decision-making in the Korean medicine healthcare system in the future. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03842098.

Associations Among Home Indoor Environmental Quality Factors and Worker Health while Working from Home during COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 virus forced office workers to conduct their daily work activities from home over an extended period. Given this unique situation, an opportunity emerged to study the satisfaction of office workers with indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors of their houses where work activities took place and associate these factors with mental and physical health. We designed and administered a questionnaire that was open for 45 days during the COVID-19 pandemic and received valid data from 988 respondents. The results show that low satisfaction with natural lighting, glare and humidity predicted eye related symptoms, while low satisfaction with noise was a strong predictor of fatigue or tiredness, headaches or migraines, anxiety, and depression or sadness. Nose and throat related symptoms and skin related symptoms were only uniquely predicted by low satisfaction with humidity. Low satisfaction with glare uniquely predicted an increase in musculoskeletal discomfort. Symptoms related to mental stress, rumination or worry were predicted by low satisfaction with air quality and noise. Finally, low satisfaction with noise and indoor temperature predicted the prevalence of symptoms related to trouble concentrating, maintaining attention or focus. Workers with higher income were more satisfied with humidity, air quality and indoor temperature and had better overall mental health. Older individuals had increased satisfaction with natural lighting, humidity, air quality, noise, and indoor temperature. Findings from this study can inform future design practices that focus on hybrid home-work environments by highlighting the impact of IEQ factors on occupant well-being.