Biomedical subjects

Karen Jacobs

Publications and source records attributed to Karen Jacobs.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

The nature of working in the United States: an occupational therapy perspective.

Although working is considered by occupational therapy practitioners to be an important life role, there is very little information about the nature of working in the occupational therapy literature. This article reviews the construct of working in three ways: 1) The history of working and how it has shaped the modern beliefs about working; 2) The nature of working; and 3) The health promoting attributes of working. The paper will also discuss research done on how working is viewed by individuals with disabilities and will touch on some of the implications of the cultural bias in the workplace toward workers with disabilities. Through this increased knowledge of the nature of working, occupational therapy practitioners and other vocational rehabilitation professionals will be better equipped to break down the subtle cultural barriers, and help individuals with disabilities to participate in working.

Civil Rights↗

PubMed2002

The association between children's computer use and musculoskeletal discomfort.

UNLABELLED: As American children spend more time working at computers, they may be putting themselves at risk for musculoskeletal disorders and other conditions that can result from overuse. There is little research that describes the home computer use of American middle school children or that describes the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort in this population. This study provides a general description of the computer set-up and home use of 152 6th grade children and looks at the association between overall musculoskeletal discomfort and various ergonomic variables. METHOD: 152 6th grade children completed the Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and a survey of home computer use. RESULTS: More than half of the children reported some musculoskeletal discomfort within the last year. This pain could be made worse by computer use. Students reported that they had three computers in their house, and that they generally did not have furniture specifically designed for computer use. There was a significant association between the number of hours on the computer and overall musculoskeletal discomfort (r = 0.19, p = 0.05). The odds ratios between having furniture designed for the computer and touch typing and musculoskeletal discomfort were borderline significant, but suggested that students without proper furniture were more likely to have musculoskeletal discomfort (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.94-3.84) and that those who could touch type were less likely to have musculoskeletal discomfort (OR = 0.54, 95%, CI = 0.26-1.10), OR). CONCLUSION: American children are reporting moderate amounts of musculoskeletal discomfort and this discomfort can be associated with computer use. Risk factors associated with computer use and discomforts are similar to those reported in the adult literature. Further study is necessary to understand the similarities and differences between adult and children computer use and how to protect both from developing musculoskeletal discomfort.

Child↗

PubMed2002

The effectiveness of a home-based ergonomics intervention on the proper use of computers by middle school children.

A study was conducted in the homes of middle school children (average age = 12.7 years, SD = 0.52 years) to determine if an educational intervention would increase both the children's and their parents' knowledge of ergonomically correct setup of a computer workstation and computer use. Six children and their parents (n = 6) participated in this study. The study consisted of two data collection sessions over a two-week period. Results suggest a significant (p < 0.05) increase in knowledge of computer use and workstation setup for both parents and children, however, no significant changes in posture were noted between sessions. It was concluded that education is an effective method to increase knowledge of ergonomics in both middle school children and their parents but more research is indicated to understand the linkage between ergonomic understanding and durable accomodations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The effect of education on backpack wearing and posture in a middle school population.

PURPOSE: The effect of education on proper wearing of a backpack was studied to determine whether or not a middle school population would improve posture during load carriage by maintaining a more natural posture and to determine if schoolchildren would comply with proper backpack wearing. METHOD: 17 middle school children with a mean age of 12.7 years were randomized into control and intervention groups. Participants were videotaped in four conditions from an anterior view and from a lateral view. Members of both groups participated in Sessions A and C, which consisted of videotaping of the four conditions. Intervention members additionally participated in Session B, consisting of education on how to wear a backpack properly. All participants were interviewed concerning their participation and its effect on how they wore their backpack. Video footage was analyzed to calculate the change in skeletal angles as a result of different methods of load carriage. Interview data was coded and analyzed. RESULTS: No quantitative significance was found between control and intervention groups in regards to education on proper backpack wearing improving posture. Interviews revealed that intervention group members benefited from the education on proper wearing of a backpack. 87.5% of the intervention group members proceeded to continue wearing the backpack properly after the education intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Education regarding proper wearing of a backpack may impact the middle school aged child by improving quality of life as noted through decrease in reports of musculoskeletal pain by participants.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Efficacy of body mechanics education on posture while computing in middle school children.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this pilot study were to examine the working position of middle school children during their media/technology class, test student's knowledge of healthy computing habits, and evaluate the efficacy of two educational interventions compared to a control group. METHOD: A multi-group pre-test/post-test design was used. 19 students (mean age 11.6) participated in the study during their media/technology class. Students' postures while computing were evaluated on-site. Additionally five students were video recorded while they used the classroom computers so that on-site observations could be compared to video recorded data. All participants were given a written pre-test prior to educational interventions. The 12-minute educational intervention session focused on healthy computing habits, the importance of stretching, and group performance of specific upper extremity stretches. Additional education regarding overall postural health including good body mechanics was provided to one intervention group. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that a twelve-minute educational intervention significantly improved participants' knowledge of healthy computing habits as measured by written pre-tests and post-tests. Participants who received additional education on overall postural health and body mechanics demonstrated the largest rate of improvement in positioning while computing. No statistical difference between intervention groups was noted on post-test scores, which attempted to measure long-term learning of healthy computing habits. CONCLUSION: Although more research in this area is warranted, it appears that education regarding correct positioning at computer workstations combined with instructing students on the importance of overall healthy posture may foster correct positioning while students use computers at school.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The effectiveness of ergonomic intervention in the classroom.

OBJECTIVE: To see if an in-service on proper body mechanics and ergonomics for computer workstation usage can increase a student's knowledge regarding these areas. STUDY DESIGN: This was a quasi-experimental design using a questionnaire. Subjects included seventy-three male and forty-four female sixth-grade students enrolled in a word processing class at a New York Middle School. A non-standardized demographic and ergonomic based questionnaire was administered before and after an in-service. An environmental checklist was used to formulate a percentage of ergonomically correct computer workstations. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between pre and post-test scores, indicating that learning took place. Pre-test scores suggest that there exists a need for ergonomic education in classrooms. Results from an environmental checklist support the need for revision of computer workstations in classrooms. CONCLUSION: Ergonomic education is one way to help students to reduce their risks of developing musculoskeletal injury in a classroom environment that impedes correct positioning.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The gap between exposure and implementation of computer workstation ergonomics in the workplace.

The population of people using computers is increasing in home, school and work environments [20,21]. Research suggests that more computer usage may lead to increased incidence of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder (UECTD) and other work related musculoskeletal injuries [8]. Yet, proper computer workstation ergonomics training is not readily available. This pilot study attempts to better understand the gap between ergonomic interventions and the initiation of work-practice change. The pilot study used self-report through an anonymous Internet survey to explore university faculty and staff training in computer workstation ergonomics, assess UECTD and other computer-use related symptoms, and learn about the respondents' success implementing their knowledge of computer workstation ergonomics. The 55 respondents ranged in age from 21 to 65, and spent an average of 5.3 hours at the computer during a typical workday. Over 70% of respondents experienced symptoms associated with excessive computer use. Although 60% of respondents had exposure to computer workstation ergonomics information, less than 10% reported implementing their knowledge of computer workstation ergonomics in their tasks. This paper looks at organizational and individual issues preventing the implementation of computer workstation ergonomics in the workplace. The Transtheoretical Model for Health Behavior Change [25,27] is used to further evaluate effectiveness of ergonomic interventions. Recommendations for interventions and future evaluations are presented.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The sense-of-coherence and the capability of performing daily occupations in persons with chronic pain.

OBJECTIVES: It may be helpful for occupational therapists who promote enabling occupations among persons with chronic pain, to understand the relationship between the persons feelings of meaningfulness, comprehensibility and manageability in life and their capability to perform daily occupations. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe and investigate how these concepts of person and occupational performance of 27 daily occupations in terms of "effort", "inconvenience", "avoidance", "give up", "frequency" and "satisfaction" were related to each other. DESIGN: A prospective correlative study was conducted. METHOD: A consecutive series of eighty-four patients with chronic pain completed a structured interview and responded to the self-assessment instruments Sense-of-Coherence Scale (SOC-13) and Capability of Performing Daily Occupations (CPDO). RESULTS: Weak but significant correlation (p < 0.05) were found between the SOC-13 sub-scale "manageability" and the specific occupations "physical exercise / training" (r = - 0.24), "climb stairs" (r = - 0.27) "social activity" (r= - 0.25) and "wash the laundry" (r = - 0.30), as well as between the SOC-13 sub-scale "meaningfulness" and the CPDO occupations "grocery shopping" (r = -0.22), "performing meals" (r = - 0.24), and "wash the laundry" (r = - 0.31) and the CPDO question "frequency of performing occupations" r = -0.22). The participants' mean value (mean = 58) of SOC-13 was below the other populations represented in a literature review. The mean values for CPDO (3.4-4.3) (optimal score is zero) showed that the participants perceived themselves having activity limitations concerning performance of daily occupations, and the performance area of work productive activities were experienced as more disabling. The degree to which the participants perceived themselves having a strong sense of coherence or being disabled by pain varied greatly both for the results of SOC-13 ( range 32-90 points) and CPDO (range 1.1-7.8 points). CONCLUSION: The expected significant relationship between a person's sense of coherence and the performance of daily occupations was partly verified with weak significant correlations. In clinical practice the assessment instruments are suggested to be of value in rehabilitation clinics for occupational therapists who work with people with chronic pain.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

A criterion-referenced multidimensional job-related model prediction capability to perform occupations among persons with chronic pain.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study was an exploration of the construct of the criterion-referenced multidimensional job-related model (CMVA) aimed for predicting patients' with chronic pain capability to perform occupations. METHODS: The study samples were 1) participants (n=84) who at present were not performing employed work (median sick-listing period 12 months) because of chronic pain and 2) participants (n = 104) who at present were performing employed work at least 20 hours of a workweek. The participants had experiences of 40 different occupations classified into five of the occupational categories of Jist's Enhanced Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Data were collected through ten assessment instruments and a structured interview, comprising 54 variables and 465 items. Data were analyzed using multiple regression with forward entering of variables. RESULTS: The CMVA model (Adjusted R^2 0.777, F (4, 183) = 164.067; p<0.001) was able to explain 78% of the variance. CMVA contained the aspects; "the work demands-variable, the person-variable of work life values, the environment-variable of social support and the two occupational performances-variables; self-perceived capability to perform work tasks/the simulated work tasks". CONCLUSIONS: The construct of CMVA was robust suggesting that among persons with chronic pain, the predictors focusing on their capability to perform occupations are of great importance.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Multidimensional aspects of work capability.

OBJECTIVE: Comparisons of the results of a multidimensional criterion-referenced vocational assessment (CMVA) were performed between a group of patients with chronic pain (group P; n = 86) and individuals working (group W; n = 106). The participants had experience of five job categories. METHODS: The participants' capability to work was assessed from the aspects of personal factors, background data, present work experience, personal and work environmental factors probably influencing work capacity and capacity to perform occupations. Eleven instruments comprising 407 items were used. RESULTS: The results of the comparisons suggest that group P participants' work capacity was significant decreased by how they perceived their present work experience (X^2; p < 0.001), self-assessed or observed capability to perform daily and work occupations (t; p < 0.000). Among the factors which probably influenced their work capability, group P participants significantly (t; p < 0.05) more often used confrontive, emotive, palliative and covert coping strategies and had attained work and other life values to a less extent. Moreover, group P participants perceived that they had had a significant (t; p < 0.000) higher degree of psychosocial demands and more strain incurred from the psychosocial work environment.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

From the Editor.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

A study of well-being among a population of Swedish workers using a job-related criterion-referenced multidimensional vocational assessment.

OBJECTIVES: This study involved Swedish workers (n = 106) who perform jobs categorized into four occupational groups from Jist's Enhanced Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) (Technical, Clerical, Service and Miscellaneous occupations) [1]. The workers capacity for work were investigated according to the Criterion Referenced Multidimensional Vocational Assessment (CMVA) comprising four aspects (described below), which were assessed in 14 different ways using 465 items. METHOD: The participants were interviewed [2], observed during performance of simulated work tasks [3], and answered mailed questionnaires [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. The collected data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and the tests of Cronbach's alpha coefficient, ANOVA, Chi-square, linear regression and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The participants' work contained different level of occupationally substantive complexity showing that the work demands were different for the four work groups. For some of the participants ill-health were detected; The workers' work skills, e.g., the demands (VALPAR work samples) [3] the jobs required of the worker was higher than 14 of the workers' capacity for work. It was remarkable that many of the workers (34%) estimated themselves in need for rehabilitative measures (Functional Status Questionnaire) [12,13]. The results suggested that there was a negative discrepancy of what the workers' valued and strived for in connection to what they had attained in their work-lives [15,16]. The psychosocial work environment influenced the worker both positively and negatively. Participants (about 17%) who are performing their usual work for at least 20 hours a week had risks for ill-health [6]. In several components of CMVA there were significant differences between male and female workers, probably showing that the female workers had a greater burden to perform all the myriad of daily occupations (Self-Assessed Capabilities to Perform Daily Occupations) [7] including salaried work.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

The effect of Video Display Terminal (VDT) mouse use on muscle contractions in the neck and forearm.

This study used surface electromyography (EMG) to examine the percent of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) of the upper trapezius, the flexors of the wrist/fingers and extensors of the wrist/fingers during Video Display Terminal (VDT) mouse use with the mouse positioned either next to the computer or on a lapdesk. Thirty participants, between the ages of 18 and 40, used a VDT mouse to follow a prescribed pattern for three trials at each location. Although there was a trend towards the lapdesk location producing lower %MVC than the computer location for the trapezius and wrist/finger flexors (lapdesk: trapezius M 4.71%, wrist/finger flexors M 3.53%; computer: trapezius M 5.74%, wrist/finger flexors M 3.94%) a two way ANOVA controlling for sequence and order found no significant difference between the means. There was no trend for the effects of location for the wrist/finger extensors. These results suggest that changing the position of the mouse may not significantly reduce muscle contractions.

Journal Article↗