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Biomedical subjects

M Hagberg

Publications and source records attributed to M Hagberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The influence on seeking care because of neck and shoulder disorders from work-related exposures.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of work-related physical and psychosocial factors on seeking care for neck or shoulder disorders among men and women in a general working population. The study population comprised gainfully employed (>17 hours per week) men and women in the municipality of Norrtälje, altogether 392 cases and 1,511 controls. Cases were defined as persons seeking care because of neck or shoulder disorders by any caregiver in the region. The study began in 1994 and continued to 1997. We assessed physical and psychosocial exposures by questionnaires and interviews. The pattern of seeking care for neck or shoulder disorders differed between men and women. Among men, work with vibrating tools [relative risk (RR) = 1.6], not having a fixed salary (RR = 1.9), and low demands in relation to competence (RR = 1.5) were the strongest risk indicators obtained in analyses stratified for age and previous symptoms. Among women, repetitive hand or finger movements (RR = 1.6), constrained sitting (RR = 1.6), not having a fixed salary (RR = 2.0), and solitary work (RR = 1.8) were the strongest risk indicators. A large proportion of the general population was exposed to several of these moderately harmful conditions, and their concomitant effect may explain the high incidence of neck and shoulder disorders in the general working population.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

To what extent do current and past physical and psychosocial occupational factors explain care-seeking for low back pain in a working population? Results from the Musculoskeletal Intervention Center-Norrtälje Study.

STUDY DESIGN: A population-based case referent study. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether current and past physical and psychosocial occupational factors are associated with care-seeking for low back pain in working men and women. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The importance of physical and psychosocial workloads as causal factors of low back pain has mostly been investigated in special occupational groups and with a cross-sectional design, which makes generalizability and interpretations more difficult. METHODS: The study comprised 2118 working men and women 20 to 59 years old (695 cases, and 1423 referents). Cases were defined as persons seeking care by any caregiver for low back pain. The exposure assessments were made through questionnaires and interviews about current and past physical and psychosocial loads during work and leisure time. RESULTS: In a logistic regression analysis, physical load from forward bending in men (RR = 1.8) and high physical load, in general, in women (RR = 2.0) showed increased relative risks. Psychosocial factors alone seemed to be of less importance in women, but "poor job satisfaction" and "mostly routine work without possibilities of learning" increased the risk in men. Combined current and past exposures further increased the risks. A combination of high physical and psychosocial loads increased the risk substantially, but few were exposed to such loads. Adjustment for lifestyle and other loads outside work did not change the results. CONCLUSION: Current and past physical and psychosocial occupational factors, both separately and combined, seem to be gender-specific, and to have a moderate impact on care-seeking for low back pain in a general working population.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

An observation instrument for assessment of work technique in patient transfer tasks.

The aim of the study was to construct an observation instrument for description and assessment of nursing personnel's work technique in patient transfer tasks with regard to musculoskeletal health and safety, and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the instrument. The instrument consists of 24 items arranged in three phases of a transfer: the preparation phase, the starting position and the actual performance. Observations are made from video recordings. A detailed description of the individual's work technique, including actions taken to prepare the transfer, the interaction with the patient and any assistant co-worker, and the motor performance of the nurse, is provided. An attempt was made to quantify the assessments, by calculating an overall score of the work technique with regard to the level of musculoskeletal hazard and safety. The validity and reliability of the instrument were evaluated on 35 video-recorded patient transfers from hospital wards. The validity and reliability were mostly satisfactory, both when evaluating the agreements between the observations of each item (i.e. kappa values > 0.40), and when evaluating the agreements between the overall scores (i.e. intraclass correlation coefficients 0.71-0.90). Further improvements to enhance the agreements are suggested.

Back Injuries↗
PubMed2000

Rehabilitation of neck-shoulder pain in women industrial workers: a randomized trial comparing isometric shoulder endurance training with isometric shoulder strength training.

OBJECTIVES: To study whether isometric shoulder endurance was more advantageous than isometric shoulder strength training in reducing pain and perceived exertion and to increase shoulder function through improved muscle endurance and strength. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: Three occupational health care centers. PARTICIPANTS: Women industrial workers with nonspecific neck-shoulder pain. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis was "cervicobrachial syndrome" (M53.1). Thirty-eight patients completed the isometric shoulder endurance training and 31 patients completed the isometric shoulder strength training. INTERVENTION: Twelve weeks of training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported pain and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), arm motion performance test, shoulder muscle strength, shoulder muscle endurance, and shoulder functional tests, as well as follow-up after supervised training had ended. RESULTS: The isometric shoulder strength training resulted in an almost one-scale step decrease in RPE at work and a 5% to 15% improvement of arm motion performance compared with the endurance training. The isometric shoulder strength training more effectively improved left side shoulder abduction strength (p < .026), but no major differences were found for the other strength measurements. The isometric shoulder endurance training was not more successful than the strength training in the endurance test (p .51 to .81). CONCLUSIONS: Physical training programs for neck-shoulder pain may include isometric shoulder muscular strength exercise in addition to isometric shoulder endurance training, rather than endurance training only.

Exercise Therapy↗
PubMed2000

Gender differences in musculoskeletal health of computer and mouse users in the Swedish workforce.

The objectives of the study were to explore the musculoskeletal health of computer users in the Swedish workforce with regard to gender and psychosocial factors, and to describe gender differences between the occupational groups. A subset was chosen from a large survey of 12,462 individuals representing the workforce of Sweden, performed by Statistics Sweden. Included in the subset were 2044 subjects who worked for at least half their working hours with personal computers, or an equivalent device, and also used a computer mouse. All occupational groups had prevalence ratios (women/men) > 1. When using regression models, the variables 'learn and develop' and 'involved in planning your work' were health factors, and 'too much to do' was a risk factor for upper body symptoms for both women and men. For women 'PC duration 100' was a risk factor and 'support from superiors' was a health factor. Age seemed to be a stronger risk factor for men than for women.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Risk indicators for reported over-exertion back injuries among female nursing personnel.

We conducted a case-referent study to identify and quantify work-related and non-work-related risk indicators for reported over-exertion back injuries among nursing personnel. The source population was all nursing personnel employed in the Stockholm County hospitals during a 32-month period. The 240 cases and 614 referents completed questionnaires about occupation, type of clinic, working hours, shift work, patient transfers, perceived exertion, back pain, prior back injury, job strain, body mass index (BMI), smoking, immigrant status, physical training, and self-rated fitness. The highest relative risks (RR) were observed for work-related factors: working at an orthopedic clinic (RR = 5.2; 95% CI = 2.7-10.2), > or =1 patient transfer/shift (RR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.6-4.5), and working full-time (RR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.6-3.6). Training in the use of transfer devices, and regular use of transfer devices, reduced the relative risk from patient transfer. Among the non-work-related factors, only body mass index > or =25 kg/m2 and immigrant status was associated with a slight increase in relative risk.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2000

Differences between work methods and gender in computer mouse use.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether gender or different methods of operating a computer mouse have an effect on performance and musculoskeletal load in the use of a computer mouse. METHODS: Thirty experienced computer mouse users, 15 men and 15 women, participated in the study. Electromyography (right first dorsal interossei, right extensor digitorum and right and left trapezius), a force-sensing mouse, and subjective ratings were used to register muscular load. An electrogoniometer was used to register the wrist movements. The subjects worked with 3 different methods, their own, a wrist-based method and an arm-based method. Gender comparisons were made when the subjects used their own method. RESULTS: The women worked with greater extension and range of motion and tended to work with a greater ulnar deviation of the wrist. They also applied higher forces to the mouse when expressed as a percentage of a maximum voluntary contraction and had higher muscular activity in the right extensor digitorum. When using the arm-based method, the subjects worked with greater wrist extension, had higher muscular activity in the right and left trapezius muscles, and had the highest ratings of perceived exertion in the neck and shoulder. The wrist-based method resulted in higher forces being applied to the sides of the mouse and the highest ratings of perceived exertion in the wrist and hand-fingers. CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences were found for musculoskeletal load, and for most of the measured variables the women worked with higher loads than the men. The work method affected performance and musculoskeletal load. Finally, subjective measures appeared to have some utility in characterizing muscular load.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Measuring and characterizing force exposures during computer mouse use.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a sampling strategy for characterizing the finger force exposures associated with computer mouse use. METHODS: Mouse forces were measured from 16 subjects (8 men, 8 women), on 3 separate days, at their actual workstations while they performed (i) their regular work, (ii) a battery of standardized tasks, and (iii) simulated mouse use. RESULTS: The forces applied to the mouse did not vary between hours or days. During regular work, the mouse was used 78.0 (SD 40.7) times per hour, accounting for 23.7 (SD 9.5)% of the worktime. The mean forces applied to the sides and button of the mouse were low, averaging 0.6 % (0.35 N) and 0.8 % (0.43 N) of the maximal voluntary contraction, respectively. The forces applied to the mouse during the standardized tasks differed from the regular work forces; however, there were moderate-to-strong correlations between the 2 measures. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to performing exposure assessment studies, the 3 major findings were (i) mouse force measurements should be made while subjects perform their actual work in order to characterize the absolute applied force accurately, (ii) the forces applied to the mouse during the performance of a short battery of standardized tasks can be used to characterize relative exposure and identify computer operators or work situations for which higher forces are applied to the mouse, and (iii) subjects cannot accurately simulate mouse forces.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Predictive aspects of the abduction external rotation test among male industrial and office workers.

BACKGROUND: Nerve compression of the brachial plexus can be provoked by the Abduction External Rotation (AER) test where the arms are held in a "hands-up" position. METHODS: The AER test was conducted among 137 male industrial and office workers at baseline and after 5 years follow-up, together with a medical examination/history and exposure analysis. Nerve conduction measurements in the wrist regions were also made. RESULTS: The cumulated incidence of neurological signs during the AER test, was estimated to be 2/100 person-years. Factors related to work-conditions, constitution, disease, and neck trauma were associated with AER signs. Subjects with AER signs exhibited a slowing of the nerve conduction velocities in the wrist region. The AER test predicted future neck and upper extremity symptoms and signs of nerve compression. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study gave support to the "double or multiple crush" theory of nerve compression. Prevention, evaluation, and management of neck and upper extremity nerve compression diseases should, therefore, attend to all probable locations of such compression, even when a specific location is in focus. The AER test can be a supplementary tool in such work, both in epidemiological and occupational health settings.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Exposure-response relationship between hand-arm vibration and vibrotactile perception sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study were to examine whether occupational use of vibrating hand-held tools was associated with an impaired vibrotactile perception, whether any exposure-response relationship exists, and whether the different populations of mechano-receptive afferent units are equally affected. METHODS: Vibrotactile perception thresholds have been measured at seven frequencies (8-500 Hz) and evaluated among 125 vibration-exposed and 45 non-exposed male employees in a heavy engineering production workshop. Vibration exposure measurements were assessed on tools in accordance with ISO 5349. Vibrotactile perception thresholds have been individually graded in stages and placed in relation to individual vibration exposure. RESULTS: The outcome did not reveal a clear relationship between vibration exposure and reduced vibrotactile sensitivity on an individual basis. There was a clear tendency on a group basis towards elevated thresholds when the study population was divided into three exposure categories. A fourfold increase in relative risk of reduced vibrotactile sensitivity for test frequencies above 40 Hz was observed between the highest exposure category compared to the non-exposed. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that reduced tactile sensitivity is related to the degree of vibration exposure but it is not at present possible to delineate an exposure-response relationship.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A comparative study of physical work load in Japanese and Swedish nursery school teachers.

Comparisons were made of general and local physical work loads between two groups of 58 Japanese and 15 Swedish nursery school teachers. Heart rate, number of steps, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), frequency and time expended with respect to trunk flexion, sitting/kneeling, and lifting/carrying loads of 1 kg or more were monitored during working hours. The average percentage heart rate increase in the maximal heart rate range was lower in the Japanese than in the Swedish teachers. However, all parameters of local physical work load indicating musculoskeletal stress were higher in the Japanese than in the Swedish teachers. The RPE was slightly higher in the Japanese than in the Swedish teachers. These features of general and local work load in the Japanese teachers were typically observed among the teachers in charge of very young children (0-2 years). The Japanese teachers in charge of children aged 3-5 years, on the other hand, had similar levels of both general and local work load as the Swedish teachers in charge of classes comprising children of various ages (1-5 years). The physical work load measured in the present study was not sufficient to explain the difference in the magnitude of musculoskeletal problems for nursery school teachers in the two countries, and other factors should now be examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Method and performance: two elements of work technique.

In the present study work technique was viewed in two basic elements: the method of carrying out a work task and the individual performance of the work task. The aim was to investigate how eight selected kinematic, kinetic, electromyographic and psychophysical variables can characterize the two elements of work technique. Twelve female subjects lifted a box using two methods, back and leg lifts, and two different simulated performances, fast and slow lifts. Motions, ground reaction forces, muscle activity in the lower back and perceived exertion were measured. A dynamic biomechanical model was applied. The trunk angular displacement and velocity clearly separated the lift methods. The trunk angular velocities and accelerations, the L5/S1 moments and the EMG variables were closely related to the performances. The work technique varied between the subjects to a greater extent than the individual variability over repetitions of a lift task. A larger inter-individual variability for kinematic variables was mostly shown in leg lifts compared with back lifts. The EMG patterns displayed differences in muscle activation that were not revealed by the kinematic or kinetic patterns. The results imply that separate variables should be used for descriptions of work methods and task performances; for method descriptions ranges of motion seem to be appropriate, for performance descriptions displacement time derivatives and load variables seem to be more useful. Moreover, the inter-individual differences suggest that work technique should be evaluated on an individual level.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Consensus criteria for the classification of carpal tunnel syndrome in epidemiologic studies.

Criteria for the classification of carpal tunnel syndrome for use in epidemiologic studies were developed by means of a consensus process. Twelve medical researchers with experience in conducting epidemiologic studies of carpal tunnel syndrome participated in the process. The group reached agreement on several conceptual issues. First, there is no perfect gold standard for carpal tunnel syndrome. The combination of electrodiagnostic study findings and symptom characteristics will provide the most accurate information for classification of carpal tunnel syndrome. Second, use of only electrodiagnostic study findings is not recommended. Finally, in the absence of electrodiagnostic studies, specific combinations of symptom characteristics and physical examination findings may be useful in some settings but are likely to result in greater misclassification of disease status.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

Computer mouse position as a determinant of posture, muscular load and perceived exertion.

OBJECTIVES: This study concerned the influence of 6 positions of the computer mouse on the work table on posture, muscular load, and perceived exertion during text editing. METHODS: An optoelectronic 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used to register the postures of 10 men and 10 women using video display units. Muscular load was also registered (with electromyography), as was perceived exertion (with rating scales). RESULTS: A neutral posture with a relaxed and supported arm showed the least perceived exertion, and the electromyographic results showed low activity in both trapezius muscles in this position. Short operators (all women) showed a numerically higher activity in the 4 examined muscles than the tall operators (all men, except 1). This finding could be related to lower muscle force among women and to anthropometric differences, which also influence biomechanic load moments. Narrow-shouldered operators (8 women and 1 man) and short operators worked with larger outward rotation and abduction of the shoulder in a position of the mouse lateral to the keyboard than the broad-shouldered (7 men and 2 women) and tall operators did. Arm support markedly reduced muscle load in the neck-shoulder region among the operators. CONCLUSIONS: The operators using video display units in this study preferred to use the mouse on a table in a close to relaxed, neutral posture of the arm in combination with arm support. Short and narrow-shouldered operators worked in more strenuous postures of the arm when the mouse was located lateral to the keyboard.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The accident process preceding overexertion back injuries in nursing personnel. PROSA study group.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective dynamic-population-based study investigated factors involved in the accident process preceding overexertion back injuries among nursing personnel. METHODS: The study covered all reported occupational overexertion back injuries due to accidents among of the approximately 24 500 nurses in the Stockholm County hospitals during 1 year. It was assumed that several factors interact in the accident process. Detailed information was obtained for each injury by interviews with the injured nurse and head nurse. Risks in the physical environment were identified using an ergonomic checklist. RESULTS: During the study 136 overexertion back injuries were reported. Of the 130 nurses participating in the study, 125 had been injured in connection with patient work. Cluster analysis yielded 6 clusters and their pattern of contributing factors. The most frequent injury occurred during patient transfer in the bed or to or from the bed, without the use of transfer devices, when the patient suddenly lost his or her balance or resisted during the transfer and the nurse had to make a sudden movement. However, there were physical conditions, such as shortcomings in the physical work environment or a lack of a transfer device, that compelled the nurses to perform the tasks under unsafe conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The clusters showed a complexity of different kinds of accidents and indicated that the measures for preventing accidents, or for blocking an accident process once started, have to be of different kinds and placed at several different levels in the organization of a workplace.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1998

Work-related low-back problems in nursing.

This scientific literature review focuses on the relation between nursing work and low-back problems. Its aim was to estimate the risk of physical, psychosocial, and work organizational exposure factors that may lead to low-back problems. In addition this paper reviews and evaluates reported ergonomic intervention, with the object of decreasing the prevalence and incidence of low-back problems among nurses. A considerable number of studies of nursing staff has shown the connection between lifts and transfers of patients on one hand and low-back problems on the other. Factors in nursing work that may be significant in this connection are staff density and work satisfaction. In this review the single individual factor that was indisputably related to low-back problems was "history of back problems". Prevention programs do not show unequivocally positive results. There is a great need to carry out prospective studies with preventive programs.

Adult↗