Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cumulative Trauma Disorders”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,603 records · Page 89Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Haptic force-feedback devices for the office computer: performance and musculoskeletal loading issues.

Pointing devices, essential input tools for the graphical user interface (GUI) of desktop computers, require precise motor control and dexterity to use. Haptic force-feedback devices provide the human operator with tactile cues, adding the sense of touch to existing visual and auditory interfaces. However, the performance enhancements, comfort, and possible musculoskeletal loading of using a force-feedback device in an office environment are unknown. Hypothesizing that the time to perform a task and the self-reported pain and discomfort of the task improve with the addition of force feedback, 26 people ranging in age from 22 to 44 years performed a point-and-click task 540 times with and without an attractive force field surrounding the desired target. The point-and-click movements were approximately 25% faster with the addition of force feedback (paired t-tests, p < 0.001). Perceived user discomfort and pain, as measured through a questionnaire, were also smaller with the addition of force feedback (p < 0.001). However, this difference decreased as additional distracting force fields were added to the task environment, simulating a more realistic work situation. These results suggest that for a given task, use of a force-feedback device improves performance, and potentially reduces musculoskeletal loading during mouse use. Actual or potential applications of this research include human-computer interface design, specifically that of the pointing device extensively used for the graphical user interface.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Activation force and travel effects on overexertion in repetitive key tapping.

Key switch design parameters, including make force, make travel, and over travel, were investigated for minimizing operator-exerted force while maximizing key-tapping speed. A mechanical apparatus was designed, constructed, and used for independently controlling key switch parameters and for directly measuring finger exertions during repetitive key tapping using strain gauge load cells. The task for the 25 participants involved using the index finger of the dominant hand to repeatedly depress a single key as rapidly as possible. Participants received visual and auditory feedback upon a successful keystroke. Peak force exerted decreased 24% and key-tapping rate increased 2% when over travel was distended from 0.0 to 3.0 mm. Although peak force exerted was not significantly affected by make point travel, key-tapping rate increased 2% when make point travel was reduced from 4.0 to 1.0 mm. These results indicate that key switch mechanisms that provide adequate over travel might enable operators to exert less force during repetitive key tapping without inhibiting performance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Female collegiate windmill pitchers: influences to injury incidence.

Few studies have examined fast-pitch softball pitchers and associated injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate injuries occurring to collegiate softball pitchers and associated influential factors. A web-based survey of 181 Division I (n = 45), II (n = 30), and III (n = 54) collegiate softball pitchers was conducted. The survey involved self-reported data from the previous year that addressed (a) demographic information, (b) pitching and game data, (c) training program information, and (d) injury reporting. Demographic information, pitching and game data, and training program information were not statistically significant (p < 0.05) in relation to injury. Descriptive statistics were used to report totals and percentages of pitchers surveyed. Among 131 reported injuries, 36 were acute, 92 chronic/overuse, and 3 unspecified. Of the total injuries, 80 were directly from pitching, with 33 shoulder-related and 16 related to the lower back. Among injured pitchers, 109 took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 140 used modalities, 11 received surgeries, and 95 saw additional specialists. Pitchers are at a risk for injury, with 72.8% of surveyed pitchers being injured during the 2001-02 year.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Visual problems among electronic and jewelry workers in Thailand.

In the processes of electronic and jewelry manufacturing, workers are employed to use their skill in tiny visual tasks (1-3 mm) and near visual distances (<35 cm) that cause visual strain. This study consisted of 3 phases: 1) a survey of workers visual health status and factors affecting their visual strain; 2) the development and implementation of guidelines in the selected factories; and 3) a resurvey to document the change. The baseline survey was conducted in Samutprakan Province during October to December, 2003. Ninety-five percent of the sampled workers were female with an average age of 26.2 yr. Fifty-two percent of the workers had at least one kind of vision problem that might have affected their work performance, and 48.3% of the work sites had substandard illumination levels. The intervention included improvement of lighting conditions, the introduction of short breaks, and correction of visual performance problems. After the intervention, the inadequate lighting problem went down to 24.5%. All factories took a rest break and 20.5% of the workers with inadequate visual performance had corrected their vision in the intervention period. Comparing pre-intervention status with the end of the program, the Critical Fusion Frequency (CFF) at one hour and two hours of work were improved with statistical significance among the electronic but not the jewelry workers. In conclusion, visual problems among vision intensive industrial workers are common. Intervention programs partially but significantly improved the situation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Deformity of the fingers among women workers at a papermaking mill].

With regard to deformity of the fingers (chiefly Heberden's nodes) frequently occurring in Japan among workers preparing school lunches, an epidemiological study was carried out with a suspicion that this deformity might be an occupational disease. We studied the deformity of fingers among woman employees of a papermaking mill (262 mill workers in comparison with 108 office workers) who excessively use their fingers on the job like workers preparing school lunches. The results of this study showed that the number of mill workers suffering from deformity of the fingers (chiefly Heberden's nodes) was significantly (p less than 0.01) greater than that of office workers. Genetic factor, aging factor and mechanical factor have been cited as the etiological factors for the development of Heberden's nodes. However, our findings suggest that mechanical factor is a more important rather than the genetic or aging factor. As for mechanical factor, we have proposed for the first time that repetition of strong and precise pinching movement with the use of all fingers of both hands is an important factor.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain in relation to computer use, physical activity, stress, and depression among Dutch adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine among adolescents (1) the prevalence of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain within different sociodemographic groups and (2) the association of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain with computer use, physical activity, depression, and stress. METHODS: A school-based questionnaire survey in 2002 and 2003 of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain, computer use, physical activity, depression, and stress. The survey was given to 3485 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years who attended secondary schools in Amsterdam, Netherlands. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain was 11.5%, 7.5%, and 3.9%, respectively. The prevalence of neck/shoulder pain was higher among girls and adolescents not living with both parents. The prevalence of low back pain also was higher among girls. Depressive symptoms were associated with neck/shoulder pain, low back pain, and arm pain. The stress experienced was associated with neck/shoulder pain and with low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: This study strengthens the findings that musculoskeletal pain is common among adolescents and is associated with depression and stress but not with computer use and physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Testosterone and endurance exercise: development of the "exercise-hypogonadal male condition".

During the last 30 years a large number of research studies have been conducted examining reproductive endocrine dysfunction in exercising women. The number of similar studies examining men is still relatively small. Nevertheless, an increasing amount of research studies in men indicate endurance exercise training has significant effects upon the major male reproductive hormone, testosterone, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis that regulates reproductive hormones. This review article addresses one reproductive endocrine dysfunction found in exercising men, what has been deemed the "exercise-hypogonadal male condition". Specifically, men with this condition exhibit basal (resting-state) free and total testosterone levels that are significantly and persistently reduced. The exact physiological mechanism inducing the reduction of testosterone is currently unclear, but is postulated to be a dysfunction (or perhaps a readjustment) within the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular regulatory axis. The time course for the development of the "exercise-hypogonadal condition" or the threshold of exercise training necessary to induce the condition remains unresolved. The potential exists for these reduced testosterone levels within the exercise-hypogonadal male to disrupt and be detrimental to some anabolic or androgenic testosterone-dependent physiological processes. Unfortunately, extremely few research studies have addressed whether such processes are affected, and thus findings are inconclusive. Conversely, the alterations in testosterone levels brought about by endurance exercise training have the potential for cardiovascular protective effects and thus could be beneficial to the health of these men. Current evidence suggests this condition is limited to men who have been persistently involved in chronic endurance exercise training for extended periods of time (i.e., years). Many questions, however, regarding the male reproductive endocrine adaptive process to exercise and exercise training remain unanswered, necessitating the need for further research on this topic.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗
PubMed2001

Orthopedic problems in sport climbing.

Sport climbing is associated with unique upper- and lower-limb injuries involving predominantly the hand, elbow, and shoulder, and to a lesser extent the foot. Many pathologic conditions are limited to sport climbing. Physicians treating sport climbers should be aware of these unique injuries and overuse syndromes. This article presents an overview of orthopedic problems (injuries, overuse syndromes, and fractures) resulting from sport climbing. Sport climbing is defined in the context of existing mountain sports, and its characteristics and technical terms are presented. The etiology, diagnosis, and specific treatment for orthopedic problems associated with sport climbing are described.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2003

Pulley injuries in rock climbers.

OBJECTIVE: The closed traumatic rupture of finger flexor tendon pulleys in rock climbers appeared as a new complex finger trauma in the mid 1980s. The objectives of this study are to characterize this injury and to describe diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. A grading system for the severity of pulley injuries was developed and used to set therapeutic pathways. METHODS: Six hundred four injured rock climbers were prospectively evaluated from January 1998 to December 2001 with a questionnaire and standard examination protocol. Diagnostic ultrasound was performed in all rock climbers with finger injuries; if necessary, an additional magnetic resonance imaging was done. All pulley injuries were graded according to an introduced pulley-injury score (grade 1-4). RESULTS: Three of four of the most frequent injuries were related to the fingers: pulley injuries accounted for 20%, tendovaginitis for 7%, and joint capsular damage for 6.1%. One hundred twenty-two (20.2%) rock climbers presented an injury of the flexor tendon pulley system, 48 had pulley strains, and 74 had ruptures (a single rupture in 90.5% and multiple pulley ruptures in 9.5%). According to the pulley-injury score, 39% were grade 1, 25% were grade 2, 30% were grade 3, and 6% were grade 4 injuries. CONCLUSION: Pulley injuries were the most frequent injuries in rock climbers. Whereas grade 1-3 injuries respond well to conservative treatment, grade 4 injuries require surgical repair. We recommend the "loop and a half" technique of Widstrom and colleagues and, alternatively, the Weilby repair. We also recommend postoperative initial immobilization and early functional treatment under external pulley protection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[RSI--repetitive strain injury. A questionable and harmful concept].

The hypothesis that repetitive movements and postures cause musculoskeletal injury is not supported by scientific data. The sensory and pain symptoms are better explained as of psychological and psychosocial nature, such as job dissatisfaction or disajustment, with financial gains objectives. The repetitive strain injury concept is iatrogenic and costly to society, and must be abandoned.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Profile of nursing workers with RSI/WRMD diagnosis in Salvador-Bahia in 1998-2002].

This quantitative study aimed at drawing the profile of nursing workers with a confirmed RSI/WRMD diagnosis, seen at the Center of Workers' Health Studies (Cesat) in Salvador, Bahia, from 1998 to 2002. Data collection was performed based on medical reports and, complementarily, guidelines with items of interest for this investigation. Out of the medical reports, only those of nursing workers were selected. There was the identification of 79 workers--four nurses, 74 assistants, and one technician. There was a prevalence of women aged between 30 and 49, with high school and a monthly income from three to six minimum wages. Out of the total numbers, at the time of data collection, 77.22% were employed, 15.19% were unemployed, and 7.5% were retired. Among the injuries found, carpal tunnel syndrome and cervicalgia prevailed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Profile of occupational disease outpatients and the presence of repetitive strain injury].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the profile of outpatients seen at an occupational disease clinic of a general and repetitive strain injury (RSI) patients by using multivariate analyze. METHODS: The first 565 visit registries for the year 1996 were assessed regarding their social and demographics aspects, work characteristics, and diagnosis. All the variables were analyzed by univariate analysis method. Bivariate data were analyzed using Chi square test (chi2) for categorical variables, comparison of means or ranges for quantitative and categorical variables. Multivariate data were analyzed using log-linear models with logit-transformation to identify the groups with a larger proportion of RSI. RESULTS: Women sought the occupational diseases clinic more frequently than men, and there was a predominance of RSI cases. The occupation distribution was in order of priority as following: office workers, factory workers, and service workers. Of them, 56.9% were from the economic sector of services. RSI was seen in 56% of the patients diagnosed at their first visit. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis confirms the trends seen in the 80s regarding the epidemiological changes in occupational diseases, when RSI started to be identified and displaced to a secondary position the other common diseases (due to physical and chemical hazards) because of inadequacy of ergonomics.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Validity of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire as morbidity measurement tool].

OBJECTIVES: To validate the Portuguese version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and to evaluate the relationship between musculoskeletal morbidity and demographic, occupational and behavior variables. METHODS: Ninety government bank employees were interviewed using the Portuguese version of NMQ in Brasilia, Brazil, in 1999. The respondents' answers were compared to clinical data found in their medical records. Descriptive and associative variable analyses were carried out. Comparative statistical analysis was performed using Student t-test and Pearson's test was applied for correlational analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed an 86% agreement rate between symptoms reported in the NMQ and the respondent's clinical history. There were found differences in symptoms prevalence for the variables gender, occupation and physical activity. Women showed a higher severity average of symptoms for almost all body anatomical regions; managers reported greater severity of symptoms in the lumbar area than clerks; physical activity was associated to the lowest severity of symptoms in upper extremities. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the Portuguese NMQ version includes a good validity indicator and is satisfactory as a musculoskeletal morbidity measurement tool. However, there is a need of (1) more items to measure the severity of symptoms; and (2) changes in scale layout in order to make it more easily understandable and less prone to avoidable missing data.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Work-related disabilities and workers' difficulties in rejoining the labor market].

This cross-sectional study was conducted on permanently disabled workers assisted by the Center for Occupational Rehabilitation (CRP) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate factors associated with their chances of readmission into the labor market. A logistic model was used to investigate workers' acceptance into the professional rehabilitation program and their return into the market. The most decisive factors for their acceptance were age, presence of repetitive strain injury (RSI), and educational level. The most favorable situation was that of workers with RSI under 40 years of age and with average schooling (75.6%). Results showed that young male workers with high educational levels were the ones with the best chances of rejoining the market (90.9%). A controversial issue relates to workers' acceptance and program results. In order to be accepted, the worker had to display a given age and educational profile. Workers with RSI had this profile, but once accepted they were the ones with the greatest difficulty in rejoining the work force. In addition, discrimination against female workers was observed, despite their characteristics being similar to those of males.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[RSI: object and pretext for constructing the work and health field].

This article presents a proposal for a research and action agenda in Workers' Health, taking the case of repetitive strain injury (RSI). It assumes that RSIs are both an object and a pretext for the Workers' Health area. As an object, RSIs demand both an understanding and resolution of problems as they present, and as a pretext, RSIs underscore the limits and contradictions of the paradigms adopted in Workers' Health. The article draws on data and questions raised in several studies.

Brazil↗