Work-A Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation最新文献

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted daily life and education, prompting institutions to adopt online teaching.

Objective: This study delves into the effectiveness of these methods during the lockdown in Pakistan, employing machine learning techniques for data analysis.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 300 respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess perceptions of online education. Artificial intelligence methods analyzed the specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the collected data.

Results: Among participants, 42.3% expressed satisfaction with online learning, while 49.3% preferred using Zoom. Convenience was noted with 72% favoring classes between 8 AM and 12 PM. The survey revealed 87.33% felt placement activities were negatively impacted, and 85% reported effects on individual growth. Additionally, 90.33% stated that online learning disrupted their routines, with 84.66% citing adverse effects on physical health. The Decision Tree classifier achieved the highest accuracy at 86%. Overall, preferences leaned toward traditional in-person teaching despite satisfaction with online methods.

Conclusions: The study highlights the significant challenges in transitioning to online education, emphasizing disruptions to daily routines and overall well-being. Notably, age and gender did not significantly influence perceptions of growth or health. Finally, collaborative efforts among educators, policymakers, and stakeholders are crucial for ensuring equitable access to quality education in future crises.

Background: Numerous research has investigated the impact of depression and anxiety symptoms, occupational stress, work hours on sleep quality. Nevertheless, the interrelationships between these variables remain poorly understood.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the factors that influence sleep quality, to elucidate the relationships between them and to examine the extent to which depressive and anxiety symptoms act as mediators in the aforementioned relationships.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to obtain information about medical personnel in Chongqing, China. The Depressive Symptom Scale, Anxiety Symptom Scale and Sleep Quality Scale developed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used to assess the status of depression, anxiety and sleep quality, respectively. Structural equation modeling was employed to investigate the factors that influence sleep quality.

Results: The detection rate of poor sleep quality among healthcare workers in Chongqing was 57.9%, analyzed by structural equation modeling, the direct effects of anxiety and depressive symptoms on sleep quality were -0.328, -0.221 and fully mediated the relationship between socio-economic status, weekly working hours and occupational tension and sleep quality. Social support, demands and payments had higher effects on sleep quality of -0.167, -0.176 respectively.

Conclusions: The factors affecting sleep quality were identified as weekly working hours, working age, socioeconomic status, and occupational tension. The sub-dimensions of occupational tension that played a decisive role were social support, demands, and payments. The association between the aforementioned variables and sleep quality was fully mediated by depression and anxiety symptoms.

Background: Shift work has been associated to a higher risk of depression and other health problems.

Objective: This study aims to explore the connection between shift work and depression using NHANES data, with a focus on the roles of sleep duration and physical activity.

Methods: NHANES data from 2007 to 2025 were examined using weighted multivariable logistic regression and stratified analysis, adjusting for demographic, chronic disease, and lifestyle factors. The impact of sleep duration and physical activity on depression among shift workers was examined using generalized additive models.

Results: The study included 4965 participants. Adjusting for all covariates, shift work was significantly linked to increased depression risk (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.05-1.48, p = 0.0127). For shift workers, each additional hour of sleep reduced depression risk by 19% (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.72-0.91, p = 0.0007), and those with adequate sleep had a 40% lower depression risk compared to those with insufficient sleep (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.87, p = 0.0072). Regular physical activity reduced depression risk by 44% (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.36-0.87, p = 0.0104), whereas insufficient activity showed no significant impact (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.50-1.38, p = 0.4731).

Conclusions: Shift work increases depression risk, while sufficient sleep and physical activity are protective. These findings underscore the importance of improving conditions for shift workers and developing preventive strategies.

Background: School teachers often have knee osteoarthritis due to the nature of their work.

Objective: To compare the effects of post-isometric exercise and piroxicam on pain and functional impairment in school teachers having knee osteoarthritis.

Method: A pragmatic, community-based, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial (IRCT20230202057310N4) was conducted was conducted at Muhammad Physical Therapy Clinic and Rehabilitation Center, Multan, Pakistan from September 2025 to July after approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee (). A total of 70 pre-diagnosed osteoarthritis patients were randomly assigned to two groups after enrollment using the lottery method. Patients of Group A were treated with post-isometric exercises for 12 weeks (3 sessions per week and each session lasted for 45 min), while those in Group B were given piroxicam (given orally 20 mg twice a day for 12 weeks). At baseline and the 18th session, pain and daily activities were measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale, and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), biochemical (ESR, CRP, and WBCs) and radiological (X-rays) parameters were evaluated. The data was analyzed by using SPSS-23. The independent t-test compared differences between two unrelated groups while the paired t-test assessed differences within the same group. P-value <0.005 was considered significant.

Results: Out of 70 patients, 68 patients were assessed and there were 46 females and 21 males. The results showed a highly significant improvement in flexion (p = 0.001), WOMAC ADLs (p = 0.001), WOMAC stiffness (p = 0.004), PCS (p = 0.001) in group-A than group-B. Similarly, there was a highly significant improvement in NPRS (p = 0.001), WOMAC pain (p = 0.001), WBCs % (p = 0.002), ESR (p = 0.002) and CRP (p = 0.003) in group-B than group-A, underscoring the effectiveness of the post-isometric exercises.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that post-isometric exercises could be a more beneficial treatment option than piroxicam for knee osteoarthritis. The practical implications of this research are significant, as it demonstrates that post-isometric exercises not only enhance functional results but also reduce pain severity, offering a promising alternative to traditional medication.

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) affects almost one-third of adult women. This is often taken as a section of the aging process and incurable In general, women perceive UI as more of a social issue and a taboo rather than a medical problem; they are reluctant to discuss the matter or seek assistance.

Objective: This research was conducted to investigate the level of social isolation and depression in female employees with UI during the COVID-19 pandemicMETHODS:The study was done with 533 paticipant. The study data were done using the Nottingham Health Profile Social Isolation Scale (NHPSIS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: The total scores of the NHPSIS and BDI were found to be 18.55±3.3 (minimum = 5, maximum = 25) and 49.22±11.4 (minimum = 12, maximum = 60), respectively. In the Pearson correlation analysis, a strong, statistically significant, and positive correlation was discovered between NHPSIS and the average BDI total scores among women.

Conclusion: The level of depression and social isolation were obtained to be high among UI women who had a mix UI, high frequencies of UI, belong to higher age groups, singles, and high body mass index. It was showed that the levels of depression and social isolation scores were showed to be high in women had UI.

Background: Neck discomfort, arising from strained muscles, poor posture, accidents, or underlying medical conditions, significantly impacts daily activities and overall well-being, presenting a substantial healthcare challenge.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of motor control therapeutic neck exercise and a Structured Exercise Program on neck pain and posture among automobile industrial workers.

Methods: Using a lottery technique, 106 participants aged 20 to 45 were selected from the vicinity of Chennai's auto industries based on predetermined eligibility and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, participants were randomly assigned to either the motor control therapeutic neck exercise group or the structured exercise program group, each comprising 53 individuals. Participants received a comprehensive overview of the study and respective interventions, and their informed consent was obtained. Demographic details, Neck Injury and Disability scores, and Assessment of Postural and Ergonomic Characteristics data were then collected.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the groups, with the Motor Control Therapeutic Neck Exercise group demonstrating superior outcomes in reducing pain and improving posture, with p-values less than 0.001.

Conclusions: This study highlights the efficacy of Motor Control Therapeutic Neck Exercise over Structured Exercise in improving neck pain and posture among automobile industrial workers. These findings contribute valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions in occupational health settings.

Background: Musculoskeletal System Disorders (MSDs) are a group of injuries that represent common occupational diseases and should be evaluated for prevention purposes because an increase has been observed due to the repetitive movements performed in the industry. This research was carried out in a manufacturing industry where metal parts are manufactured, and workers experience back and wrist pain.

Objective: To prediagnose Musculoskeletal System Disorders (MSDs) and examine the relationship between temperature, demographic, and physiological factors in workers through predictive models, contributing to MSD prevention.

Methods: Information from 36 operators was used to obtain vital signs and somatometry data, and thermograms of their hands in the dorsal, palmar, and back areas were collected and analyzed to determine the relationship between temperature and demographic and physiological factors.

Results: The ergonomic evaluations proved that the operators were at high risk owing to repetitive movements and postures adopted during work. Eighty-six percent of cases with injuries were identified using infrared thermograms, proving their high level of effectiveness. When studying the relationship between temperature behavior during recovery from repetitive activities and demographic and physiological factors, it was determined that age, dominant hand, respiratory frequency, and BMI were the most significant.

Conclusions: Nine regression models were obtained, with coefficients of determination between 0.17 and 0.71. The significant factors for worker injuries were age, dominant hand, respiratory rate, and BMI. However, the sample size and variability in work activities should be extended to generalize the findings.

Background: Military physical fitness tests and standards often lack a scientific basis. Contrary to this traditional-historical precedent, US Air Force researchers use a "Two-Tier" health (Tier 1) and performance (Tier 2) approach to develop evidence-based criterion physical fitness tests, standards, and training. This study specifically and only addresses a physical demands analysis, the first step in a six-step process to develop Tier 2 occupationally specific, operationally relevant physical fitness tests and standards, and training guidance.

Objective: This study conducted a physical demands analysis to identify and delineate occupationally specific, operationally relevant critical physical tasks for eight physically demanding US Air Force occupational specialties.

Methods: A comprehensive five part physical demands analysis reviewed duty tasks, conducted focus groups, assessed incumbents, observed operational tasks, and interviewed senior leaders to detail critical physical tasks.

Results: The physical demands analysis delineated duty tasks to critical physical tasks for Special Tactics (556 to 40), Pararescue (981 to 50), Tactical Air Control (415 to 44), Special Operations Weather (586 to 50), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (1107 to 39), Security Forces (1286 to 25), Fire and Emergency Services (802 to 39), and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (1099 to 25).

Conclusions: The study approach proved efficacious for conducting a thorough physical demands analysis to identify and delineate occupationally specific, operationally relevant critical physical tasks for eight US Air Force physically demanding occupations. Critical physical tasks provide basis for the next overall research process step, developing physical task simulations to link to predictive physical fitness tests and training guidance.

Background: Physiotherapists and nurses play crucial roles in healthcare, often requiring them to adopt physically demanding positions. However, these positions can lead to joint stress and an increased risk of injury, as well as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). These disorders can significantly impact the performance of their duties, which can negatively affect patient recovery.

Objective: This study assessed and compared health behaviour and work-related musculoskeletal pain among Polish physiotherapists and nurses.

Methods: The study encompassed a group of 304 participants. The methodology consisted of a survey addressing pain-related questions and the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI). The HBI evaluates health behaviour in four categories.

Results: The average HBI score was 5.05 (±1.96) points for physiotherapists and 4.50 (±1.86) points for nurses (P = .01). When analysing the HBI components, a statistically significant difference was observed in positive mental attitude and health practices (P <  .05). Regarding work-related musculoskeletal pain, 92% of nurses and 79% of physiotherapists reported experiencing pain while working (P <  .01). Pain intensity, measured with the VAS, was 3.77 (±2.37) for physiotherapists and 4.73 (SD 2.04) for nurses (P <  .01). Physiotherapists more often suffered from upper limb pain (57% vs 49%), while nurses experienced middle/lower back pain (82% vs 63%) and lower extremity pain (38% vs 23%) more frequently.

Conclusions: Both professional groups experience WRMSDs, with nurses suffering more regularly and severely. In contrast, physiotherapists exhibit superior health behaviour practices, potentially mitigating musculoskeletal pain. Nonetheless, the prevalence of pain related to WRMSDs remains alarmingly high in both professions.

Background: Physical fitness is a key tenet of military organisations worldwide. Specifically, many consider aerobic fitness (AF) an essential physical attribute for ensuring optimal military performance and readiness. However, the intricate relationship between AF and various facets of military job performance necessitates comprehensive review to ascertain the appropriateness and effectiveness of its assessment.

Objective: This narrative review aims to describe the relationship between AF and factors influencing individual military performance and readiness, and explores the implications of the enforcement of in-service, generic AF test standards in military populations.

Methods: Databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) were searched for all relevant published peer-reviewed literature as at August 2023.

Results: Inconsistent associations were found between AF and outcomes influencing individual military performance (physical capabilities, cognitive capabilities, presenteeism and productivity, resilience, and technical/tactical capabilities) and readiness (mental health and wellbeing and physical health). Consequently, the level of AF needed for acceptable or optimal military performance remains uncertain.

Conclusions: AF is a cornerstone of health and performance, yet linking generic AF test standards to job performance is complex, with multiple factors interacting to influence outcomes. From existing literatures, there does not appear to be a specific level of AF at, and/or above, which acceptable military performance is achieved. As such, the enforcement of and emphasis on in-service, pass/fail, generic AF test standards in military populations is questionable and requires thoughtful re-evaluation. Role/task-specific AF should be assessed through evidence-based PES and the use of generic AF tests limited to the monitoring and benchmarking of health-related fitness.