Work - Volume 39, issue 4

Authors: Harr, Natalie | Dunn, Louise | Price, Pollie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: This case study explored how household task engagement influenced participation in the home, community and work for a youth with multiple disabilities. Participants: Participants were the first author's single father and her brother, who has spina bifida and intellectual disability. Methods: Researchers used a case study design with mixed methods. Quantitative repeated measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), the Children Helping Out: Responsibilities, Expectations, and …Supports (CHORES), and the Arc's Self-determination Scale (SDS). Qualitative data was collected from interviews and observations and was analyzed using a constant comparison method. Results: Visual analysis revealed gains in self-determination and in performance and satisfaction on the COPM. At follow-up, the father reported his son did more self-care household tasks and was more independent with these tasks. Family-care household task performance declined and father reported relatively no change in assistance. Qualitative findings illuminated the strategies and the processes that evolved through collaboration amongst the youth, the therapist, and the father. Conclusions: The son's competence with a daily household task increased positive perceptions of his capabilities that led to increased participation and independence in home, community, and work activities. Interventions addressing adaptations, development of self-determination skills, and parental education promoted these changes. Show more

Keywords: Preparation independent living, self-determination, CHORES, mixed methods

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1194

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 445-453, 2011

Authors: Erdinc, Oguzhan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: This study explored the prevalence and work interference (WI) of upper extremity musculoskeletal discomfort (UEMSD) and investigated the associations of individual and work-related risk factors and using a notebook stand or docking station with UEMSD among symptomatic occupational notebook personal computer (PC) users. Participants: The participant group included 45 Turkish occupational notebook PC users. Methods: The study used self-reports of participants. The Turkish version of the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (T-CMDQ) …was used to collect symptom data. Results: UEMSD prevailed mostly in the neck, the upper back, and the lower back with prevalence rates of 77.8%, 73.3%, and 60.0% respectively, and with WI rates of 28.9%, 24.4%, and 26.7% respectively. Aggregated results showed that 44% of participants reported WI due to UEMSD in at least one body region. Significant risk factors were: being female, being aged < 31 years, having computer work experience <10 years, and physical discomfort during computer use. Conclusions: UEMSD prevalence and WI rates were considerable in the neck, the upper back, and the lower back. Significant associations between certain risk factors and UEMSD were identified, but no association was found between using notebook stand and docking station and UEMSD among participants. Show more

Keywords: Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, self-report, neck

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1195

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 455-463, 2011

Authors: Poitras, Stéphane | Durand, Marie-José | Côté, Anne-Marie | Tousignant, Michel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: Identify barriers and facilitators related to the use of low-back pain guidelines as perceived by occupational therapists (OTs). Methods and participants: A qualitative approach was used. Nine OTs with varied characteristics were randomly selected. Participants were asked to use the guidelines with at least two clients. Semi-structured interviews were done to identify barriers and facilitators related to use. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed. Results: Participants agreed with the guidelines, found them …compatible with their current practice, and believed using them would help in preventing persistent disability. Some questioned if their work organization, based on group therapy, would limit their use of the guidelines. Because of the guidelines' biopsychosocial perspective, they anticipated problems regarding client expectations and collaboration with other health professionals. Conclusions: Participating OTs raised few barriers related to them. Barriers were mostly related to client expectations, work organization and peers. It appears the guidelines would be easily implemented by OTs, but environmental elements could limit this. Show more

Keywords: Biopsychosocial management, evidence-based practice, occupational therapy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1196

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 465-475, 2011

Authors: Cowley, Stephen P. | Leggett, Susan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Carers of bariatric (morbidly obese) clients are exposed to manual handling injury risk throughout the journey that such clients take within the healthcare system. To identify the factors that affect risks associated with bariatric clients and the subsequent adoption of risk control measures focus groups were conducted in two Australian state capitals: a suburban region of Melbourne and a large regional Victorian town. Participants, were recruited from within the primary health care sector, ambulance services, fire …services and funeral businesses. It was found that the risks to which nurses, ambulance officers, fire fighters, and funeral industry employees are exposed are significant. The injury risk is influenced by the nature and design of the range of environments within which client movement is undertaken; the limited range of handling equipment available for use with bariatric clients; and the efficacy of organisational procedures and training. Adoption of risk controls is hampered by the absence of a standard definition of the term ``bariatric'' and the gaps in information flow during the bariatric client journey through the health care system. Various definitions of bariatric are applied in different sectors and there are limitations to the use of both weight and body mass index in those definitions. Show more

Keywords: Health care, emergency service, funeral, obesity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1197

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 477-483, 2011

Authors: Gulten, Tuna | Evke, Elif | Ercan, Ilker | Evrensel, Turkkan | Kurt, Ender | Manavoglu, Osman

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the genotoxic effects of antineoplastic agents in occupationaly exposed oncology nurses. Genotoxic effects mean the disruptive effects in the integrity of DNA and they are associated with cancer development. Biomonitoring of health care workers handling antineoplastic agents is helpful for the evaluation of exposure to cytostatics. Participants: The study included an exposed and two control groups. The exposed group (n=9) was comprised of oncology nurses. The …first (n=9) and second (n=10) control groups were comprised of subjects who did not come into contact with antineoplastic drugs working respectively in the same department with oncology nurses and in different departments. Methods: Genotoxicity evaluation was performed using SCE analysis. After applying culture, harvest and chromosome staining procedures, a total of 25 metaphases were analyzed per person. Kruskal Wallis test was used to perform statistical analysis. Result: A statistically significant difference of sister chromatid exchange frequencies was not observed between the exposed and control groups. Conclusion: Lack of genotoxicity in medical oncology nurses might be due to good working conditions with high standards of technical equipment and improved personal protection. Show more

Keywords: Occupational exposure, health care workers, sister chromatid exchange assay, closed system device, biological monitoring

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1198

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 485-489, 2011

Authors: Kuruganti, Usha | Murphy, Tiernan P. | Dickinson, Gregory T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: The forest industry is a major economic sector of Canada. While mechanized machines have reduced injuries workers suffered during manual operations, these machines have also created other musculoskeletal concerns. The purpose of this study was to obtain data regarding upper limb musculoskeletal stress during typical harvesting operations using surface electromyography (EMG). Participants: Students currently training in a forest machine operations course were recruited for this study. Four operators (1 …female and 3 males, mean age =24.6 ± 13.4 years, mean height = 172.7 ± 4.6 cm, mean weight=75.4 ± 27.4 kg) participated in this study. Methods: Surface electrodes were placed over the muscles of the upper arm and shoulder to monitor muscular activity during Harvester Simulator operation. Operators were provided specific instructions and visual feedback. Data were collected over a two hours of operation. Results: Preliminary data suggests that while the movements used in the Simulator do not require large force, they are repetitive and constant and can result in muscle fatigue. Conclusions: The EMG data indicated signs of fatigue in several muscles of the upper arms. This preliminary data suggests that while operation of these machines does not require large force contractions, the continuous and repetitive nature of the work can result in muscular fatigue. This suggests that long term operation of mobile machines may result in fatigue and future studies should examine job design. Show more

Keywords: Forest machines, job design, electromyography, fatigue

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1199

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 491-498, 2011