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ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) and musculoskeletal disorders in the United States and worldwide are increasing at an alarming rate due to the advent of ubiquitous computer usage. Factors that lead to computer-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) include inadequately designed workstations, poor posture, and lack of knowledge about proper ergonomics and use habits. Studies have documented the negative impact of improper posture and the MSD seen in students and office workers due to frequent computer usage. Objective:…Determine if the frequency (single vs. continuous reminder) and/or use of feedback affects posture at a computer workstation. Participants: Observations of posture habits were made in three local schools and one local company. Feedback effects were tested on the students (ages 10–15). Methods: Real time feedback was given in two studies. In one study, instructions and a verbal reminder were given to students and in a second study, a prototype 'Posture Pad' was developed to provide continuous feedback to the user. Results: Verbal reminders to sit correctly led to transient improvement of posture. Use of the `Posture Pad' resulted in significant improvement in posture with subjects exhibiting correct posture 98 ± 5% of the time. Conclusions: Real time feedback about how one is sitting is an effective mechanism for non-transient improvement of posture at computer workstations.
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Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to determine how head and neck postures vary when using two media tablet (slate) computers in four common user configurations. Methods: Fifteen experienced media tablet users completed a set of simulated tasks with two media tablets in four typical user configurations. The four configurations were: on the lap and held with the user's hands, on the lap and in a case, on a table and in a case, and on a…table and in a case set at a high angle for watching movies. An infra-red LED marker based motion analysis system measured head/neck postures. Results: Head and neck flexion significantly varied across the four configurations and across the two tablets tested. Head and neck flexion angles during tablet use were greater, in general, than angles previously reported for desktop and notebook computing. Postural differences between tablets were driven by case designs, which provided significantly different tilt angles, while postural differences between configurations were driven by gaze and viewing angles. Conclusion: Head and neck posture during tablet computing can be improved by placing the tablet higher to avoid low gaze angles (i.e. on a table rather than on the lap) and through the use of a case that provides optimal viewing angles.
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Keywords: Slate computing, media tablets, mobile computing
Abstract: While back pain is common among health care workers in the United States, the epidemiology of back pain is unclear. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and trend of back pain from work-related injuries among health care workers. Methods: Data from the Pennsylvania Work Injuries and Illnesses Reports from 2002 to 2006 were analyzed. Results: Estimated back injuries account for 24.6% of all reported injuries…in healthcare workers in Pennsylvania. From 2002 to 2006, there was a 22.5% increase in the incidence of reported back pain in this population. Conclusions: Due to a lack of detailed reports regarding the incidence of back pain among Pennsylvania healthcare workers, it is recommended that a survey of healthcare workers who perform patient handling be completed.
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Keywords: Work-related injury, back injury, injury surveillance
Abstract: Objective: This study examined the effects of various backpack loads on elementary schoolchildren's posture and postural compensations as demonstrated by a change in forward head position. Subjects: A convenience sample of 11 schoolchildren, aged 8–11 years participated. Methods: Sagittal digital photographs were taken of each subject standing without a backpack, and then with the loaded backpack before and after walking 6 minutes (6MWT) at free walking speed. This was repeated over three consecutive weeks using backpacks…containing randomly assigned weights of 10%, 15%, or 20% body weight of each respective subject. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured using digitizing software, recorded and analyzed. Results: Subjects demonstrated immediate and statistically significant changes in CVA, indicating increased forward head positions upon donning the backpacks containing 15% and 20% body weight. Following the 6MWT, the CVA demonstrated further statistically significant changes for all backpack loads indicating increased forward head postures. For the 15 & 20%BW conditions, more than 50% of the subjects reported discomfort after walking, with the neck as the primary location of reported pain. Conclusions: Backpack loads carried by schoolchildren should be limited to 10% body weight due to increased forward head positions and subjective complaints at 15% and 20% body weight loads.
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Keywords: Children, cervical, posture, forward head
