Purchase individual online access for 1 year to this journal.
Price: EUR 250.00
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: Objective: The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the differences in levels of work personality for persons with psychiatric disabilities compared to persons with other types of disabilities. Participants: Seventy one adults eligible to receive Vocational Rehabilitation services participated; 30 reported a physical disability, 26 reported a psychiatric disability, and 15 reported a learning disability. Methods: Eligible participants were recruited through VR offices and volunteered to participate. Results: Results indicate that persons…with psychiatric disabilities scored significantly lower on the Work Task and Social Skills subscales of the Developmental Work Personality Scale (DWPS) when compared to individuals with physical disabilities, but scored higher than individuals with physical and learning disabilities on the Role Model subscale. Conclusions: The results of this study provide some initial clarity regarding developmental work personality differences among three broad categories of disability. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Show more
Keywords: Developmental process, work outcomes, work personality, disability categories
Abstract: Objectives: This study examined the effects of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training on work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and accidents. Participants: Participants were white and blue-collar employees of a Swiss metal manufacturer (N=38), and participation was voluntary. Methods: The study was designed as a switching-replications longitudinal trial with randomized group allocation. The randomized controlled cross-over design consisted of two groups each given four weeks of exercise and no intervention…during a second four-week period. Outcome was measured on a daily basis with questionnaires. Three components constituted musculoskeletal symptoms: musculoskeletal pain, related function limitations and musculoskeletal well-being. Accidents were assessed by ratings for balance and daily near-accidents. For statistical analysis, a mixed model was calculated. Results: At the end of the training period musculoskeletal pain and related function limitation were significantly reduced, whereas musculoskeletal well-being had significantly increased. For function limitation and musculoskeletal well-being, change over time was linear. There was no effect on balance or near-accidents. Conclusions: Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration was found to be effective in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. It is well suited for the use in a work environment since it requires very little effort in terms of infrastructure, time and investment from participants.
Show more
Keywords: Randomized controlled crossover trial, musculoskeletal health, occupational low back pain, intervention study
Abstract: Objective: The aims of this pilot study were to identify and examine job control, working long hours and their impact on work and family conflict (WFC) among four Indian doctors and nurses. Participants: The four participants had previously worked in the west and were now working in India. Methods: Employing a grounded theory approach data were analyzed using several coding procedures geared toward model development. Results: For these four Indian doctors and nurses, job control was found to be…grounded in two factors: type of work group control and a lack of control in the work environment. Conclusions: Working long hours is seen to be possible due to a culture accepting of working long hours, a supportive family system, and other arrangements at home.
Show more
Keywords: Grounded theory, job control, working hours
Abstract: Work-related problems, many of which could be prevented with proper ergonomic techniques are particularly common in developing countries. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the work stress and the development of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) of workers employed in the jute mills of India. Participants: About 219 male workers engaged in different departments of three jute industries in 24-Parganas (North) and Hooghly districts of West Bengal, India volunteered for this study.…Methods: Questionnaires along with direct observation of work postures were conducted. Physical parameters such as body weight, height; physiological parameters like heart rate response, blood pressure and psycho-physiological parameters such as perceived exertion rating were studied during different tasks performed by them. Results: It was observed that the 'hacklers' are mostly stressed. Analyses of working postures (OWAS) suggested that their adopted awkward postures were very stressful. A large number of hacklers (92.5% suffer from intense pain in different body parts as compared to workers in other departments of the jute industries. Workers report that the pain even lasts many hours after work. Conclusions: Since most of the workers perform repetitive tasks, so both the workplace as well as the work-rest schedule must be reorganized.
Show more
Abstract: Back pain has been reported by a majority of dental practitioners for decades. Efforts to relieve pain have focused on postural modification, exercise, and equipment designed to facilitate "neutral" posture, but there has been no significant reduction in reported rates of pain. By focusing on static muscle activity and muscle overuse rather than posture, the authors describe the theory behind an innovative approach for the development of an ergonomic intervention. Objective: Demonstrate that posture…is not the problem. Participants: none. Methods: Critical analysis of existing literature in dentistry and in other more advanced fields. Results: Application of current research outside of dentistry. Conclusions: Elimination of Static Muscle Activity rather than modification of posture is the critical issue in preventing pain, fatigue, and injury.
Show more
Keywords: Sustained muscle activity, anterior support, trigger point
