Work - Volume 45, issue 4

Authors: White, Marc | Wagner, Shannon | Schultz, Izabela Z. | Murray, Eleanor | Bradley, Susan M. | Hsu, Vernita | McGuire, Lisa | Schulz, Werner

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A challenge facing stakeholders is the identification and translation of relevant high quality research to inform policy and practice. This study engaged academic and community stakeholders in conducting a best evidence-synthesis to enhance knowledge use. OBJECTIVES: To identify modifiable workplace disability risk and protective factors across common health conditions impacting work-related absence. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, BusinessSourceComplete, and ABI/Inform from 2000 to 2011. Systematic …reviews that employed quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods of work-focused population were considered for inclusion. Two or more independent reviewers reviewed titles only, titles and abstracts, and/or full articles when assessing eligibility for inclusion. Selected articles underwent methodological screening. RESULTS: The search strategy, expert input and grey literature identified 2,467 unique records from which 142 full text articles underwent comprehensive review. Twenty-seven systematic reviews met eligibility criteria. Modifiable work factors found to have consistent evidence across two or more health conditions included lack of social support, increased physical demands at work, job strain, lack of supervisory support, increased psychological demands, low job satisfaction, low worker control of job, and poor leadership quality. CONCLUSIONS: The active engagement of stakeholders led to greater understanding of relevance of the study findings for community stakeholders and appreciation of the mutual benefits of collaboration. Show more

Keywords: Disability prevention, risk and protective factors, occupational health, workplace absence

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131628

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 1-12, 2013

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131634

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 421-421, 2013

Authors: Wisenthal, Adeena | Krupa, Terry

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Mental health claims in the workplace are rising, particularly those due to depression. Associated with this is an increase in disability costs for the employer and the disability insurer, but even more important is the human suffering that results. While treatments are available for the depression there is a gap in interventions that specifically target return-to-work preparation. This paper presents cognitive work hardening, a treatment intervention that can bridge this gap by addressing the unique functional …issues inherent in depression with a view to increasing return-to-work success. Cognitive work hardening applies the proven principles of classical work hardening (which has typically been applied to people with physical injuries) to the mental health domain. This paper explains how the occupational therapy principle of occupation and the core competency, enablement, are utilized and applied in cognitive work hardening. Key skills of the occupational therapist are also discussed. In addition, the paper considers the relationship of cognitive work hardening to recovery and mental illness, and the role it plays among workplace-based return-to-work interventions in the current movement toward non-clinical return-to-work interventions. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, mental disorder, cognitive skills, occupation, enablement, recovery

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131635

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 423-430, 2013

Authors: Glimne,, S. | Seimyr, G. Öqvist | Ygge, J. | Nylén, P. | Brautaset, R.L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To introduce fixation disparity variance as an objective measure of visual discomfort. A higher variance in fixation disparity is indicative of more visual fatigue. This observation is based on the results from a study where we investigated how fixation disparity was affected by glare on a VDU. Participants. In total 16 subjects with normal vision participated in this study. METHOD: In a balanced repeated-measurement experiment, all subjects performed equal near-vision tasks. In addition …to the condition of no glare three controlled conditions of glare were used: direct light, indirect light, and desk luminary. After each condition, the fixation disparity was measured 15 times using a computerized fixation disparity test. RESULTS: The results showed that the average (mean) disparity was found to increase towards esophoric (crossed) with the adversity of the lighting conditions, but the differences were not significant. However, when analyzing the variation (standard deviation) within the 15 measurements and comparing these between conditions, we found that the direct light condition resulted in significantly higher variation compared to lighting condition of no glare and desk luminary lighting. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, we argue that fixation disparity variance may be a useful objective measure of visual fatigue. Show more

Keywords: VDU work, lighting conditions, glare, binocular vision

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121575

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 431-437, 2013

Authors: Österholm, Johannes Hjalmarsson | Björk, Mathilda | Håkansson, Carita

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Employment rates are significantly lower among individuals with arthritis compared to a general population. There is, however, limited research about how men with arthritis perceive their ability to maintain working. The aim of this study was thus to explore their perception of this. PARTICIPANTS: Nine employed men with arthritis were purposively sampled. METHODS: Interviews were performed and were informed by the central concepts of the Model of Human Occupation. The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method was modified and …used to analyze and interpret collected data. RESULTS: The findings showed that men with arthritis perceived a desire to work, adjusted their activity pattern, were aware of their own capabilities, had good work conditions, had environmental support and used effective medication to maintain their ability to work. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that health care professionals can help men with arthritis to find strategies and a balance between recreation and work. Ultimately, this knowledge could guide health care professionals to target men needing interventions to prevent sick leave. Show more

Keywords: Ability to work, empirical phenomenological psychological method (EPP), rheumatism, rheumatology, work ability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121542

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 439-448, 2013

Authors: Smith, Diane L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine if disability is a significant factor in increasing the likelihood of experiencing stress regarding the ability to pay for housing and healthy food. PARTICIPANTS: 24.6% (n=16206) of 65,960 adults who responded to the social context optional module of 2009–2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System identified themselves as having a disability. Adults with disabilities reported that they experienced significantly more stress about having money to pay for housing and healthy …food than adults without disabilities. METHODS: This research was a quantitative study using a publicly available dataset. A series of logistic regressions were performed to determine the extent that disability affected the likelihood of stress about having enough money for housing and healthy food. RESULTS: Employed persons with a disability are 1.6 times and 1.9 times as likely as persons without a disability to experience stress about not having enough money to pay for housing and healthy food, respectively. Persons not employed with a disability are 1.56 times and 1.83 times as likely to experience stress about not having enough money to pay for housing and healthy food, respectively. For persons with a disability, being female, in poor health, without a health plan and having a lower income were also significant. Education and employment were not significant predictors of experiencing stress regarding money for food or housing. CONCLUSIONS: Having a disability is more predictive of experiencing stress about having enough money for housing and healthy food than employment, though variables such as low income and having a health plan, dependent on employment are significant. Therefore, strategies and policy recommendations to reduce stress by increasing employment and income for persons with disabilities were presented. Show more

Keywords: Accommodation, awareness, policy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121552

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 449-463, 2013

Authors: Memarpour, Mahtab | Badakhsh, Samaneh | Khosroshahi, Shadab Safarzadeh | Vossoughi, Mehrdad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), associated factors and treatment among dentists over a one year period. METHOD: A total of 272 questionnaires were returned complete providing demographic information, details of the physical workload, location of pain in the body, and the treatment and prevention of MSDs. All data was coded for each of the parameters. The association between pain and each of the parameters was determined by parametric and non-parametric statistical tests (P < 0.05). PARTICIPANTS: …General and specialist dentists participated in the study. The sample set of dentists consisted of 205 (75.4%) generalists and 67 (24.6%) specialists. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the total cohort experienced MSDs. Female dentists complained of pain significantly more frequently than their male counterparts (p=0.018). Significantly higher rates of pain and MSDs are related to increased years of work (r=0.168, p =0.017) and less regular ergonomic exercise (p=0.002). Reported pain was most common in the shoulder (44.2%), neck (31.8%) and lower back (29.9%). Dentists who worked inclined had significantly more pain disorder than those who did not (p=0.013). In total 23.5% of dentists reduced working hours and 16.5% sought medical help. CONCLUSION: Pain was most commonly reported in the shoulder, neck and back. Physical workload is an important factor in MSDs. The impact of MSDs on the work and life of dentists demonstrates the need for increased knowledge of MSDs and the instigation of preventive strategies. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, shoulder and neck disorders, dentistry, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1468

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 465-474, 2013

Authors: Albin, Thomas J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Designers and ergonomists occasionally must produce anthropometric models of workstations with only summary percentile data available regarding the intended users. Until now the only option available was adding or subtracting percentiles of the anthropometric elements, e.g. heights and widths, used in the model, despite the known resultant errors in the estimate of the percent of users accommodated. This paper introduces a new method, the Median Correlation Method (MCM) that reduces the error. OBJECTIVE: …Compare the relative accuracy of MCM to combining percentiles for anthropometric models comprised of all possible pairs of five anthropometric elements. Describe the mathematical basis of the greater accuracy of MCM. METHODS: MCM is described. 95th percentile accommodation percentiles are calculated for the sums and differences of all combinations of five anthropometric elements by combining percentiles and using MCM. The resulting estimates are compared with empirical values of the 95th percentiles, and the relative errors are reported. RESULTS: The MCM method is shown to be significantly more accurate than adding percentiles. MCM is demonstrated to have a mathematical advantage estimating accommodation relative to adding or subtracting percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: The MCM method should be used in preference to adding or subtracting percentiles when limited data prevent more sophisticated anthropometric models. Show more

Keywords: Anthropometry, adding percentiles, anthropometric models

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131636

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 493-498, 2013

Authors: Allaire, Saralynn J. | AlHeresh, Rawan | Keysor, Julie J.

Article Type: Research Article

Keywords: Arthritis, work disability, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131667

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 499-503, 2013

Authors: Van Petten, Adriana M. Valladão Novais | Nunes, Ciomara Maria Pérez

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131693

Citation: Work, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 505-507, 2013