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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: BACKGROUND: Only few longitudinal studies have explored separately predictors of pain incidence and persistence. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether biological, lifestyle, occupational and psychological risk factors for the development of new episodes of upper limb pain (ULP) differ from those for its persistence. METHODS: Spanish nurses and office workers (1105) were asked at baseline about biological, lifestyle, occupational and psychological risk factors and pain in the past month at six anatomical sites in the upper limb (left and right shoulder, elbow and wrist/hand). At follow up, 12 months later, pain in the past month was again ascertained.…Analysis was based on anatomical sites clustered by person. Associations were assessed by multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTS: Nine hundred and seventy-one participants (87.9%) completed follow-up. Job dissatisfaction and older age carried higher risk of new ULP. Somatising tendency (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.6–3.1) was the strongest predictor of new ULP, with a risk estimate which differed significantly from that for the same exposure and persistence of ULP. Having adverse beliefs about the work-relatedness of ULP carried a significantly reduced risk for persistence of ULP. CONCLUSION: Our study provides only limited evidence that risk factors predicting new ULP differ from those predicting its persistence.
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Keywords: Upper extremity, musculoskeletal pain, risk factors, body regions
Abstract: BACKGROUND: A university education is becoming ever-more important in preparing for employment in the knowledge-driven economy. Yet, many university students are not able to complete their degrees because they experience mental health problems during the course of their higher education. Despite the growing numbers of students seeking help, there is limited knowledge about the issues that these students face. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand the range of individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors that affect the lives of university students living with mental health problems. METHODS: The study was based at a large…public university in Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 students with self-identified mental health problems. Their narratives were analyzed using grounded theory methods and a model was developed which drew upon social-ecological theory. RESULTS: Findings depict student experiences as a function of the self (individual factors), the social (interpersonal factors) and the school (environmental factors) and their interrelations. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions must be designed to address all three of these areas and their interrelations. The model can be used to guide universities in designing interventions; however, a fourth level that incorporates a university policy that values and supports student mental health, should be included.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) can provide a comprehensive, objective measure of a worker’s ability to meet work demands to support return to work decision making. Research evidence of a FCE’s reliability and validity, involving more than one study, and covering all test components with a diverse range of populations, is essential to ensure confidence in any FCE system. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish the inter-rater reliability of the Valpar Joule FCE functional capacity evaluation (FCE) for which there is currently limited published literature regarding its reliability. METHODS: Twelve healthy subjects were digitally recorded…completing the initial protocol of the Valpar Joule. Assessments were rated separately by 3 raters and the results then compared. RESULTS: Using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), with percentages of agreement and t -tests to determine bias, inter-rater reliability was high for determining last safe weight lifted for forceful tasks with ICC>0.90. Agreement ranged from 97.2% –100% for determining reasons for terminating tests; 97.2% –98.6% for identifying maximum safe capacity, but was only between 8.3% –50% for full agreement for identification of last weight safely lifted in forceful tasks. Differences were identified between raters with different training and experience for identifying poor body mechanics in lifting. CONCLUSION: Results demonstrated high inter-rater reliability for the Valpar Joule functional capacity evaluation in healthy adults. Further development of criteria identifying poor body mechanics and training in its use is recommended to increase evaluator objectivity.
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Keywords: Return to work, physical capacity, body mechanics
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Informal employment (IE) is one of the least studied employment conditions in public health research, mainly due to the difficulty of its conceptualization and its measurement, producing a lack of a unique concept and a common method of measurement. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to identify literature on IE in order to improve its definition and methods of measurement, with special attention given to high-income countries, to be able to study the possible impact on health inequalities within and between countries. METHODS: A scoping review of definitions and methods of measurement of IE…was conducted reviewing relevant databases and grey literature and analyzing selected articles. RESULTS: We found a wide spectrum of terms for describing IE as well as definitions and methods of measurement. We provide a definition of IE to be used in health inequalities research in high-income countries. Direct methods such as surveys can capture more information about workers and firms in order to estimate IE. CONCLUSIONS: These results can be used in further investigations about the impacts of this IE on health inequalities. Public health research must improve monitoring and analysis of IE in order to know the impacts of this employment condition on health inequalities.
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Keywords: Informal sector, high-income populations, public health, health equity, employment conditions
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The physical working conditions and the musculoskeletal health of industrial workers have an effect on their work ability. OBJECTIVE: The paper evaluates the effectiveness of an ergonomic learning program focused on the development of low strain working techniques. The project is evaluated in regard to its capacity to improve and sustain the work ability of industrial workers with high physical work demands. METHOD: 249 employees at an industrial work site were followed over 2½ years. About one third of the employees were selected into differentiated courses according to the severity of musculoskeletal disorders. The reference…group consisted of the departments that did not participate. The project was evaluated by using questionnaires and interviews. RESULTS: The evaluation of the project only showed minor, non-significant increases in the work ability of the group of employees participating in the most intensive activities. Self- reported productivity increased in all departments, with the largest improvement found among the employees in the department, where everyone participated in a course (8.6% , p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Work ability is composed of many different factors, physiological, physical as well as psycho-social and this may explain the only limited results even of the extensive project activities in the present study. However, the evaluation indicated that job rotation in combination with more healthy work methods could sustain the work ability of employees with more severe musculoskeletal disorders.
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Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, aging workers, working techniques, productivity
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work and employees are often marginalized in studies on community-based psychiatric care and support systems. This paper highlights the role of the worker at congregated supported housing for people with severe mental illness (SMI). Housing support workers (HSW) are a fairly new professional role and have developed as a result of major changes in Swedish mental health care and services. The development of new roles is not unproblematic and raises intriguing questions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe housing support workers’ experiences of meaning in their work, and in addition illuminate how the work…identity of HSWs can be negotiated and constructed. METHODS: Four focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 25 participants. Additionally, three follow up sessions were conducted with the same participants. The material consists of employees from four different sites. The intepretation of the material was inspired by a constructionist approach. RESULTS: The analysis generated three themes: to do a good job, everyday needs and the formal role. The work identity for HSWs is complex and not easily interpreted. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of an unclear assignment affects the description of what is meaningful and important—the work identity and significant affiliations for HSWs. In the long run, this fragmented world can have negative implications for the HSW.
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Keywords: Housing support workers, mental health and illness, narratives, professionals, Sweden, work identity
Abstract: BACKGROUND: It is possible that people with psychiatric disabilities who visit day centres have previous work experiences that may be seen as resources for their current engagement in day centre activities. Research in this respect seems to lack, however. OBJECTIVE: To investigate work experiences among attendees at day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities and relationships with current type of day centre (work-oriented, meeting place-oriented or mixed), engagement in day centre activities, motivation and socio-demographic and health-related factors. METHODS: Seventy-seven attendees responded to questionnaires. Global Assessment of Functioning, GAF, was also used. Work was categorised into…Group I (professionals, semi-professionals), Group II (clerical support, services workers) and Group III (e.g. craft workers, elementary occupations). RESULTS: Almost everyone had previously had open-market employment; more than half for ≥10 years. Group I was more common in mixed centres, Group II in meeting place-oriented ones and Group III in work-oriented ones. Group I more frequently had college degree and was rated high on GAF functioning. Women were over-represented in Group II, and men in Group III and in meeting place-oriented centres. Attending mixed centres was more likely when having a college degree, scoring high on GAF functioning and being highly engaged in activities. Attendees at work-oriented day centres were characterised by being motivated for spending time alone and reporting a diagnosis of psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: The participants had unused working capacity. No clear-cut relationships were found between work experiences and the investigated correlates.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Positive psychological capital is reported to have positive effects on people’s well-being and attitudes to their working lives. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate if it is possible to increase the level of positive psychological capital by two group intervention programs. METHODS: The research design was a controlled study with 2×2 experimental groups and two control groups. Two of the experimental groups received intervention I (IG I), the other two experimental groups received intervention II (IG II). Assessments were made before and after the intervention programs, with a follow-up at six months…post-intervention. Instruments measuring the fundamentals of psychological capital: self-efficacy, hope, optimism, as well as health and job satisfaction were used. RESULTS: The results show that it is possible to increase the level of positive emotions, self-efficacy and job satisfaction of members of a working team by using group intervention methods. The positive changes observed at the end of the program remained six months after the intervention, with the exception of job satisfaction in IG II. It seems that the intervention had a greater influence on those persons who at the start of the study reported a low level of self-enhancement. The results were more pronounced in intervention group I where reinforcement of the resources and positive aspects of the work place environment were provided. CONCLUSIONS: A 10-week group intervention program that focused on learned optimism proved to be successful in increasing levels of self-efficacy and job satisfaction. While improvement was maintained six months post-intervention the small sample size and the attrition rate are limitations. Results are promising and further research is warranted.
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Keywords: hope, optimism, job satisfaction, group intervention
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Disability from mental health (MH) symptoms impairs workers’ functioning. Most of what is known about the MH of workers relates to their experiences after intervention or work absence. OBJECTIVE: To profile the clinical symptoms, self-reported absenteeism and presenteeism and treatment response of workers with MH symptoms at the point of accessing MH care and compare the characteristics of patients referred with or without problems related to work. METHODS: Analysis of 11 years of patient data collected in a Shared Mental Health Care (SMHC) clinic referred within a primary care setting in Ontario, Canada. Multiple regression…with MH disorders was used to predict absenteeism and presenteeism. Absenteeism and presenteeism were assessed using the 12-item self-administered version of the WHO-DAS 2. Symptom profiles were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). RESULTS: Some psychiatric disorders (depression, somatization, anxiety) contributed more to predicting absenteeism and presenteeism than others. Patients referred with work-related problems differed from the general SMHC population in terms of sex and type and number of symptoms. Treatment response was good in both groups after a mean of three treatment visits. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with work-related mental health complaints formed a distinct clinical group that benefitted equally from the intervention(s) provided by SMHC.
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Keywords: Mental health, shared care, work, rehabilitation
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity are one of the major causes of human suffering, increased workers’ compensation expenses, and lost work time, productivity and quality at workplaces. In the developed countries, in case of permanent impairment, a rating is required by legal institutions in order to determine the compensation level. In addition, knowledge of the impairments is a valid reason for companies to take action in order to prevent the advancement and occurrence of the impairments in the future. OBJECTIVE: Developing impairment prediction models of the upper extremity due to the loss of range of motion…of the wrist, forearm/elbow and shoulder joints. METHODS: The relationships between the loss of range of motion and corresponding impairment ratings of upper extremity joints were investigated by the least squares line fitting approach based on the available impairment data. RESULTS: Fourteen impairment prediction models due to the loss of range of motion of wrist, forearm/elbow and shoulder joints were developed. Most of the developed prediction models were linear models and several of them were 2nd and 3rd degree polynomial models. The models, overall, had relatively high predictive capabilities (for 10 of the 14 models: R2 adj >0.95; and for the remaining four models: 0.815 ≤ R2 adj ≤ 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: The developed equations automated by a simple code or a spreadsheet can easily be used for the evaluation of permanent upper extremity impairment and its effect on permanent impairment of the whole body by physicians, occupational therapists, ergonomists, insurance companies and legal institutions.
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Keywords: Work disability, musculoskeletal disorders, workers’ compensation
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In a municipality in Sweden there was a concern about the high alcohol consumption among its residents. An alcohol education program was provided to all those employed by the municipality. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a day-long alcohol education program provided to all employed by a Swedish municipality had an effect on alcohol consumption among employees and specifically among employees with low and higher levels of consumption respectively. METHODS: A quasi-experimental evaluation using pre-test and post-test questionnaires was performed. The municipality’s employees were divided in one intervention group (n: 124) and one control group (n: 139).…ANOVA with repeated measures was performed on AUDIT-score and on three separate AUDIT-items: frequency of drinking, frequency of binge drinking, and typical amount consumed per drinking occasion. RESULTS: No significant effect on alcohol consumption was identified for the intervention group as a whole. Stratified analyses showed the intervention had a significant effect on reducing the frequency of binge drinking among those with the highest consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to many other studies on alcohol education, some results on behaviour were found when performing stratified analyses. The employees with the highest alcohol consumption, although not labelled high consumers, reduced the frequency of binge drinking. It is difficult to speculate whether these results can be generalized to other working populations. The results have to be compared with more direct methods of reaching risk consumers, such as screening and brief interventions. Knowledge about alcohol and the associated risks of alcohol consumption might facilitate the willingness to seek help sooner.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Grip and pinch strength measurement is important for objective evaluation of the function of the upper extremities in upper limbs injuries treatment and also for ergonomists as a way of optimizing the requirements of hand tool design. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to investigate the correlation of anthropometric and demographic factors with hand strength as well as to develop regression models for grip and three types of pinch strengths including Tip, Key and Palmar in Iranian adult population. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1008 Iranian adults aged 20 to 107 years. Participants were…selected using a stratified random sampling method from crowded places of the cities with the highest number of Persian ethnic group. Strength measurements were undertaken according to recommendations by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). RESULTS: This study found a positive and significant correlation between all measured strengths and anthropometric factors. The regression equations of grip and pinch strengths were developed for dominant and non-dominant hands. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provided more information about correlated factors of grip and pinch strengths. The regression equations developed in this research are applicable to clinical treatment and ergonomics programs.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nurses and nursing assistants are susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries (WMSDs) due to the increase in overweight and obese patients they are handling on a daily basis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review work-related musculoskeletal hazards and risks associated with handling overweight and obese patients, and summarize the recommended interventions to mitigate musculoskeletal concerns among nurses and nursing assistants. METHODS: Approximately 350 publications were initially screened and 22 refereed articles were used to synthesize for this study on the bases of inclusion/exclusion relevance and strength of evidence on overweight or obese patient handling.…RESULTS: Evidence suggested that the work-related musculoskeletal risks among nurses and nursing assistants included sprains/strains, low back pain, wrist, knee and shoulder injuries. The findings indicated that the WMSD risks increased when nurses and nursing assistants were manually moving or lifting patients, especially when the patients were overweight or obese. The recommended solutions included the lifting/transfer equipment and devices, ergonomic assessments and controls, no-lift polices, and training and education. CONCLUSION: To alleviate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries among nurses and nursing assistants handling overweight or obese patients, additional research and development into what safe patient handling interventions suit this growing population needs to be addressed.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Manual holding task is a potential risk to the development of musculoskeletal injuries since it is prone to induce localized muscle fatigue. Maximum holding endurance time is a significant parameter for the design of manual holding task. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of load and load’s COG height on maximum holding endurance time. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen young and healthy males were recruited as participants. METHODS: A factorial design was used to examine the effects of load and load’s COG height on maximum holding endurance time. Four levels of load (15% ,…30% , 45% and 60% of the participant’s maximum holding capacity) and two levels of load’s COG height in box (0 cm and 40 cm high from the handle position) were examined. RESULTS: Maximum holding endurance time decreased with increasing load and/or increasing load’s COG height. The effect of load’s COG height on maximum holding endurance time decreased with increasing load. CONCLUSION: Load, load’s COG height, and the interaction of load and load’s COG height significantly affected maximum holding endurance time. Practitioners should realize the effects of load, load’s COG height, and the interaction of load and load’s COG height on maximum holding endurance time when setting the working conditions of holding tasks.
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