Work - Volume 77, issue 4

Authors: Beltrán, Sol Patricia | Batista, Gabriel de Amorim | dos Passos, Muana Hiandra Pereira | da Silva, Hitalo Andrade | Locks, Francisco | Cappato de Araújo, Rodrigo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain affects millions of workers worldwide and is considered one of the leading causes of absenteeism and presenteeism. Therefore, using exercises in the work environment emerges as a strategy to prevent or reduce shoulder pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a workplace-based exercise program on shoulder pain and function in fruit workers. METHODS: This was an 8-week parallel two-arm randomized controlled trial. Forty-four fruit workers who reported chronic shoulder pain were randomized to an Experimental Group (EG) or Control Group (CG). The EG was submitted to a …program of resistance and stretching exercises for eight weeks, twice a week. The CG received a booklet with muscle stretching and mobility exercises. The primary outcome was shoulder pain intensity; the secondary outcomes were Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and perceived global effect. RESULTS: Both groups showed reductions in pain intensity EG: 4.26 (95% CI 2.78–5.74) and CG: 3.74 (95% CI 1.98–5.50) points. The SPADI results showed an average reduction of 17.76 (CI 95% 3.10–32.43) for the EG and 18.39 (CI 95% 3.66–33.13) for the CG. The mean value of the perceived global effect for the CG was 3.45±2.01, and for the EG, the mean was 4.13±1.24. No differences were observed between groups in any outcome analyzed. CONCLUSION: Both groups showed significant changes in the analyzed outcomes. However, the workplace-based exercise program was not superior to the exercise booklet. Show more

Keywords: Shoulder pain, occupational health, agricultural workers’ diseases, workplace, controlled clinical trial, exercise therapy, resistance training

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230085

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1143-1151, 2024

Authors: Poh, Jess Xiu Yi | Chan, Kuang Hong | Tan, Samantha Si Li | Xu, Tianma

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational therapists (OT) assess and prescribe assistive devices to older adults with limitations in performing daily living activities. Timely prescription of assistive devices to accommodate the rising demand has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tele-assessment allows for continuity of care, but its success depends on therapists’ acceptance. OBJECTIVE: This study examined OTs’ perceptions of the feasibility of conducting tele-assessment and developing a clinical practice guideline for remote prescription of assistive devices for older adults in Singapore. METHODS: Eligible OTs were recruited from purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via a virtual platform (Zoom). Audio …recordings were transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analysis using a line-by-line coding method was used to identify common trends. RESULTS: Interviews with 10 participants revealed three main themes: (1) therapists’ perceptions of the feasibility of tele-assessment, (2) criteria for safe and appropriate prescription of assistive devices via tele-assessment, and (3) practical considerations for the implementation of tele-assessment. Participants felt that tele-assessment increases efficiency with more older adults being more receptive towards technology. They also raised suggestions to address OTs’ concerns regarding the safety and accuracy prescription of assistive devices following tele-assessment. This included establishing the client’s suitability for assistive device prescription, characteristics of assistive devices, resources required, and considering the preferences of stakeholders involved. CONCLUSION: Tele-assessment for assistive device prescription by OTs appears feasible in Singapore. OTs should consider collaborating with other stakeholders to develop a tele-assessment clinical practice guideline for assistive device prescription. Further studies testing its clinical effectiveness during and/or post-pandemic are warranted. Show more

Keywords: Feasibility study, occupational therapy, telehealth, remote consultation, needs assessment, prescriptions, assistive devices, qualitative research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230168

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1153-1163, 2024

Authors: Khanehshenas, Farin | Mazloumi, Adel | Nahvi, Ali | Nickabadi, Ahmad | Sadeghniiat, Khosro | Rahimiforoushani, Abbas | Aghamalizadeh, Alireza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Numerous systems for detecting driver drowsiness have been developed; however, these systems have not yet been widely used in real-time. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate at the feasibility of detecting alert and drowsy states in drivers using an integration of features from respiratory signals, vehicle lateral position, and reaction time and out-of-vehicle ways of data collection in order to improve the system’s performance and applicability in the real world. METHODS: Data was collected from 25 healthy volunteers in a driving simulator-based study. Their respiratory activity was recorded using a wearable belt …and their reaction time and vehicle lateral position were measured using tests developed on the driving simulator. To induce drowsiness, a monotonous driving environment was used. Different time domain features have been extracted from respiratory signals and combined with the reaction time and lateral position of the vehicle for modeling. The observer of rating drowsiness (ORD) scale was used to label the driver’s actual states. The t-tests and Man-Whitney test was used to select only statistically significant features (p  < 0.05), that can differentiate between the alert and drowsy states effectively. Significant features then combined to investigate the improvement in performance using the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), the Support Vector Machines (SVMs), the Decision Trees (DTs), and the Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) classifiers. The models were implemented in Python library 3.6. RESULTS: The experimental results illustrate that the support vector machine classifier achieved accuracy of 88%, precision of 85%, recall of 83%, and F1 score of 84% using selected features. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the possibility of very accurate detection of driver drowsiness and a viable solution for a practical driver drowsiness system based on combined measurement using less-intrusive and out-of-vehicle recording methods. Show more

Keywords: Sleepiness, respiration, classification, machine learning, reaction time, automobile driving

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230179

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1165-1177, 2024

Authors: Mänttäri, Satu | Rauttola, Ari-Pekka | Halonen, Janne | Karkulehto, Jutta | Säynäjäkangas, Pihla | Oksa, Juha

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long-term work with elevated arms, or overhead work, is a risk factor for musculoskeletal complaints and disorders. Upper-limb exoskeletons are a promising tool for reducing occupational workload when working with hands above shoulder level. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of upper-limb exoskeleton on muscular and physical strain and perceived exertion during dynamic work at four different shoulder joint angles. Further, we evaluated if there are any negative effects associated with the use of exoskeleton. METHODS: A total of 15 student participants performed dynamic work in laboratory setting with and …without an exoskeleton at four different shoulder angles: 60, 90, 120 and 150 degrees. Muscle electrical activity from 8 muscles of the upper body, perceived exertion, and heart rate were measured during the work task, and grip strength, muscle stiffness, tone, and elasticity from six muscles, m. deltoideus physiological cross-sectional area and muscle fiber pennation angle, and nerve conduction velocity were measured before and after the work task. RESULTS: Based on the results, the use of exoskeleton significantly reduced the muscle activity of the upper limb, shoulder, and back muscles. The reduction was most significant when the arm elevation was 120°, and in m. deltoideus muscle activity. RPE was also positively affected indicating reduction in workload when using exoskeleton. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the use of upper limb exoskeleton has potential to reduce physical workload during overhead work and, consequently, reduce the risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Show more

Keywords: Overhead work, passive exoskeleton, dynamic work, musculoskeletal disorders, shoulder joint, EMG

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230217

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1179-1188, 2024

Authors: Jatobá, Alessandro | Bellas, Hugo | Arcuri, Rodrigo | Sobral, André Luiz Avelino | Bulhões, Bárbara | Vianna, Jaqueline | de Castro Nunes, Paula | d’Avila, Adriana Lourenço | de Carvalho, Paulo Victor Rodrigues

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patient referral prioritizations is an essential process in coordinating healthcare delivery, since it organizes the waiting lists according to priorities and availability of resources. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to highlight the consequences of decentralizing ambulatory patient referrals to general practitioners that work as family physicians in primary care clinics. METHODS: A qualitative case study was carried out in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The ten health regions of Rio de Janeiro were visited during fieldwork, totalizing 35 hours of semi-structured interviews and approximately 70 hours of analysis based on the Grounded Theory. …RESULTS: The findings of this study show that the obstacles to adequate referrals are beyond the management of vacancies, ranging from the standardization of prioritization criteria to ensuring the proper employment of referral protocols in diverse locations assisted by overloaded health workers with different backgrounds and perceptions. Efforts in decentralizing patient referral to primary care still face the growing dilemmas and challenges of expanding the coverage of health services while putting pressure on risk assessment, as well as sustaining the autonomy of physicians’ work while respecting the eligibility when ordering waiting lists. CONCLUSION: A major strength of this work is on the method to organize and aggregate qualitative data using visual representations. Limitations concerning the reach of fieldwork in vulnerable and hardly accessible areas were overcame using snowball sampling techniques, making more participants accessible. Show more

Keywords: Waiting lists, health systems resilience, health care reform, ambulatory care, risk assessment, qualitative research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230228

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1189-1203, 2024

Authors: Yang, Yongzheng | Du, Zhigang | Jiang, Zehao

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The tunnel section is a complex traffic scenario and an accident prone area. There are differences in the performance of different driving groups in tunnel environments, which may have an impact on traffic safety. OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in the impact of tunnel environment on professional and non-professional drivers. METHODS: Based on the vehicle experimental data, the electroencephalography (EEG) power was compared for professional and non-professional drivers. The impact of illumination changes and longitudinal slope on different driving groups was analyzed. RESULTS: At tunnel entrance with severely reduced lighting, the adaptation time …of non-professional drivers to the light environment is 1.5 times that of professional drivers. When driving on the longitudinal slope, professional drivers perform better. The greater the longitudinal slope, the more obvious the advantages of professional drivers. However, in areas with relatively good traffic conditions, professional drivers are more prone to be distracted. CONCLUSION: Professional and non-professional drivers have their own advantages and disadvantages in the tunnel environment. In general, the driving adaptability of professional drivers is better than that of non-professional drivers in tunnel sections. The research conclusions provide a reference for driver safety training. Show more

Keywords: Professional drivers, human factor, driving safety, lighting environment, road alignment, EEG

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230278

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1205-1217, 2024

Authors: Orr, Robin M. | Milligan, Gemma S. | Blacker, Sam D. | Drain, Jace R. | Reilly, Tara | Chassé, Etienne | Siddall, Andrew | Foulis, Stephen A. | Kilding, Helen | Jamnik, Veronica

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-246006

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1219-1221, 2024

Authors: Powell, Steven D. | Hogan, Joseph | Fallowfield, Joanne L. | Brown, Pieter E.H. | Tsang, Fiona | Fisken, Alison | Rowland, Daniel | Richards, Lana | Allsopp, Adrian J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Ministry of Defence Police recognised the requirement to develop a Physical Employment Standard (PES) for the Authorised Firearms Officer –Counter Terrorism (AFO-CT) role profile. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a job task analysis to identify the most critical and physically demanding tasks performed by AFO-CT personnel. METHODS: A focus group and online survey were undertaken to identify a list of job tasks. The down-selected job tasks were objectively monitored during training events to determine the most physically demanding tasks. Tasks were ranked by physical demand and additional factors (e.g., operational …load, primary physical actions). Down-selected tasks were then included in a Subject Matter Experts (SME) task scenario generation workshop. The physiological demands of the resulting standardised scenarios were determined. RESULTS: The focus group (n  = 11) identified 13 physically demanding and critical role-related tasks. The subsequent survey (n  = 907) down-selected eight tasks with a ‘moderate’ demand or greater. Thirty AFO-CT personnel completed the eight tasks as part of routine training events. From the observed tasks, four tasks were down-selected and combined into two operationally relevant, reasonable worst-case standardised scenarios during a SME workshop. The two scenarios, ‘Conduct Armed Search in the Open for an Active Shooter’ and ‘Victim Focussed Emergency Search’ were used in subsequent phases of the research to form the basis of the AFO-CT PES. CONCLUSION: This research elucidated the most physically demanding job tasks within the AFO-CT role profile to inform the development of a MOD armed policing PES. Show more

Keywords: Physical employment standards, police, fitness, occupational demands, occupational science, physical capacity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230246

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1223-1234, 2024

Authors: Canetti, Elisa F.D. | Gersbach-Seib, Ashlee | Moore, Ryan | Schram, Ben | Orr, Robin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Within individual policing organisations, there are a wide variety of units and job roles. OBJECTIVE: To profile the occupational tasks performed by Australian mounted police officers, aiming to offer conditioning insight into this unique job role. METHODS: Thirteen fully qualified and operational mounted police officers (n  = 11 females), who served in the mounted police unit for ∼3.3 (±2.3) years, participated in this observational cohort study. Participants completed a survey outlining common occupational tasks and were monitored throughout four consecutive shifts. Participants’ heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and skin temperature (ST) data were collected via …wearable monitoring (Equivital EQ-02, Hidalgo, UK) and body position, physical activity undertaken, task effort, and load carriage were recorded by researchers. A one-way ANOVA was used to assess mean differences in physiological measures between the three most reported tasks. RESULTS: Survey identified 130 tasks, with 38 listed as most common. The three most reported mounted police tasks were: ‘horse riding’ (n  = 13, 34%), ‘mounted patrols’ (n  = 10, 26%), and ‘horse care’ (n  = 10, 26%). These were also reported as the most physically demanding. HR during ‘horse care’ and ‘horse riding’ were significantly higher than when ‘mounted patrolling’ (27±7bpm, p  = 0.001 and 33±8bpm; p  = 0.001, respectively). Mean RR was higher when ‘horse riding’ when compared to ‘horse care’ (5.3±1.6brpm) and ‘mounted patrol’ (8.5±1.9brpm). CONCLUSION: Mounted police officers experience unique physiological challenges throughout their routine occupational tasks. This study highlights the significance of understanding occupation-specific tasks and stressors undertaken by mounted police to develop relevant conditioning, rehabilitation, and monitoring procedures. Show more

Keywords: Heart rate, tactical, horse, physiological monitoring, duties

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230283

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1235-1244, 2024

Authors: Milligan, Gemma | O’Halloran, Joseph | Tipton, Mike

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Offshore wind technicians (WTs) have been identified as having an occupation with varying physical demands. Therefore, in order to assess WTs capability to undertake the job, there was a need to identify and quantify the physical requirements of the essential tasks. OBJECTIVE: To establish the essential tasks and quantify the associated minimum physical demands of being an offshore WT. METHODS: Wind Farm organisations (n  = 10) across five countries, undertook a multi-modal observational approach comprising of semi-structured interviews (n  = 45), focus groups (n  = 14), survey (n  = 167). In addition, observations, objective measurements, video footage and standard …operating procedures were reviewed. A service campaign was broken down into component tasks, and analysed in terms of technical specifications, e.g. equipment, frequency, duration, rest breaks, clothing ensembles, and the methods of best practice for undertaking each of the tasks. Task descriptions were produced and minimum performance standards recommended. RESULTS: The job tasks associated with WTs can be broken down into two categories and five areas of work (Essential infrequent = casualty evacuation and prolonged ladder climbing; Essential frequent = short ladder climbs, manual handling and working in restricted spaces). CONCLUSIONS: The results presented constitute work carried out in Phases 1 and 2 of a three phased work programme to establish a physical employment standard required by WTs working in offshore wind. These findings will underpin the development of a minimum performance standard for the global offshore wind industry. Show more

Keywords: Physical capacity assessments, physical employment standards, minimum physical performance, physical demands

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230267

Citation: Work, vol. 77, no. 4, pp. 1245-1259, 2024