Ali Salehi Sahlabadi, Mohammad Hossein Vaziri, Vafa Feyzi, Mahdis Sobhanian, Fahimeh Vaziri, Mohammad Mohsen Roostayi, Zohreh Ahangari,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (4-2024)
Abstract
bjectives: Dentists, due to the nature of their work, are exposed to musculoskeletal disorders, which can affect the quality of their ability to provide effective services to patients. This study aimed to investigating the effects of educational and exercise interventions on reducing cervical and lumbar spine pain in dentists.
Methods: The present study is an interventional study that was conducted in 2022 among dentists of Educational clinics of universities medical sciences in Tehran city. Data collection was performed using demographic questionnaires, neck disability index, Oswestry Disability Index, and Visual Analog Scale. Comprehensive educational content that included ergonomic principles training, sports training and behavioral - health training was used. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 at two levels: descriptive statistics and analytical statistics.
Results: The research participants were 81 dentists student with an average working experience of 3.14 ± 1.58 years (mean ± SD). Among the participants, 32 individuals (39.5%) were male and 49 individuals (60.5%) were female. The results of the paired t-test showed that the interventions (education and exercise ) were significantly effective such that the amount of neck pain in the neck disability index level decreased by 4.44 and in the VAS level by 16.17 (P < 0.001).
Similarly, the amount of reduction in waist pain for the disability index was 4.98 and for VAS was 8.76 (P < 0.001).
Discussion: Based on the results obtained from this study, ergonomics intervention (educational and exercise) can reduce neck and back pain in dentists. Therefore, it is necessary to implement preventive measures such as ergonomic interventions and continuous training to minimize musculoskeletal disorders in dentists.
Mohammad Khandan, Alireza Koohpaei, Mina Kohansal Aghchay, Mohammad Hossein Ebrahimi, Alireza Khammar, Shahram Arsang Jang, Mohsen Poursadeghiyan,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (11-2017)
Abstract
Objectives: Nowadays, ports are considered a portal for business as well as the main infrastructure for economic development worldwide. Genetic predisposition, work activity and procedures, and psychosocial preparedness are the main factors responsible for the occurrence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs). The present study aimed to assess psychosocial variables affecting WMSDs in an Iranian port in 2015.
Methods: All workers of a port (n=60) located in the south of Iran were included in the present study. Job burnout and safety climate were assessed by MBI and SCQ, respectively. In addition, musculoskeletal disorders were reported by body map questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by ANOVA, logistic regression analysis, Pearson correlation, and t-test using SPSS V20.
Results: Based on the obtained data, 40 workers (66.7%) experienced musculoskeletal pain in at least one part of their bodies in the previous year. Also, job burnout score was 76.17±8.9 and safety climate was 188.7±23.07. Logistic regression revealed that job burnout, emotional fatigue (P<0.05), safety attitude, and emergency management are the most important predictors of WRMSDs.
Discussion: Psychological factors of workplaces include job burnout, employees’ attitude and safety climate that negatively affect ergonomic disorders. Since psychological and psycho-social issues are neglected in developing countries such as Iran, the researchers anticipate that the obtained results can be used as a guideline for policymakers as well as in the supportive and preventive arena for managing safety and health issues.
Mohammad Khandan, Shahram Vosoughi, Mohsen Poursadeghiyan, Farahnaz Azizi, Elaheh Ahounbar, Alireza Koohpaei,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (3-2018)
Abstract
Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a global problem which evolves at different workplaces such as industries, administrative, and agriculture sectors. In various studies, such disorders were assessed through multiple methods. It is necessary to evaluate different tools to use them in diverse communities. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the new ergonomic evaluating method of Novel Ergonomic Postural Assessment (NERPA) method in Iran.
Methods: The employees (n=455) of operational units of four companies (drug producers, printing and publishing houses, dairy, and drinks producers) were assessed in 2014. It was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study. One of the researchers developed a questionnaire that was applied to collect demographic data. The NERPA, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) methods were utilized to analyze posture risk factors. Spearman correlation and Kappa agreement were used to analyze the collected data through SPSS V22.
Results: Findings indicated that printing company had the best and pharmaceutical industries had the worst state regarding RULA’s results. The risk levels between NERPA and REBA were not statistically significant (P>0.05), however, that was significant with RULA’s outcome. Also, the results of NERPA and other two methods were correlated significantly (P<0.05). Pain in the lumbar area was implied to be the most prevalent problem (35.1%).
Discussion: Data of the present study suggest that NERPA method was a valid tool compared to RULA. The NERPA method could be used to evaluate standing tasks among industrial workers. However, the concurrent validity of NERPA method compared with results of REBA, as a widely used method, were not verified.
Yasser Labbafinejad, Mansour Eslami-Farsani, Saber Mohammadi, Mohamad Sadegh Ghasemi, Mahnoush Reiszadeh, Naser Dehghan,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (6-2019)
Abstract
Objectives: Mouse is one of the most important data entry devices for computers. Undesirable and prolonged postures during work with the computer mouse increase workload, muscle aches and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare muscle activity during the use of 4 types of mouse, including trackball, trackpad, slanted and standard by Electromyography (EMG).
Methods: This experimental study included 15 subjects (7 men and 8 women). The electrical activity of EDC, ECU, ECR, FDS, PQ, and FDL muscles was recorded by EMG while performing a standard task with each mouse. The order of using each mouse was randomized. The obtained results were analyzed by SPSS using the measures of central tendency, Friedman’s test, and Independent Samples t-test.
Results: The results of assessing the electrical activity level of muscles suggested no statistically significant difference in the recorded EMG between FPL, FDS, and PQ muscles while working with the 4 mice. The electrical activity reduced in EDC, ECR, and FPL muscles with the use of slanted mouse, compared to that of other mice (P<0.05).
Discussion: There was no significant differences between the electrical activity of FDS, FPL, and PQ muscles during work with the studied mice. Furthermore, the activity of EDC, ECR, and FPL muscles reduced during work with a slanted mouse, compared to the other types. The habit of using a new mouse can affect the level of muscle activity; thus, the use of a slanted mouse may reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in the wrist and hand of users in the long run.
Hamidreza Mokhtarinia, Mahta Rafinia, Akram Shahbazi, Mohammad Reza Khodaie Ardakani, Gholam Reza Ghaedamini Harouni, Charls Philip Gabel,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2020)
Abstract
Objectives: instruments and methods evaluate addiction to the Internet, mobile, and smartphone use. Subject-reported outcome measures, such as the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) assess such addiction. The objectives of this study were to cross-culturally adapt the SAS into Persian (SAS-Pr) and to evaluate the properties of reliability and validity in the Persian setting.
Methods: The English version of the SAS was translated into Persian according to the published guidelines, using forward-translation, synthesis, back translation, consolidated consensus translations from an expert committee, and in pilot-testing. The pilot trial was performed with recruited medical students (n=50) with an interview used to determine the comprehensibility, readability, understandability, interpretation, and cultural relevance of the questionnaire. A further sample of medical students (n=100) was recruited for test-retest reliability performed at baseline and 7-14 days later, using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) and internal consistency using Cronbach’s α.
Results: The translation of SAS-Pr was achieved with minimum difficulty. During this process, item 15 was revised and in items 24 and 25, the “telegram” phrase was added. The participants found the comprehensibility, readability, understandability, interpretation, and completeness of the questionnaire conclusive. Furthermore, high levels of test-retest reliability (ICC2,1=0.81) and internal consistency (α=0.948) were obtained.
Discussion: The SAS-Pr adaptation was successful and the translated version showed promising positive psychometric properties. The SAS-Pr can be applied in research settings and in identifying Persian-speaking people at risk of addiction to the smartphone.
Akram Shahbazi, Hamid Reza Mokhtarinia, Akbar Biglarian, Charles Philip Gabel,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (12-2020)
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to identify the annual and weekly prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and their relation to demographic characteristics, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), work experience, and physical activity in spinner workers in the textile industry. We also conducted a comparison between the annual and weekly prevalence of MSDs.
Methods: The study sample included 700 male spinner workers (Mean±SD age: 32.6±6.5 years) from 10 companies in Najaf Abad City, Isfahan Province, Iran. Information about MSDs was collected through the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (ENMQ) from November 2018 to September 2019. Demographic characteristics were collected using a demographic checklist through a direct interview by one investigator.
Results: The present study findings suggested that the Mean±SD duration of work hours per week was 56.6±8.4 hours. The Mean±SD times of experiencing an injury equaled 27.8±33.1 months. The annual prevalence of MSDs was reported to be 74.4% for at least one of the 9 body regions. The highest annual prevalence rates belonged to the knees (54.0%), lower back (34.3%), and shoulders (23.1%). In contrast, the most weekly prevalent regions were the knees (44.6%), lower back (26.9%), and ankles (15.9%). Generally, the weekly prevalence was significantly lower than that of the annual prevalence (P<0.008). Job experience, marital status, and physical exercise presented a significant relationship with the annual prevalence of MSDs in the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, knees, and ankle/foot. Contrarily, there was a significant relationship between job experience and the weekly prevalence of MSDs in the shoulder, lower back, and knee regions. The prevalence of neck, shoulders, wrists/hands, low back, knee, and ankle/foot pain was significantly increased in married workers. Furthermore, exercise history could cause a significant decrease in the prevalence of MSDs.
Discussion: The high prevalence of MSDs in spinner workers is affected by some demographic characteristics; thus, such data should be considered in planning the prevention strategies within the textile industry.
Mohd Mukhtar Alam, Abid Ali Khan,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
Objectives: This study presents a method of assessing muscle fatigue during endurance testing at 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using electromyography (EMG) information as indirect indices of fatigability in the forearm muscles, namely, flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS); flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU); extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB)." This study presents a method of assessing muscle fatigue during endurance testing at 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using electromyography (EMG) information as indirect indices of fatigability in the forearm muscles, namely, flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS); flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU); extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB).
Methods: A randomized comparative experimental design was used during endurance test with 8 VT protocols; based on different combinations of vibration frequency (35 & 45 Hz), amplitude (3±0.5g & 9±0.5g), and exposure duration (30 & 60 seconds), i.e., were given to the study participants for 4 days. A random sampling of participants was conducted from two groups (n=56/group), as follows: individuals with a Sedentary Lifestyle (SL) and a group of Construction Workers (CW).
Results: Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) results indicated a significant increase in EMG rms, median frequency, waveform length, mean absolute value (P<0.001), and the variance of EMG signal (P<0.05) (except in ECU for the SL group and ECRB for the CW group on the variance of EMG signal) after VT in all muscles of both research groups. Therefore, an increase in the EMG parameter value after a grip endurance task revealing an elevation in EMG signal amplitude is indicative of muscle fiber fatigue. Furthermore, the strongest correlation was found between grip endurance and WL (r=0.471, P<0.001), and EMG rms (r=0.401, P<0.001) of the ECU muscle in the SL group only.
Discussion: The patterns of EMG signal represented the amplitude and spectral parameters of the signal, enabling real-time fatigue analysis. Additionally, surface EMG information is useful for indirectly evaluating performance fatigue during the endurance test.
Kiana Hosseinzadeh, Iraj Mohammadfam, Ahmad Soltanzadeh, Alireza Soltanian,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (9-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to develop and create a tool based on factor analysis to assess safety culture in the processing industry.
Methods: This study was conducted in the petrochemical industry in 2021. The questionnaires were distributed among 312 employees, supervisors, and managers, and 308 of them were completed. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by content and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis), and its reliability was determined by calculating the internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s α) and conducting a pilot study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the relationship between the dimensions of safety culture and the dimensions themselves.
Results: The results showed that 62.4% of participants were under 45 years old and 71.2% of them had more than 10 years of work experience. The obtained content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) were 0.88 and 0.91, respectively. The results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that six questions were assigned to each dimension of safety culture in the questionnaire. The results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a P of 0.001 and the overall goodness index of root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.07 and the goodness indices of adaptive fit, including good fit index (GFI), comparative fit index (CFI), and normal fit index (NFI) were 0.95, 0.97, and 0.95, respectively.
Discussion: Based on the results, a safety culture assessment instrument was developed, including 10 dimensions and 60 items. The results of factor analysis showed that the built-in instrument is highly useful to assess safety culture. In addition, these results showed that safety culture has the strongest relationship with the priority of focusing on health, safety, and environment (HSE) and the weakest relationship with the dimension of collaboration and involvement.
Coresponding author: Iraj Mohammadfam, E-mail: mohammadfam@umsha.ac.ir
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Pardis Ziaeefar, Hossein Hatami, Davoud Panahi, Mohsen Poursadeghiyan, Ali Salehi Sahlabadi,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Considering the high prevalence of neck pain among dental professionals, as well as its adverse effects on the work activities and quality of life of dentists, this study investigates the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dental students in addition to the relationship between the severity of neck pain and the ability to perform work.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 108 senior dental students and residents participated. The data were collected through four questionnaires, including body map, neck pain and disability scale, neck disability index and work ability index. The data were analyzed through the SPSS software, version 25. Meanwhile, a P<0.05 was considered a significance level.
Results: In this study, 85 out of 180 individuals (87.7%) experienced at least one musculoskeletal disorder. The most reported pain was in the neck (45.4%), back (36.1%), and right shoulder (31.5%), respectively. There was a relatively positive and significant relationship between neck pain intensity and inability to perform daily work (R=0.717, P≤0.01). Also, there was a reverse and significant relationship between neck pain intensity and the ability to work (R=0.384, P≤0.01).
Discussion: Musculoskeletal disorders are high among dental students and residents in universities of Tehran City, Iran. Meanwhile, neck pain is the most common disorder. The existence of this disorder affects the daily ability to work, which can reduce productivity, increase sick leave, and ultimately premature retirement.
Soleiman Ramezanifar, Ali Askari, Mohsen Poursadeghiyan, Mahshid Namdari, Ali Salehi Sahlabadi,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: The working situation of railway traffic control rooms (RTCR) employees makes them susceptible to human error. On the other hand, the occurrence of human error by these staff can lead to catastrophic events. Due to the lack of a standard questionnaire in estimating the probability of monthly human errors in employees of the RTCR, this study designs and validates such a tool.
Methods: In this mixed-method research, an initial questionnaire of 67 questions was designed, using the literature review and experts’ experiences. To standardize and validate this questionnaire, the opinions of 15 experts, including university professors and experienced people working in control rooms were used. To determine the validity of the questionnaire, two indexes content validity index and content validity ratio were used. Meanwhile, to check the reliability, the weighted kappa coefficient was used.
Results: All the initial questions were accepted and a final questionnaire with 67 questions was compiled in two sections for employees of the central control room and employees working in other RTCR. The content validity index values of the questionnaire were 0.9, 0.9 and 0.92 in terms of simplicity, relevancy and clarity, respectively. The content validity ratio value was 0.87. The reliability of this questionnaire was also confirmed by obtaining 73.71%, 87.14% and 80.31% for the minimum, maximum and average percentage of agreement between the questions, respectively.
Discussion: The designed questionnaire can estimate the probability of monthly human errors among RTCR employees and can be used in future studies.
