Overall studies showed that nursing activities conferred increased risk for , and were associated with back disorders regardless of nursing technique , personal characteristics , and non-work-related factors .
Patient h and ling appears to confer the highest risk , but other nursing duties are also associated with elevated risk , and confound dose – response assessment s related to patient h and ling alone .
A threshold of nursing activities below which the risk of back disorders is not elevated has not been established .
Abstract Background : Although non-specific low back pain ( LBP ) is known to be multifactorial , studies from across the globe have documented their higher prevalence in nurses .
This systematic review was conducted to ascertain whether this much-documented association constitutes a causal relationship , and whether there is a discernible threshold of exposures associated with this elevated risk .
Electromyography as a measure of peak and cumulative workload in intermediate care and its relationship to musculoskeletal injury: an exploratory ergonomic study.
Injury rates in Intermediate Care ( IC ) facilities are high and the factors related to these injuries are unclear . The objectives of this exploratory sub- study , which is part of a large multi-faceted study in 8 IC facilities are to : ( 1 ) evaluate  EMG measured over a full-shift in the back and shoulders of 32 care aides ( CAs ) as an indicator of peak and cumulative workload ( n = 4 x 8 facilities ) ; investigate the relationship between EMG measures and injury indicators ; and explore the relationship between EMG measures and other workload measurements . Lumbar EMG  was converted to predicted cumulative spinal compression  and ranged in CAs from 11.7 to 22.8 MNs with a mean of 16.4 MNs . Average compression was significantly different during different periods of the day ( p < 0.001 ) with highest compression during pre-breakfast when CAs assist most with activities of daily living . Significant differences were found in average compression between low and high injury facilities for 3 of 5 periods of the day ( p < 0.010 ) . Peak compressions exceeding 3400 N occurred for very little of the workday ( e.g. 11.25s during the 75 min period pre-breakfast ) . Peak neck/shoulder muscle activity is low ( 99 % APDF ranged from 8.33 % to 28 % MVC ) . Peak and cumulative spinal compression were significantly correlated with lost-time and musculoskeletal injury rates as well as with total tasks observed in the CAs ( p < 0.01 ) . Perceived exertion was only correlated with peak compressions ( p < 0.01 ) . Facilities with low injury rates provided significantly more CAs ( p < 0.01 ) to meet resident needs , and subsequently CAs performed fewer tasks , result ing in less peak and cumulative spinal loading over the day
Overall studies showed that nursing activities conferred increased risk for , and were associated with back disorders regardless of nursing technique , personal characteristics , and non-work-related factors .
Patient h and ling appears to confer the highest risk , but other nursing duties are also associated with elevated risk , and confound dose – response assessment s related to patient h and ling alone .
A threshold of nursing activities below which the risk of back disorders is not elevated has not been established .
Abstract Background : Although non-specific low back pain ( LBP ) is known to be multifactorial , studies from across the globe have documented their higher prevalence in nurses .
This systematic review was conducted to ascertain whether this much-documented association constitutes a causal relationship , and whether there is a discernible threshold of exposures associated with this elevated risk .