bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Musculoskeletal symptoms in support staff in a large	telecommunication company
Authors: Fagarasanu Mircea , Kumar Shrawan 
Published: December 2024

Primary objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent and severity of the musculoskeletal problems in office workers in a telecommunication company. Research design: A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders' symptoms, their perceived intensity and interaction with ability to work among office workers. Methods and procedures: The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire developed by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory at Cornell University were used on a sample of 140 office workers in a telecommunication company. Main outcomes and results: Discomfort/pain/ache at the wrist level was reported by 86.5% for the left side and 95.5% for the right side. Additionally, discomfort/pain/ache was reported by 77.5% of the sample for neck and 31% of the sample for the left and 50% for the right shoulder region. At the hand site, the area in the distal proximity of the wrist was the most affected site being indicated in 90% of cases for left side and 95% of cases for the right side. Conclusions: An overview of problems associated with the body parts in office work may allow targeted prevention and intervention.
Individuals with disabilities perceptions on preparedness for the	workforce and factors that limit employment
Authors: Schmidt Mary Agnes , Smith Diane L. 
Published: December 2024

Objectives: This research sought to identify the perceptions of individuals with disabilities regarding employment, how prepared they felt for the workforce, and what the limiting factors that affected employment were. Methods: Students from a local center for independent living's College for Living classes completed 60 surveys containing yes-no and Likert scale questions during their regularly scheduled class time. Results: Sixty-seven percent of individuals would like to attend a course to improve their skills. 82% of individuals who had participated in employment programs felt they had the necessary skills to work while 35.3% of those who did not attend employment programs felt they had the necessary skills. Transportation and disability status were the mostly frequently mentioned limiting factors to employment. Conclusions: Generally, individuals who had either participated in an employment program were less likely to report barriers to their participation in employment than those who had never attended an employment program.
Undergraduate college students' upper extremity symptoms and	functional limitations related to computer use: A replication study
Authors: Jenkins Mark , Menéndez Cammie Chaumont , Amick, III Benjamin C. , Tullar Jessica , Hupert Nathaniel , Robertson Michelle M. , Katz Jeffrey N. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To replicate Hupert et al.'s [5] evaluation of computer-related upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, functional limitations, academic performance impact, medication use and health services utilization among a college student population. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional survey of undergraduate students living in a single residential dormitory at a private southwestern university who agreed to participate completed the College Computing & Health Survey in the Spring of 2001. Results: Of the 127 dormitory residents, 116 students participated and 54% reported experiencing symptoms associated with computer usage. Sixty-two percent of students surveyed experienced functional limitations. More women than men reported symptoms, functional limitations and neck and shoulder pain; those with functional limitations reported higher use of medications than other participants. Conclusion: These findings, which match the general findings of the previous research study conducted with the same instrument but in a different college student population, suggest a high level of computer-use-related musculoskeletal symptoms among college students. Universities may want to consider providing ergonomic training designed for college students to: conduct workstation assessments; identify computer related problems (risk factors); and, propose ergonomic solutions.
Assessment of physical exposures and comparison of exposure	definitions in a repetitive sawmill occupation: Trim-saw operator
Authors: Jones Troy , Kumar Troy 
Published: December 2024

This paper describes the physical exposures required to perform a sawmill job associated with a high incidence of upper extremity musculoskeletal injury. Exposure variables are described by multiple posture, exertion and frequency definitions and the comparability of those definitions are examined. Effective industrial prevention efforts require an accurate assessment of risk. Surface electromyography and electrogoniometry were used to quantify the physical exposures of 29 trim-saw operators in four sawmill facilities. Average wrist ranges of motion of 32, 57 and 58 degrees in wrist radial/ulnar deviation, flexion/extension and pronation/supination respectively were required to perform the job. Defining wrist range of motion by the peak postures observed versus those required to perform the primary task resulted in significantly different ranges of motion (p<0.05). Job performance required an average of 33% of maximum voluntary contraction. Repetitions per day ranged from 3,549 to 14,460. Percentage of maximum voluntary contraction was not associated with psychophysical measures of exertion.
A multi-method study evaluating computing-related risk factors	among college students
Authors: Menéndez Cammie Chaumont , Amick III Benjamin C. , Jenkins Mark , Janowitz Ira , Rempel David M. , Robertson Michelle , Dennerlein Jack T. , Chang Che-Hsu (Joe) , Katz Jeffrey N. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To characterize undergraduate computer use using different data collection methods, emphasizing computing-related postures, use patterns and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms. Subjects and methods: In Spring, 2004, undergraduate students from a single dormitory at a private university agreed to complete a College Computing & Health Survey. For three separate data collection periods each lasting a week, we observed postures during computer once per period and continuously measured computer input device usage. During these three periods, students self-reported computer usage and symptoms 3–5 times daily. Results: Thirty students participated and all completed the study. Eighty-six percent reported ever experiencing symptoms after computer work. There were no time-related trends across data collection periods for posture, symptoms, and computing activities and patterns. Typed work and communicating (when compared with playing games) were usually the predominant computing activities throughout the semester. There was significantly greater self-reported computer use than that directly measured (p<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study that utilized several methods of exposure assessment to describe computing postures, use patterns and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among a college student cohort. Epidemiological studies need to explore time-related changes such as time of day, weekday, and days into the semester to further understand symptoms, posture, and computer use changes.
The effect of ergonomic intervention on neck/shoulder and low back	pain
Authors: Grooten Wilhelmus Johannes Andreas , Mulder Marie , Wiktorin Christina 
Published: December 2024

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of two types of ergonomic intervention on pain and pain-related disability in the neck/shoulder and low back regions. A cohort of 492 subjects of various occupations with non-specific neck/shoulder or low back pain was followed over a five to six year period. The study subjects were classified into four intervention groups: no ergonomic intervention, educational worksite intervention, workplace intervention, and combined workplace and educational worksite intervention. The group with no ergonomic intervention was used as the reference group. The changes in pain intensity and pain-related disability from baseline to follow-up in each of the three groups with intervention were compared to the changes in the reference group. During the follow-up, 39% of the subjects had received ergonomic intervention. The average change in pain intensity and pain-related disability was smaller in the educational worksite intervention group than in the reference group. The average reduction of pain intensity and pain-related disability did not differ between the two other intervention groups and the reference group. Thus, for subjects still at work, ergonomic intervention seemed to be ineffective for reducing neck/shoulder and low back pain and pain-related disability.
Contribution of mental workload to job stress in industrial	workers
Authors: González-Muñoz Elvia Luz , Gutiérrez-Martínez Rodolfo E. 
Published: December 2024

This study's central objective is to determine how several individual, organizational and ergonomic factors influence the relationship between job stress and mental workload for workers in an electronics company. A cross-sectional study was made as a test of hypotheses regarding that relationship. The sample is composed of 95 workers, of both sexes, from the electronics industry in the metropolitan zone of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Ergonomic conditions were evaluated with the Ergonomic Evaluation List, stress was evaluated by administering the SWS-Survey to groups of subjects, and mental workload was evaluated with the NASA-TLX Workload Index. Using Cochran's and Mantel-Haenzsel statistics, the odds ratio for each of the independent variables was {e}stimated as a risk factor for job stress, and analysis was later conducted by means of logistic regression for those risks found to be significant. Of the 95 worker participants, 26.3% presented a high level of job stress and 17.9% of the workers were found to present high levels of mental workload. The results show that working hours, mental demand, temporal demand, and frustration when faced with a given task may be considered risk factors for job stress.
Preparing for work practice: Under- and postgraduate student	training at the University of Pretoria (South Africa)
Authors: Buys Tania , Casteleijn Daleen 
Published: December 2024

South Africa has experienced much new legislation since the restoration of democracy in 1994 which has had widespread influences on education. Past and current teaching strategies of occupational therapy training at the University of Pretoria have included the training of students in vocational rehabilitation (or work practice). The influence of these new laws on training is discussed. An outline of the undergraduate and postgraduate modules presented at the University of Pretoria is presented in this paper. The authors wish to share the training of vocational rehabilitation with other educators as this training program seems to be very successful in South Africa.
Employment status of women with disabilities from the Behavioral	Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (1995–2002)
Authors: Smith Diane Lynn 
Published: December 2024

Among working aged adults (18–64) with disabilities, three out of 10 (32%) work full or part-time, compared to eight out of 10 (81%) of those without disabilities [9]. In addition, 24.7% of women with a severe disability and 27.8% of men with a severe disability are employed, while women with a non-severe disability have an employment rate of 68.4% and men with a non-severe disability have an employment rate of 85.1% [14]. This study examined data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey from 1995–2002 to determine whether or not disparities exist in the rate of unemployment for women with disabilities, compared to men with disabilities and women and men without disabilities. In addition, regression analysis looked at the how disability and gender predict the outcome of unemployment. Results showed that there has been essentially no change with regard to employment for any of these populations. In addition, disability and gender were found to be the strongest predictors of unemployment for women with disabilities. Possible explanations were discussed as to the reasons for the results and issues were presented for future research.
Does self-efficacy predict return-to-work after sickness absence?	A prospective study among 930 employees with sickness absence for three weeks	or more
Authors: Labriola Merete , Lund Thomas , Christensen Karl B. , Albertsen Karen , Bültmann Ute , Jensen Jette N. , Villadsen Ebbe 
Published: December 2024

Aim: To compare levels of self-efficacy among the general working population and employees with sickness absence from work, and to examine if general self-efficacy measured before occurrence of sickness absence predicted subsequent onset of sickness absence and Return-to-Work. Methods: The study follows a cohort of 5357 working employees and 106 long-term sickness absent employees in Denmark. They were interviewed in 2000 regarding self-efficacy and various co-variates, and followed for 78 weeks in a national sickness absence register. Cox regression analysis was performed in order to assess the effect of self-efficacy on Return-to- Work after sickness absence. Results: General self-efficacy was significantly lower among those with sickness absence compared to the general working population. Self-efficacy showed no statistically significant association with later onset of sickness absence or with Return-to-Work. Conclusion: The results may suggest that lower self-efficacy among employees with sickness absence is a result of the sickness absence itself rather than a precursor of it. This indicates a need to investigate the potential change in self-efficacy in relation to the employee's change in labor market status; this will help to focus Return-to-Work interventions where planning has to be attentive towards the change in self-efficacy that can occur after onset of disease and sickness absence.
Effects of government policies on the work of home care personnel	and their occupational health and safety
Authors: Cloutier Esther , David Hélène , Ledoux Élise , Bourdouxhe Madeleine , Gagnon Isabelle , Ouellet François 
Published: December 2024

The health sector in Québec (Canada) is dealing with profound macro-economic and macro-organizational changes. This article is interested in the impact of these changes on the work of home health aides (HHAs) and home care nurses and their occupational health and safety (OHS). The study was carried out in the home care services (HCS) of four local community service centres (CLSC) with different organizational characteristics. It is based on an analysis by triangulation of 66 individual and group interviews, 22 observed workdays and 35 observed multidisciplinary or professional meetings, as well as on administrative documents. HHAs are experiencing an erosion of their job because the relational and affective aspects of their work are disappearing. This may be due to an increase in their physical workload, leading to an increase in musculoskeletal problems and, to a lesser extent, in psychological health problems. Nurses are seeing an increase in the volume of invisible work that they have to do, which also has the effect of decreasing the relational aspects of their activity. The increasingly numerous psychological health problems are the consequence of this change in their profession. This study also shows that managers' decisions at the local level can reduce or increase the work constraints of HHAs and nurses. Examples of good practices for HHAs are the stabilization of clienteles and the possibility of organizing their itinerary, while for nurses, it is in how clientele follow-up tools are implemented. This article discusses the effects of government policies and decisions on the work and OHS of home care personnel. To address this subject, we use a specific analysis of the workload of home health aides (HHAs) and nurses. We will show the relationships between managers' organizational choices to respond to governmental constraints and the resulting work changes. We will also look at their consequences on occupational health and safety (OHS) and on the work of different personnel.
Multi-professional vocational rehabilitation group meetings with	female clients: A qualitative study
Authors: Jakobsson Björn , Bergroth Alf , Ekholm Jan , Ekholm Kristina Schüldt , Svedlund Marianne 
Published: December 2024

Many women require vocational rehabilitation before they can return to work. The objective with the present study was to describe female clients' situation during the rehabilitation process, as it became apparent during the rehabilitation meetings with the various actors involved. The clients' diagnoses varied, but the majority was affected with musculoskeletal disorders. The meetings were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim, after which they were analysed by qualitative content analysis. The following themes emerged: Adaptation to the rehabilitation group; client's health status; the workplace's significance for rehabilitation; and the client's decision-point. Conflict between health and work was immensely important for rehabilitation. Differences in attitude were apparent during the rehabilitation meetings, as some clients were passive and exercised less influence on the planning, than the other more active clients did.
Which work factors determine job satisfaction?
Authors: Roelen C.A.M. , Koopmans P.C. , Groothoff J.W. 
Published: December 2024

Background: Job satisfaction is associated with mental health. Employees could be counselled on how they feel about their work. If specific aspects of their job are causing particular dissatisfaction, they could be assisted to appropriately change these aspects. Objective: There is no 'gold standard' indicating the aspects that should be taken into account when job satisfaction is measured. This study investigated which work factors determine job satisfaction. Method: A self-report questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 822 out of 1908 active employees. The questionnaire examined overall job satisfaction as well as satisfaction with specific work aspects using valid single-item measures. Results: The response rate was 63%. Overall job satisfaction was 5.3 ± 1.3 on a Likert-scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The work factors explained 54% of the variance in job satisfaction. Specific satisfaction with task variety, colleagues, working conditions, and workload were positively related to overall job satisfaction, as were career perspectives and job autonomy. Conclusion: Task variety, working conditions, workload, and career perspectives determine the greater part of job satisfaction. An instrument including these factors would provide beneficial information beyond current measures of job satisfaction.
Balancing health, work, and daily life: Design and evaluation of a	pilot intervention for persons with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Bedell Gary 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To design and evaluate a pilot intervention to promote self-management skills and work transition for persons with HIV/AIDS. The seven-week group intervention consisted of 1.5-hour bi-weekly sessions focused on goal setting and developing strategies to manage health, work and daily life routines while participating in a job skills training program in New York City. Methods: Six successive groups received the intervention over the course of two years (n = 53). Existing and newly-developed measures were used to examine key outcomes. Differences between pre-intervention and post-intervention scores on outcome measures were examined using paired-tests and effect sizes. Employment outcomes and participant satisfaction were examined post-intervention. Results: The intervention was feasible to implement and sessions were viewed favorably by the majority of participants. Moderate to large effect sizes were found immediately post-intervention in participants' perceived ability to work and balance health, work and daily life. Fifty two percent of the participants were working part or full time and 41% were actively searching for employment at three to five months follow-up. Small effect sizes demonstrating improved outcomes at follow-up were found in symptom severity, self-advocacy and medication adherence self-efficacy. Small effect sizes demonstrating a potential decrement in outcomes at follow-up were found in participants' need satisfaction and perceived symptom impact on work performance. Conclusions: The results are promising, but further research is needed due to design limitations and the preliminary nature of the intervention and measures used. The potential decrement in outcomes might reflect a shift in participants' needs or view of how their health affected work performance and suggests that ongoing supports were needed post-intervention.
Health and disability pension – An intersection of disease,	psychosocial stress and gender. Long term follow up of persons with impairment	of the loco motor system
Authors: Kaiser Per-Olof , Mattsson Bengt , Marklund Staffan , Wimo Anders 
Published: December 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the outcome after 1, 2, 3 and 10 years of rehabilitation conducted by the Swedish Social Insurance Office, in relation to socioeconomic, psychosocial and gender aspects. Study design: A retro and prospective study of 372 individuals rehabilitated by the National Swedish Insurance Office 1993–1994. Diagnose, socio demographic data, Sense of Coherence and Perceived Health were compared with register data in terms of sickness benefit and disability pension up to 10 years. Results: At the 10 year follow up 52% of the men and 57% of the women were granted any kind of DP. 82% of the men with low PH and women with a PM or a low PH had any kind of benefit 10 year after rehabilitation started. High age and low PH increases the risk of a full DP after 3 as well as 10 years for both men and women. At the 3 year follow up however, low education was also important for a full DP for men and having a Psychosocial Marker for women. The factors civil status and kind of profession did not significantly relate to a full DP after 10 year. Conclusions: In different ways factors as age, education, psychosocial stress, Sense of Coherence and Perceived Health mediate the rehabilitation process in significant ways by affecting the manifestation of the disease itself and/or via the context in which the rehabilitation takes place, in combination with individual factors that acts over a long time. Age and Perceived Health seems to be the most important factors of them all.
Initial development of a work-related assessment of dysexecutive	syndrome: The Complex Task Performance Assessment
Authors: Wolf Timothy J. , Morrison Tracy , Matheson Leonard 
Published: December 2024

This article describes the initial development of the Complex Task Performance Assessment (CTPA) as a work-related assessment of dysexecutive syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional case-control pilot study using the Complex Task Performance Assessment (CTPA) and a neuropsychological battery consisting of subtests from the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) were used with a population of adults with mild stroke and a control group of healthy community participants (n = 9). Results: A correlation matrix between the DKEFS and the CTPA found no significant relationships between overall performance efficiency on the CTPA compared to the DKEFS scaled scores. In contrast, four of the six variables tested on the CTPA were found to have significant differences between the mild stroke group and the controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The sensitivity of the CTPA in this pilot sample justifies future study to provide a link between traditional neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation professionals' observation of performance related to return to work. Neuroperformance assessment such as the CTPA will provide clinicians with a way to identify dysexecutive syndrome and higher-level cognitive processing deficits in the context of care.