Spinal Kinematic Variability Is Increased In People With Chronic Low Back Pain During A Repetitive Lifting Task

Changes in spinal kinematic variability have been observed in people with chronic non-specific LBP (CNSLBP) during the performance of various repetitive functional tasks. However, the direction of these changes (i.e., less or more kinematic variability) is still not established. This study aimed to assess differences in kinematic variability of the 3D angular displacement of thoracic and lumbar spinal segments in people with CNSLBP compared to asymptomatic individuals during a repetitive lifting task. Eleven people with CNSLBP and eleven asymptomatic volunteers performed 10 cycles of multi-planar lifting movements while spinal kinematics were recorded. For the three planes of motion, point-by-point standard deviations (SDs) were computed across all cycles of lifting and the average was calculated as a measure of kinematic variability for both segments. People with CNSLBP displayed higher thoracic (F= 8.00, p=0.010, ηp2=0.286) and lumbar kinematic variability (F= 5.48, p=0.030, ηp2=0.215) in the sagittal plane. Moreover, group differences were observed in the transversal plane for thoracic (F= 7.62, p=0.012, ηp2=0.276) and lumbar kinematic variability (F= 5.402, p=0.031, ηp2=0.213), as well as in the frontal plane for thoracic (F= 7.27, p=0.014, ηp2=0.267) and lumbar kinematic variability (F= 6.11, p=0.022, ηp2=0.234) all showing higher variability in those with CNSLBP. A significant main effect of group (p<0.05) was not detected for spinal range of motion (ROM). Interestingly, people with CNSLBP completed the lifting task with the same ROM in all three planes of motion as observed for asymptomatic individuals, yet they performed the lifting task with higher spinal kinematic cycle-to-cycle variation

Factors Affecting the Satisfaction of Women Employees in Health Sector: A Perception Study in Saudi Arabia

Rawan M Maawadh,1 Thekra N Al-Maqati,1 Maryam Hamad Alenezi,2 Eman Alenezi,3 Amal Alsubaie,4 Amal Mohsen Alghamdi,5 Afrah AlSubaie,6 Mashael Mufleh Alruwaili,7 Haya Ali AlAnazi,7 Entisar Albugami,8 Naifah Ahmed Alanazi,9 Khaled Ahmed Alhmdan,10 Fahad Farhan Alshammari,11 Abeer Madkhali12 1Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Science, Dammam, 31448, Saudi Arabia; 2Medical Admin & Excellence Allowance Committee Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 3Preventive Medicine Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 4Family Medicine Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 5Internal Medicine Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 6Urology and Nephrology Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 7Patient Education Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 8Family Medicine Department, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 9Cardiac Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 10Health Informatics Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 11Laboratory Department, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 12Quality and Patient Safety Administration Department, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Rawan M Maawadh, Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Science, P.O. Box 33048, Dammam, 31448, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Broad evidence points out that women workers in Saudi Arabia face a range of inequitable work practices despite continued efforts for gender equality. The study aims to assess the satisfaction of Saudi women working in the health sector among certain factors in the work environment, factors that enable them to gain opportunities and benefits and make decisions.Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, which involved the use of closed-ended surveys on 261 Saudi women working in the healthcare sector.Results: Most of the females were aged between 25 and 34 years (59%) and more than half of them worked in the governmental sector (53%). Fifty-eight percent of the females hold clinical jobs, 25% of the administrative jobs were 37% of them have more than 19 years of working experience. The finding showed a significant association between female workers in health sector satisfaction with factors related to the workplace environment, training, and development, and their involvement in decision-making.Conclusion: Most women felt empowered when they received equitable tasks and were able to reach managerial-level positions in their organizations. Establishing a positive work environment characterized by opportunities has the potential to enhance women workers’ satisfaction.Keywords: satisfaction, woman, education, training, opportunitie

Group and common factors in mindfulness-based programs: a selective review and implications for teachers.

Objectives Change factors common across psychosocial interventions, including those relating to group treatments, are often not addressed within research into mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs). Here we present how consideration of these factors can be beneficial for both mindfulness teachers and researchers. Methods This article is a selective review of relevant common factors and small group treatment research and practitioner literature, using the framework of Burlingame et al.’s (2013) small group treatment model. This model encompasses emergent and imposed structure, formal change theory, foundational social processes and emergent process, as well as teacher and client effects. Extant qualitative and quantitative research and key practitioner literature into MBPs is included, and implications for mindfulness teachers both from the wider framework of common and group factors, as well as from MBP research itself, are outlined. Results Participant expectations and preferences may play a role in supporting good outcomes and course continuation in MBPs, but more research is needed. Participants and practitioners describe the importance of the group crucible, including the experience of common humanity and connection, and group composition may impact this. Group size is under researched and it is unclear what influence this may have on effectiveness. Surprisingly, research thus far has not found a reliable link between participant outcome and teacher competence, though embodiment is considered key by practitioners, trainers and participants. Conclusions Future research should focus on the role of expectations, alliance, the group context and group size as well as finding innovative ways to further understand MBP teacher competence