Electromyographical Assessments of Recommended Neck and Trunk Positions for Dental Hygienists

Purpose: Dental professionals are recommended to limit neck and trunk flexion to within 20° of a neutral (0°) body posture, however empirical support for the recommendations is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in muscle workload between a range of neck and trunk postures in a population of dental hygiene students. Methods: Fifteen first semester senior dental hygiene students with no history of neck and trunk injury volunteered to participate. Surface electromyography was used to record muscle activity from two neck extensors muscles, cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius (UT), and two trunk extensor muscles, thoracic erector spinae (TES) and iliocostalis lumboruni (IL). Participants performed ten conditions, including five neck flexion angles (0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°) and five trunk flexion angles (0°,10°, 20°, 30°, 40°). For each trial, posture was checked with a goniometer and maintained for 20s. Muscle activity for each muscle was normalized to the individual\u27s maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Results: Activity of the CES was significantly lower in the neutral position than all flexed neck positions. Activation of the UT increased with neck flexion but required 30° of flexion to differ significantly from the neutral position. Activity of the TES required 20° of trunk flexion to differ significantly from neutral and IL activity in the neutral position was significantly lower than all other trunk flexion conditions. Conclusion: Even small amounts of neck or trunk flexion (10°), within the recommended range (≤ 20°), can significantly increase the workload for some muscles in an oral health care provider

High-intensity tasks with external load in military applications: A review

© 2014 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. This article provides a synopsis of the limited investigations examining the impact of external load (EL) on performance of high-intensity tasks under load (HITL), EL training intervention effects on HITL performance, and injuries from EL training. Repetitive lifting tasks and initiation of locomotion, such as rapidly moving from a prone position to sprinting appear to be more hindered by EL than maximal sprinting velocity and may explain why training with EL does not improve obstacle course or prolonged (200–300 yard shuttle) drills. EL training appears to offer very little if any benefit for HITL in lesser trained populations. This contrast results of multiple studies incorporating ≥3 weeks of prolonged hypergravity interventions (wearing EL during daily activities) in elite anaerobic athletes, indicating EL training stimulus is likely only beneficial to well-trained soldiers. Women and lesser trained individuals appear to be more susceptible to increased injury with EL training. A significant limitation concerning current HITL knowledge is the lack of studies incorporating trained soldiers. Future investigations concerning the effects of HITL on marksmanship, repetitive lifting biomechanics, efficacy of hypergravity training for military personnel, and kinematics of sprinting from tactical positions with various EL displacements and technique training are warranted

An exploration of low back pain beliefs in a Northern America based general population

BACKGROUND: Prior research has demonstrated that people across different populations hold beliefs about low back pain (LBP) that are inconsistent with current evidence. Qualitative research is needed to explore current LBP beliefs in Northern America (NA). OBJECTIVES: We conducted a primarily qualitative cross-sectional online survey to assess LBP beliefs in a NA population (USA and Canada). METHODS: Participants were recruited online using social media advertisements targeting individuals in NA over the age of 18 with English speaking and reading comprehension. Participants answered questions regarding the cause of LBP, reasons for reoccurrence or persistence of LBP, and sources of these beliefs. Responses were analyzed using conventional (inductive) content analysis. RESULTS/FINDINGS: 62 participants were included with a mean age of 47.6 years. Most participants reported multiple causes for LBP as well as its persistence and reoccurrence, however, these were biomedically focused with minimal to no regard for psychological or environmental influences. The primary cited source of participants' beliefs was healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings align with prior research from other regions, demonstrating a need for updating clinical education and public messaging about the biopsychosocial nature of LBP

Emergency Department Patients’ COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Self-Reported Barriers

Introduction: This study surveyed adult emergency department (ED) patients and the adult companions of pediatric patients to determine whether rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination were comparable to that of the general population in the region. This study also sought to identify self-reported barriers to vaccination and possible areas for intervention.Methods: A survey was administered to 607 adult ED patients or the adult companions of pediatric patients from three different regional hospitals to assess their COVID-19 vaccination status, COVID-19 vaccine barriers, and demographic information.Results: Of the 2,267 adult patients/companions considered for enrollment, we approached 730 individuals about participating in the study. Of the individuals approached, 607 (41% male; mean age 47.0+17.4 years) consented to participate. A total of 403 (66.4%) participants had received at least one vaccine dose as compared to 70% of the adult population in the county where the three hospitals were located. Of those, 382 (94.8%) were fully vaccinated and among the individuals who were partially vaccinated the majority (17 of 21) had an appointment for their second dose. Of those approached, 204 (33.6%) were not vaccinated, with 66 (10.9% of the total population) expressing an interest in becoming vaccinated while the remaining 138 did not want to be vaccinated. Of those who wanted to be vaccinated 32% were waiting for more safety data, and of those who did not want to be vaccinated 26% were concerned about side effects and risks and 28% were waiting for more safety data.Conclusion: Adult ED patients and adult companions of pediatric ED patients were vaccinated at a slightly lower rate than the general population in our county. A small but significant proportion of those who were unvaccinated expressed the desire to be vaccinated, indicating that the ED may be a suitable location to introduce a COVID-19 vaccination program.&nbsp