Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities among drivers of all-terrain vehicles – a case series

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to investigate whether professional drivers of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with neck pain have a different array of neuromusculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities than a referent group with neck pain from the general population. It is hypothesized that exposure to shock-type vibration and unfavorable working postures in ATVs have the capacity to cause peripheral nervous lesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was based on a case series analyzed according to a case-case comparison design. The study population consisted of 60 male subjects, including professional drivers of forest machines (n = 15), snowmobiles (n = 15), snowgroomers (n = 15) and referents from the general population (n = 15) all of whom had reported neck pain in a questionnaire and underwent an extensive physical examination of the neck and upper extremities. Based on symptom history, symptoms and signs, and in some cases chemical, electroneurographical and radiological findings, subjects were classified as having a nociceptive or neuropathic disorder or a mix of these types.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The occurrence of asymmetrical and focal neuropathies (peripheral nervous lesion), pure or in a mix with a nociceptive disorder was common among cases in the ATV driver groups (47%–79%). This contrasted with the referents that were less often classified as having asymmetrical and focal neuropathy (27%), but instead had more nociceptive disorders. The difference was most pronounced among drivers of snowgroomers, while drivers of forest machines were more frequently classified as having a nociceptive disorder originating in the muscles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study found a high prevalence of assymetrical and focal neuropathies among drivers with pain in the neck, operating various ATVs. It seems as if exposure to shock-type whole-body vibration (WBV) and appurtenant unfavorable postures in ATVs may be associated to peripheral nervous lesions.</p

Telehealthcare in COPD: A systematic review and meta-analysis on physical outcomes and dyspnea

SummaryBackgroundOnly a minority of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have access to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Home-based solutions such as telehealthcare, have been used in efforts to make PR more available. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of telehealthcare on physical activity level, physical capacity and dyspnea in patients with COPD, and to describe the interventions used.MethodsRandomized controlled trials were identified through database searches, reference lists and included authors. Articles were reviewed based on eligibility criteria by three authors. Risk of bias was assessed by two authors. Standardized mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD) with 95% CI were calculated. Forest plots were used to present data visually.ResultsNine studies (982 patients) were included. For physical activity level, there was a significant effect favoring telehealthcare (MD, 64.7 min; 95% CI, 54.4–74.9). No difference between groups was found for physical capacity (MD, −1.3 m; 95% CI, −8.1–5.5) and dyspnea (SMD, 0.088; 95% CI, −0.056–0.233). Telehealthcare was promoted through phone calls, websites or mobile phones, often combined with education and/or exercise training. Comparators were ordinary care, exercise training and/or education.ConclusionsThe use of telehealthcare may lead to improvements in physical activity level, although the results should be interpreted with caution given the heterogeneity in studies. This is an important area of research and further studies of the effect of telehealthcare for patients with COPD would be beneficial.RegistrationIn PROSPERO 2012: CRD42012003294. Study protocol: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPEROFILES/3294_PROTOCOL_20121016.pdf

Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities among drivers of all-terrain vehicles – a case series

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether professional drivers of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with neck pain have a different array of neuromusculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities than a referent group with neck pain from the general population. It is hypothesized that exposure to shock-type vibration and unfavorable working postures in ATVs have the capacity to cause peripheral nervous lesions. METHODS: This study was based on a case series analyzed according to a case-case comparison design. The study population consisted of 60 male subjects, including professional drivers of forest machines (n = 15), snowmobiles (n = 15), snowgroomers (n = 15) and referents from the general population (n = 15) all of whom had reported neck pain in a questionnaire and underwent an extensive physical examination of the neck and upper extremities. Based on symptom history, symptoms and signs, and in some cases chemical, electroneurographical and radiological findings, subjects were classified as having a nociceptive or neuropathic disorder or a mix of these types. RESULTS: The occurrence of asymmetrical and focal neuropathies (peripheral nervous lesion), pure or in a mix with a nociceptive disorder was common among cases in the ATV driver groups (47%–79%). This contrasted with the referents that were less often classified as having asymmetrical and focal neuropathy (27%), but instead had more nociceptive disorders. The difference was most pronounced among drivers of snowgroomers, while drivers of forest machines were more frequently classified as having a nociceptive disorder originating in the muscles. CONCLUSION: This study found a high prevalence of assymetrical and focal neuropathies among drivers with pain in the neck, operating various ATVs. It seems as if exposure to shock-type whole-body vibration (WBV) and appurtenant unfavorable postures in ATVs may be associated to peripheral nervous lesions

Musculoskeletal disorders and whole-body vibration exposure among professional drivers of all-terrain vehicles

Musculoskeletal disorders are common among professional driver groups. Ergonomic risk factors at work are often suggested as causative, aggravating or preserving. The general aim with this thesis is to investigate the association between musculoskeletal disorders and physical exposure with special with special focus on whole-body vibration (WBV), among professional drivers of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Drivers of ATVs are expsosed to high magnitudes of WBV and shock. This thesis included drivers of forest machines, snowgroomers and snowmobiles. A cross-sectional study revealed that ATV drivers had an increased risk of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck-shoulder and thoracic regions, even after adjusting for age, smoking habits and psychosocial stress. Prevalence rates were in the range of 1.5-2.9 (CI:1.2-5.2) compared to an age-matched group from the general population. No group of ATV drivers had a significantly increased risk of low back pain. Trend analysis showed no association between symptoms and exposure time. A clinical investigation of a subgroup found that it was for ATV drivers with neck pain to have assymetrical and focal neuropathies, pure or in mix with a nociceptive disorder, in the neck and upper extremities (47-79%), which was in contrast to referents with neck pain who had more nociceptive disorders (27% prevalence of neuropathy). Two studies measured characteristics of seated WBV exposure in forest machines (forwarders), snowgroomers and snowmobiles. The magnitudes of WBV in ATVs, measured and analyzed according to ISO 2631-1, were between 0.5-3.5 m/s2 (frequency weighted vector sum), which was considered high compared to limits suggested by the international standard ISO 2631-1 and the physical agent directive from the Euoropean Union (0.5 m/s2, rms). Drivers of ATVs were exposed to horizontally directed WBV and shocks. Non-neutral neck postures are ergonomic risk factors that occured infrequently and with short duration. The magnitude of seated WBV in forwarder vehicles varied substantiálly depending on model, terrain condition and driver. This may result in different conclusions regarding health risk assessments. The main conclusion from this thesis is that musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in the neck and upper extremities, among drivers of ATVs, may be a result of long-time exposure to shock-type and horisozontally oriented seated WBV

Musculoskeletal disorders and whole-body vibration exposure among professional drivers of all-terrain vehicles

Musculoskeletal disorders are common among professional driver groups. Ergonomic risk factors at work are often suggested as causative, aggravating or preserving. The general aim with this thesis is to investigate the association between musculoskeletal disorders and physical exposure with special with special focus on whole-body vibration (WBV), among professional drivers of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Drivers of ATVs are expsosed to high magnitudes of WBV and shock. This thesis included drivers of forest machines, snowgroomers and snowmobiles. A cross-sectional study revealed that ATV drivers had an increased risk of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck-shoulder and thoracic regions, even after adjusting for age, smoking habits and psychosocial stress. Prevalence rates were in the range of 1.5-2.9 (CI:1.2-5.2) compared to an age-matched group from the general population. No group of ATV drivers had a significantly increased risk of low back pain. Trend analysis showed no association between symptoms and exposure time. A clinical investigation of a subgroup found that it was for ATV drivers with neck pain to have assymetrical and focal neuropathies, pure or in mix with a nociceptive disorder, in the neck and upper extremities (47-79%), which was in contrast to referents with neck pain who had more nociceptive disorders (27% prevalence of neuropathy). Two studies measured characteristics of seated WBV exposure in forest machines (forwarders), snowgroomers and snowmobiles. The magnitudes of WBV in ATVs, measured and analyzed according to ISO 2631-1, were between 0.5-3.5 m/s2 (frequency weighted vector sum), which was considered high compared to limits suggested by the international standard ISO 2631-1 and the physical agent directive from the Euoropean Union (0.5 m/s2, rms). Drivers of ATVs were exposed to horizontally directed WBV and shocks. Non-neutral neck postures are ergonomic risk factors that occured infrequently and with short duration. The magnitude of seated WBV in forwarder vehicles varied substantiálly depending on model, terrain condition and driver. This may result in different conclusions regarding health risk assessments. The main conclusion from this thesis is that musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in the neck and upper extremities, among drivers of ATVs, may be a result of long-time exposure to shock-type and horisozontally oriented seated WBV

Muscle function among healthy adult athletes before and after a postural balance training period

Background: Postural balance training is primarily used by athletes as rehabilitation after previous injuries or for prevention. A few studies have been made with the aim of investigating whether postural balance training can improve other physical functions in healthy participants. However, there is no consensus regarding effects. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether postural balance training can improve muscle function in healthy adult athletes. Method: Seventeen healthy adult (6 males and 11 females) athletes between the ages of 21 and 50 years performed three postural balance exercises once a day 3x30 seconds per exercise on each leg. This intervention was performed daily for six weeks. Their muscle function were assessed with squat jump, heel rise and grip strength (control). Evaluation was done before and after the training period. Results: Jump height, number of repetitions in heel rise and duration in standing on one leg increased with statistical significance. There were no improvements in postural sway and grip strength. Conclusion: The results suggest that a postural balance training period can provide a better local muscle function regarding explosive strength and endurance among adult athletes even if postural sway is not affected

Muscle function among healthy adult athletes before and after a postural balance training period

Background: Postural balance training is primarily used by athletes as rehabilitation after previous injuries or for prevention. A few studies have been made with the aim of investigating whether postural balance training can improve other physical functions in healthy participants. However, there is no consensus regarding effects. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether postural balance training can improve muscle function in healthy adult athletes. Method: Seventeen healthy adult (6 males and 11 females) athletes between the ages of 21 and 50 years performed three postural balance exercises once a day 3x30 seconds per exercise on each leg. This intervention was performed daily for six weeks. Their muscle function were assessed with squat jump, heel rise and grip strength (control). Evaluation was done before and after the training period. Results: Jump height, number of repetitions in heel rise and duration in standing on one leg increased with statistical significance. There were no improvements in postural sway and grip strength. Conclusion: The results suggest that a postural balance training period can provide a better local muscle function regarding explosive strength and endurance among adult athletes even if postural sway is not affected

Patient expectations about a clinical diagnostic test may influence the clinician's test interpretation

Background: With medical information widely available, patients often have preconceived ideas regarding diagnostic procedures and management strategies. Objectives: To investigate whether expectations, such as beliefs about the source of symptoms and knowledge about diagnostic tests, influence pain perception during a clinical diagnostic test. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Pain was induced by intramuscular hypertonic saline infusion in the thenar muscles. In line with sample size calculations, fifteen participants were included. All participants received identical background information regarding basic median nerve biomechanics and basic concepts of differential diagnosis via mechanical loading of painful structures. Based on different explanations about the origin of their induced pain, half of the participants believed (correctly) they had ‘muscle pain’ and half believed (incorrectly) they had ‘nerve pain’. Pain intensity and size of the painful area were evaluated in five different positions of the median nerve neurodynamic test (ULNT1 MEDIAN). Data were analysed with two-way analyses of variance. Results: /findings: Changes in pain in the ULNT1 MEDIAN positions were different between the ‘muscle pain’ and ‘nerve pain’ group (p 0.38). In contrast, pain intensity (p ≤ 0.003) and size of the painful area (p ≤ 0.03) increased and decreased in the ‘nerve pain’ group consistent with their expectations and the level of mechanical nerve loading. Conclusion: Pain perception during a clinical diagnostic test may be substantially influenced by pain anticipation. Moreover, pain was more aligned with beliefs and expectations than with the actual pathobiological process

Seated postural neck and trunk reactions to sideways perturbations with or without a cognitive task

Driving on irregular terrain will expose the driver to sideways mechanical shocks or perturbations that may cause musculoskeletal problems. How a cognitive task, imposed on the driver, affects seated postural reactions during perturbations is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate seated postural reactions in the neck and trunk among healthy adults exposed to sideways perturbations with or without a cognitive task. Twenty-three healthy male subjects aged 19-36 years, were seated on a chair mounted on a motion system and randomly exposed to 20 sideways perturbations (at two peak accelerations 5.1 or 13.2 m/s2) in two conditions: counting backwards or not. Kinematics were recorded for upper body segments using inertial measurement units attached to the body and electromyography (EMG) was recorded for four muscles bilaterally in the neck and trunk. Angular displacements (head, neck, trunk and pelvis) in the frontal plane, and EMG amplitude (normalised to maximum voluntary contractions, MVC) were analysed. The cognitive task provoked significantly larger angular displacements of the head, neck and trunk and significantly increased EMG mean amplitudes in the upper neck during deceleration, although 10% of MVC was never exceeded. A cognitive task seems to affect musculoskeletal reactions when exposed to sideways perturbations in a seated position

Building COPD care on shaky ground : a mixed methods study from Swedish primary care professional perspective

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a public health problem. Interprofessional collaboration and health promotion interventions such as exercise training, education, and behaviour change are cost effective, have a good effect on health status, and are recommended in COPD treatment guidelines. There is a gap between the guidelines and the healthcare available to people with COPD. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of what shapes the provision of primary care services to people with COPD and what healthcare is offered to them from the perspective of healthcare professionals and managers. Methods: The study was conducted in primary care in a Swedish county council during January to June 2015. A qualitatively driven mixed methods design was applied. Qualitative and quantitative findings were merged into a joint analysis. Interviews for the qualitative component were performed with healthcare professionals (n = 14) from two primary care centres and analysed with qualitative content analysis. Two questionnaires were used for the quantitative component; one was answered by senior managers or COPD nurses at primary care centres (n = 26) in the county council and the other was answered by healthcare professionals (n = 18) at two primary care centres. The questionnaire data were analysed with descriptive statistics. Results: The analysis gave rise to the overarching theme building COPD care on shaky ground. This represents professionals driven to build a supportive COPD care on 'shaky' organisational ground in a fragmented and non-compliant healthcare organisation. The shaky ground is further represented by uninformed patients with a complex disease, which is surrounded with shame. The professionals are autonomous and pragmatic, used to taking responsibility for their work, and with limited involvement of the management. They wish to provide high quality COPD care with interprofessional collaboration, but they lack competence and are hindered by inadequate routines and lack of resources. Conclusions: There is a gap between COPD treatment guidelines and the healthcare that is provided in primary care. To facilitate implementation of the guidelines several actions are needed, such as further training for professionals, additional resources, and improved organisational structure for interprofessional collaboration and patient education