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William S Marras - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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developing physical exposure based Back injury risk models applicable to manual handling jobs in distribution centers
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2012Co-Authors: Steven A. Lavender, William S Marras, Sue A. Ferguson, Riley E Splittstoesser, Gang YangAbstract:Using our ultrasound-based “Moment Monitor,” exposures to biomechanical Low Back Disorder risk factors were quantified in 195 volunteers who worked in 50 different distribution center jobs. Low Back injury rates, determined from a retrospective examination of each company's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300 records over the 3-year period immediately prior to data collection, were used to classify each job's Back injury risk level. The analyses focused on the factors differentiating the high-risk jobs (those having had 12 or more Back injuries/200,000 hr of exposure) from the Low-risk jobs (those defined as having no Back injuries in the preceding 3 years). Univariate analyses indicated that measures of load moment exposure and force application could distinguish between high (n = 15) and Low (n = 15) Back injury risk distribution center jobs. A three-factor multiple logistic regression model capable of predicting high-risk jobs with very good sensitivity (87%) and specificity (73%) ...
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Prevalence of Low Back Disorders in Furniture Distribution Centers
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2008Co-Authors: Sue A. Ferguson, Deborah Burr, W. Gary Allread, Sato Ashida, Kaori Fujishiro, Catherine A. Heaney, William S MarrasAbstract:The purpose of this study was to quantify the prevalence of Low Back Disorders in furniture distribution centers. This was a cross-sectional study with 454 workers in 9 furniture distribution centers. There were five definitions of Low Back Disorders including 1) pain symptoms, 2) Oswestry questionnaire 3) LMM functional performance, 4) medical visits, and 5) lost time. The pain symptoms and Oswestry questionnaire had a one-week prevalence of 56.6% and 54.6%, respectively. The LMM functional performance had a point prevalence of 37.2%. Medical visits and lost time had a one-year prevalence of 11.9% and 7.5%, respectively. The pain symptom prevalence of Low Back Disorder in furniture distribution was similar to that of construction workers and nurses placing this industry among other more well known high risk industries.
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The future of research in understanding and controlling work-related Low Back Disorders.
Ergonomics, 2005Co-Authors: William S MarrasAbstract:Our knowledge of Low Back Disorder (LBD) causation has progressed well over the years with in-depth understanding accelerating in the traditional disciplines of biomechanics, psychology, psychophysics, psychosocial, physiology, genetics, organizational psychology and rehabilitation. However, each of these disciplines has studied LBD causality in isolation of other disciplines. The underlying assumption is that each discipline can fully explain causality and each discipline is treated as if it were mutually exclusive and exhaustive of the other disciplines. Hence, the body of knowledge has progressed along research silos where we have in-depth knowledge along given research tracks that are defined by the boundaries of the discipline. Furthermore, a wealth of knowledge has been amassed within each of these research silos. How can they all be correct if they are indeed mutually exclusive and exhaustive? The answer is: they cannot be. This brief review of the state-of-the art in LBD research applied to ergonomics, suggests that instead of observing LBD through the myopic lens of each discipline, we need to begin to view LBD causality as a system. Recent work attempting to understand the interaction between these traditional disciplines has demonstrated that many of the findings along these silos are really interrelated and can be explained in terms of changes in the biomechanical loading at the tissue level. It is argued that further efforts to understand these interactions represent the next level of understanding causality of LBDs.
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Recurrence of Occupational Low Back Disorders: The Influence of the Definition of Recurrence
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2005Co-Authors: Sue A. Ferguson, William S Marras, Deborah BurrAbstract:Recurrent Low Back Disorder rates vary from as Low as 1% to as high as 82%. The sample population as well as definition of recurrence influence the rate of recurrence found in the literature. The o...
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the influence of individual Low Back health status on workplace trunk kinematics and risk of Low Back Disorder
Ergonomics, 2004Co-Authors: Sue A. Ferguson, William S Marras, Deborah BurrAbstract:A case-control study was conducted to determine whether or not kinematic-based Low Back Disorder risk measurement (Marras et al. 1993) of the job was significantly different for those workers suffering from recent Low Back injuries compared to asymptomatic controls. Two hundred Low Back injured workers returning to full duty work and 200 asymptomatic controls were evaluated while performing the same job. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on any trunk motion measures or workplace measures. Therefore, job design is dictating the kinematic motions of the torso and not the worker's Low Back health. In addition, there was not a significant difference in job risk estimates using the lumbar motion monitor risk model. The mean risk (and standard deviation) for the Low Back injured group and the asymptomatic controls was 0.502 (0.178) and 0.501 (0.193), respectively. This study suggests that trunk kinematics and subsequent risk estimates are dictated primarily by job design and not influenced by the Low Back health status of the worker.
Sue A. Ferguson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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developing physical exposure based Back injury risk models applicable to manual handling jobs in distribution centers
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2012Co-Authors: Steven A. Lavender, William S Marras, Sue A. Ferguson, Riley E Splittstoesser, Gang YangAbstract:Using our ultrasound-based “Moment Monitor,” exposures to biomechanical Low Back Disorder risk factors were quantified in 195 volunteers who worked in 50 different distribution center jobs. Low Back injury rates, determined from a retrospective examination of each company's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300 records over the 3-year period immediately prior to data collection, were used to classify each job's Back injury risk level. The analyses focused on the factors differentiating the high-risk jobs (those having had 12 or more Back injuries/200,000 hr of exposure) from the Low-risk jobs (those defined as having no Back injuries in the preceding 3 years). Univariate analyses indicated that measures of load moment exposure and force application could distinguish between high (n = 15) and Low (n = 15) Back injury risk distribution center jobs. A three-factor multiple logistic regression model capable of predicting high-risk jobs with very good sensitivity (87%) and specificity (73%) ...
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Prevalence of Low Back Disorders in Furniture Distribution Centers
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2008Co-Authors: Sue A. Ferguson, Deborah Burr, W. Gary Allread, Sato Ashida, Kaori Fujishiro, Catherine A. Heaney, William S MarrasAbstract:The purpose of this study was to quantify the prevalence of Low Back Disorders in furniture distribution centers. This was a cross-sectional study with 454 workers in 9 furniture distribution centers. There were five definitions of Low Back Disorders including 1) pain symptoms, 2) Oswestry questionnaire 3) LMM functional performance, 4) medical visits, and 5) lost time. The pain symptoms and Oswestry questionnaire had a one-week prevalence of 56.6% and 54.6%, respectively. The LMM functional performance had a point prevalence of 37.2%. Medical visits and lost time had a one-year prevalence of 11.9% and 7.5%, respectively. The pain symptom prevalence of Low Back Disorder in furniture distribution was similar to that of construction workers and nurses placing this industry among other more well known high risk industries.
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Recurrence of Occupational Low Back Disorders: The Influence of the Definition of Recurrence
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2005Co-Authors: Sue A. Ferguson, William S Marras, Deborah BurrAbstract:Recurrent Low Back Disorder rates vary from as Low as 1% to as high as 82%. The sample population as well as definition of recurrence influence the rate of recurrence found in the literature. The o...
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the influence of individual Low Back health status on workplace trunk kinematics and risk of Low Back Disorder
Ergonomics, 2004Co-Authors: Sue A. Ferguson, William S Marras, Deborah BurrAbstract:A case-control study was conducted to determine whether or not kinematic-based Low Back Disorder risk measurement (Marras et al. 1993) of the job was significantly different for those workers suffering from recent Low Back injuries compared to asymptomatic controls. Two hundred Low Back injured workers returning to full duty work and 200 asymptomatic controls were evaluated while performing the same job. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on any trunk motion measures or workplace measures. Therefore, job design is dictating the kinematic motions of the torso and not the worker's Low Back health. In addition, there was not a significant difference in job risk estimates using the lumbar motion monitor risk model. The mean risk (and standard deviation) for the Low Back injured group and the asymptomatic controls was 0.502 (0.178) and 0.501 (0.193), respectively. This study suggests that trunk kinematics and subsequent risk estimates are dictated primarily by job design and not influenced by the Low Back health status of the worker.
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the quantification of Low Back Disorder using motion measures methodology and validation
Spine, 1999Co-Authors: William S Marras, Sue A. Ferguson, Mohamad Parnianpour, Purnendu Gupta, Smarajit Bose, Robert R CrowellAbstract:STUDY DESIGN: Trunk angular motion features were used as a means to quantify the extent of a Low Back Disorder in healthy people and patients with chronic Low Back Disorders. OBJECTIVE: To refine and validate a previously reported means of quantifying the extent of a Low Back Disorder. SUMMARY AND BackGROUND: Many assessment tools of Low Back Disorder are subjective. A quantitative assessment tool would facilitate the tracking of the recovery and help document the appropriateness of treatments. METHODS: The trunk motion characteristics of 374 healthy people and 335 patients with chronic Low Back Disorders of varying severity were documented as they flexed and extended their trunks in five different planes of motion. The trunk motion features were normalized as a function of age and gender. Four classification techniques were used to assess the ability of the quantitative motion measure to identify those with and without Low Back Disorders. In addition, 31 patients were observed longitudinally to determine whether the motion measures agreed with observed changes in Back pain symptoms. RESULTS: The quantitative trunk motion measure distinguished between people with Low Back Disorders and healthy people between 88% and 94% of the time, depending on which classification system was used. Sensitivity and specificity varied between 83% and 97%. The quantitative measure also showed promise as a means to distinguish between muscle-based and structure-based Low Back Disorders. Prospective findings indicated that the quantification system agreed well with clinical observations of progress. CONCLUSIONS: The quantification of trunk motion can serve as a measure of the extent of a Low Back Disorder. When considered along with other clinical information, the ability to assess and treat Low Back Disorders is enhanced.
Steven A. Lavender - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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developing physical exposure based Back injury risk models applicable to manual handling jobs in distribution centers
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2012Co-Authors: Steven A. Lavender, William S Marras, Sue A. Ferguson, Riley E Splittstoesser, Gang YangAbstract:Using our ultrasound-based “Moment Monitor,” exposures to biomechanical Low Back Disorder risk factors were quantified in 195 volunteers who worked in 50 different distribution center jobs. Low Back injury rates, determined from a retrospective examination of each company's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300 records over the 3-year period immediately prior to data collection, were used to classify each job's Back injury risk level. The analyses focused on the factors differentiating the high-risk jobs (those having had 12 or more Back injuries/200,000 hr of exposure) from the Low-risk jobs (those defined as having no Back injuries in the preceding 3 years). Univariate analyses indicated that measures of load moment exposure and force application could distinguish between high (n = 15) and Low (n = 15) Back injury risk distribution center jobs. A three-factor multiple logistic regression model capable of predicting high-risk jobs with very good sensitivity (87%) and specificity (73%) ...
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can a new behaviorally oriented training process to improve lifting technique prevent occupationally related Back injuries due to lifting
Spine, 2007Co-Authors: Steven A. Lavender, Eric P Lorenz, Gunnar AnderssonAbstract:Study Design. A prospective randomized control trial. Objective. To determine the degree to which a new behavior-based lift training program (LiftTrainer TM ; Ascension Technology, Burlington, VT) could reduce the incidence of Low Back Disorder in distribution center jobs that require repetitive lifting. of Background Data. Most studies show programs aimed at training lifting techniques to be ineffective in preventing Low Back Disorders, which may be due to their conceptual rather than behavioral learning approach. Methods. A total of 2144 employees in 19 distribution centers were randomized into either the LiftTrainer TM program or a video control group. In the LiftTrainer TM program, participants were individually trained in up to 5, 30-minute sessions while instrumented with motion capture sensors to quantify the L5/S1 moments. Twelve months folLowing the initial training, injury data were obtained from company records. Results. Survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier) indicated that there was no difference in injury rates between the 2 training groups. Likewise, there was no difference in the turnover rates. However, those with a Low (<30 Nm) average twisting moment at the end of the first session experienced a significantly (P < 0.005) Lower rate of Low Back Disorder than controls. Conclusions. While overall the LiftTrainer TM program was not effective, those with twisting moments beLow 30 Nm reported fewer injuries, suggesting a shift in focus for "safe" lifting programs.
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Risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related Low Back Disorders in an industrial population
Spine, 2006Co-Authors: Denise M. Oleske, Mary J. Morrissey, Phyllis Zold-kilbourn, Cheryl Allen, Steven A. Lavender, Gunnar B. J. Andersson, Emily TaylorAbstract:Study Design. An observational longitudinal design. Objectives. To characterize the rate of and risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related Low Back Disorder in industrial workers. Summary of Background Data. Little data exist on risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related Low Back Disorders in employed persons. Methods. A total of 352 active hourly union employees who were diagnosed with a recent work-related Low Back Disorder and who had at least one folLow-up visit within 12 months enrolled for participation in a rehabilitation intervention study at the workplace. Information on clinical and job factors was obtained at each study visit. Job risk for Low Back Disorder was quantified using the Lumbar Motion Monitor. The main outcome measure, recurrence of work-related Low Back pain, was derived from a computerized file of administrative records of visits to the plant's medical department. Results. The rate of repeated episodes was 24.4%; an additional episode occurred in 2.3%. Adjusting for age, gender, health status and job exposures, Lower levels of physical health, increasing Back pain disability, spinal deformity, high stress, and increasing number of different jobs worked at the same plant were risk factors for a recurrent episodes of Low Back pain. Conclusions. Early identification of risk factors for a work-related Low Back Disorder may signal the need for early and intense rehabilitation to prevent recurrent episodes. Because these findings were based on jobs with medium risk of Low Back Disorders, other factors may be significant in higher risk jobs.
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Low-Back Disorder risk in automotive parts distribution
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2006Co-Authors: Steven A. Lavender, Denise M. Oleske, Gunnar B. J. Andersson, Mary J. KwasnyAbstract:Abstract The purpose of this study was to characterize the Low-Back Disorder (LBD) risk in jobs found in automotive parts distribution centers. This descriptive study analyzed 53 jobs at seven automotive distribution facilities in the northern United States. Data were collected using the Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM) and analyzed using the LMM LBD risk model. To assess the reliability of the sampling process, split-test reliability coefficients were calculated and found to be 0.90. Results indicate that, on average, the jobs in automotive parts distribution are moderately high risk (mean=56%, s.d.=11%); however, nearly half the sample had LMM LBD risk probability values greater than the 60% mark that has been used as a cut point in defining “high” risk [Marras W.S. et al., 2000. Prospective validation of a Low-Back Disorder risk model and assessment of ergonomic interventions associated with manual materials handling tasks. Ergonomics 43, 1866–1886]. Many of the jobs contain trunk motions that are associated with high LBD risk; however, many of these same jobs had relatively Low lifting frequencies which moderated the risk estimates. Relevance to industry This study benchmarks the LBD risk levels within automotive parts distribution.
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Factors affecting recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders in autoworkers
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2004Co-Authors: Denise M. Oleske, Phyllis Zold-kilbourn, Steven A. Lavender, Gunnar B. J. Andersson, Mary Morrissey, Janani Neelakantan, Bradley G Hinrichs, Emily TaylorAbstract:Abstract Oleske DM, Neelakantan J, Andersson GB, Hinrichs BG, Lavender SA, Morrissey MJ, Zold-Kilbourn P, Taylor E. Factors affecting recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders in autoworkers. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1362–4. Objective To simultaneously evaluate personal, medical, and job factors that could affect recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders, specifically focusing on an active working sample. Design Observational, longitudinal study. Setting Two US automotive plants. Participants Employees (N=352; 289 men, 63 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 45.1±7.5y) who were active hourly autoworkers, diagnosed with work-related, Low Back Disorder by the plant's medical department. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure Oswestry Disability Questionnaire for Back pain was used to evaluate recovery. Results Factors associated with better recovery were Lower stress levels ( P P P P Conclusions Personal modifiable factors are major influences in the recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders, even in active working populations. Interventions aimed at increasing exercise and decreasing stress should also be considered as a part of rehabilitation in employed persons with Low levels of disability.
Moshe Solomonow - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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work to rest durations ratios exceeding unity are a risk factor for Low Back Disorder a feline model
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 2007Co-Authors: Paola Sbriccoli, Moshe Solomonow, Bing He Zhou, Yun LuAbstract:Abstract Low Back Disorders are prominent among the work force engaged in static anterior flexion during the workday. As a continuing part of a long-term research aimed to identify the biomechanical and physiological processes and corresponding risk factors leading to such cumulative trauma Disorder (CTD), we ventured to assess the effect of rest and the work-to-rest duration ratios that may prevent CTD. Three groups of the feline model were subjected to three load/rest paradigms: two 30min loading periods spaced by 10min rest in Group I, two 30min loading period spaced by 30min rest in Group II and one 60min loading period for Group III. The cumulative loading duration in the three groups was 60min. Each of the groups were alLowed 7h of rest while monitoring EMG and lumbar viscoelastic tissue creep each hour. The results demonstrate that for two 30min load periods with a 30min in between rest, an acute neuromuscular Disorder was not present whereas for two 30min loading with a 10min rest it was. Similarly, for a 60min loading with long-term rest, the Disorder was present. Post hoc Fisher analysis demonstrated significant differences in the delayed hyperexcitability between the first and second group ( P P P P
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Short rest periods after static lumbar flexion are a risk factor for cumulative Low Back Disorder.
Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 2005Co-Authors: Amy Courville, Paola Sbriccoli, Moshe Solomonow, Bing He Zhou, Evalina L. BurgerAbstract:Abstract The objective of this work was to study the effect of rest periods of various durations applied between six 10-min sessions of static flexion on the development of cumulative Low Back Disorder (CLBD). Three experimental groups of a feline model were used, and the rest duration between sequential static load periods was set to 5, 10, and 20 min, with a corresponding load-to-rest ratio of 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2, respectively. The reflex electromyographic (EMG) activity from the multifidus muscles and supraspinous ligament displacement (creep) were recorded during the flexion periods and over 7 h of rest folLowing the load–rest cycles. It was found that a minor Disorder developed in all the groups whereas a severe neuromuscular Disorder including a delayed hyperexcitability was observed only in the group subjected to 5 min rest. The two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of time post loading ( p p p p
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static load repetition is a risk factor in the development of lumbar cumulative musculoskeletal Disorder
Spine, 2004Co-Authors: Paola Sbriccoli, Moshe Solomonow, B H Zhou, Khalid Yousuf, Ilya Kupershtein, Meng Ping ZhuAbstract:Study Design. In vivo feline model subjected to variable number of repetitions of a short static lumbar flexion folLowed by an equally long rest period. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the number of repetitions as a risk factor in promoting a cumulative Low Back Disorder in the feline model. Summary of Background Data. Epidemiologic data point out that the increased number of repetitions of static lumbar loading is a major risk factor in the development of cumulative Low Back Disorder. Biomechanical and physiologic confirmation of the epidemiology is lacking. Recent work demonstrated that repetitive static loading results in accumulation of creep in the lumbar viscoelastic tissues, resulting in a neuromuscular Disorder consisting of spasms during loading and hyperexcitability of lumbar muscles during folLowing rest. It was also shown that the load magnitude is a major risk factor. It is hypothesized that increased number of repetitions of static load periods result in increased severity of the resulting neuromuscular Disorder Methods. Static lumbar flexion of 10 minutes duration folLowed by 10 minutes rest was repeated three times in one experimental group, six times in the second, and nine times in the third group. In all groups, the creep developing in the lumbar viscoelastic tissues as well as the reflexive EMG from the multifidus were monitored during the flexion/rest periods and throughout a 7-hour recovery period after the repetitions. Results. Creep developed and accumulated during each of the flexion/rest periods in the three experimental protocols, with larger residual creep at the end of the nine repetitions. A residual creep was still present at the end of the 7 hours of recovery alLowed in each of the three groups. During the flexion/rest sessions, EMG spasms were present, and the presence of an initial hyperexcitability was detected during the 7 hours of recovery in all the preparations. The presence of a delayed hyperexcitability was revealed only in the group subjected to nine flexion/rest periods, while it was not observed in the groups subjected to three and six flexion/rest repetitions. The statistical analysis (post hoc Fisher test) performed on the normalized integrated EMG and displacement data during the recovery phase showed a significant difference between the nine repetitions group and the other two groups (P 0.0001). The two-way ANOVA analysis revealed a significant effect of time (P 0.005) and number of repetitions (P 0.0001) on all considered parameters. Conclusions. It was concluded that a cumulative neuromuscular Disorder develops because of repetition of static lumbar flexion, and the severity of the Disorder provoked is magnified by the number of repetitions. Despite the highly favorable 1:1 work-to-rest ratio and the 7-hour post loading rest period, a full recovery of creep was not obtained in this study.
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Flexion-Relaxation Response to Cyclic Lumbar Flexion
Clinical Biomechanics, 2004Co-Authors: Michael W. Olson, Moshe SolomonowAbstract:Abstract Background. The epidemiology classify cyclic lumbar flexion as a risk factor for the development of cumulative Low Back Disorder. Experimental biomechanical data confirming the epidemiology in humans are lacking. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to investigate the flexion relaxation response to sustained cyclic lumbar flexion in humans. Methods. Twelve normal college aged males performed deep cyclic lumbar flexion at 0.1 Hz for 9 min while recording lumbar paraspinal electromyogram and kinematic data. Findings. The most important observation of the study was the significant increase in the angular excursion of myoelectric silence during the deep part of the flexion phase. The observed increase in myoelectric silence consisted of earlier cessation of EMG during flexion and delayed activation of trunk extensors during extension. EMG magnitude, during flexion, increased approximately 30% over trials ( P P Interpretations. It was concluded that increased myoelectric silence during prolonged cyclic flexion-extension demonstrates an enhanced flexion-relaxation phenomenon which reduces lumbar stability and may be detrimental to Low Back health. The presence of spasms confirm that sustained cyclic lumbar flexion results in micro damage in the viscoelastic tissues. Overall, a neuromuscular Disorder was evoked due to a relatively short period of unloaded cyclic lumbar flexion.
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static load magnitude is a risk factor in the development of cumulative Low Back Disorder
Muscle & Nerve, 2004Co-Authors: Paola Sbriccoli, Moshe Solomonow, Yun Lu, B H Zhou, R V Baratta, Evalina L. BurgerAbstract:Occupations requiring frequent periods of static lumbar flexion are known epidemiologically to be risk factors for the development of cumulative Low Back Disorder. The impact of the load magnitude sustained during a series of short static lumbar flexions folLowed by an equally long rest period on the development of a cumulative Low Back Disorder was addressed in an in vivo feline model. Static loads of 20, 40, and 60 N were applied over 10 min of flexion folLowed by 10-min rest sessions that were repeated six times (for a total of 2 h) while monitoring lumbar viscoelastic creep (laxity) and reflex electromyographic (EMG) activity from the multifidus muscles. Creep and EMG were also monitored over 7 h of rest folLowing the six flexion–rest sessions. It was found that the creep developed in the 10-min flexion periods did not recover completely during the folLowing 10 min of rest, giving rise to a large cumulative creep at the end of the work–rest session. Muscle activity demonstrated spasms during the static flexion periods as well as initial and delayed hyperexcitability during the 7-h rest period. Loads of 20 and 40 N did not result in delayed hyperexcitability, whereas loads of 60 N resulted in delayed hyperexcitability. Statistical analysis demonstrated that increased load significantly intensified the magnitude of the hyperexcitabilities (P < 0.05). Thus, repeated periods of static lumbar flexion were found to result in a transient neuromuscular Disorder with an intensity directly related to the load magnitude, which should be considered a compounding risk factor. Muscle Nerve 29: 300–308, 2004
Denise M. Oleske - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related Low Back Disorders in an industrial population
Spine, 2006Co-Authors: Denise M. Oleske, Mary J. Morrissey, Phyllis Zold-kilbourn, Cheryl Allen, Steven A. Lavender, Gunnar B. J. Andersson, Emily TaylorAbstract:Study Design. An observational longitudinal design. Objectives. To characterize the rate of and risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related Low Back Disorder in industrial workers. Summary of Background Data. Little data exist on risk factors for recurrent episodes of work-related Low Back Disorders in employed persons. Methods. A total of 352 active hourly union employees who were diagnosed with a recent work-related Low Back Disorder and who had at least one folLow-up visit within 12 months enrolled for participation in a rehabilitation intervention study at the workplace. Information on clinical and job factors was obtained at each study visit. Job risk for Low Back Disorder was quantified using the Lumbar Motion Monitor. The main outcome measure, recurrence of work-related Low Back pain, was derived from a computerized file of administrative records of visits to the plant's medical department. Results. The rate of repeated episodes was 24.4%; an additional episode occurred in 2.3%. Adjusting for age, gender, health status and job exposures, Lower levels of physical health, increasing Back pain disability, spinal deformity, high stress, and increasing number of different jobs worked at the same plant were risk factors for a recurrent episodes of Low Back pain. Conclusions. Early identification of risk factors for a work-related Low Back Disorder may signal the need for early and intense rehabilitation to prevent recurrent episodes. Because these findings were based on jobs with medium risk of Low Back Disorders, other factors may be significant in higher risk jobs.
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Low-Back Disorder risk in automotive parts distribution
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2006Co-Authors: Steven A. Lavender, Denise M. Oleske, Gunnar B. J. Andersson, Mary J. KwasnyAbstract:Abstract The purpose of this study was to characterize the Low-Back Disorder (LBD) risk in jobs found in automotive parts distribution centers. This descriptive study analyzed 53 jobs at seven automotive distribution facilities in the northern United States. Data were collected using the Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM) and analyzed using the LMM LBD risk model. To assess the reliability of the sampling process, split-test reliability coefficients were calculated and found to be 0.90. Results indicate that, on average, the jobs in automotive parts distribution are moderately high risk (mean=56%, s.d.=11%); however, nearly half the sample had LMM LBD risk probability values greater than the 60% mark that has been used as a cut point in defining “high” risk [Marras W.S. et al., 2000. Prospective validation of a Low-Back Disorder risk model and assessment of ergonomic interventions associated with manual materials handling tasks. Ergonomics 43, 1866–1886]. Many of the jobs contain trunk motions that are associated with high LBD risk; however, many of these same jobs had relatively Low lifting frequencies which moderated the risk estimates. Relevance to industry This study benchmarks the LBD risk levels within automotive parts distribution.
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Low Back Disorder Risk in Automotive Parts Distribution
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2004Co-Authors: Steven A. Lavender, Phyllis Zold-kilbourn, Denise M. Oleske, Gunnar B. J. Andersson, Mary Morrissey, Emily TaylorAbstract:The purpose of this study was to characterize the Low Back Disorder (LBD) risk in jobs found in automotive parts distribution centers. This descriptive study analyzed 53 jobs at 7 automotive distribution facilities in the Northern United States. Data were collected using the Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM) and analyzed using the LMM LBD risk model. Historically, the LMM risk model, which was developed primarily through an analysis of manufacturing jobs, has used the peak load moment in the calculations. A secondary purpose of this study was to compare the difference in LBD risk estimates obtained using the peak versus the mean load moment in the analysis of these highly variable lifting jobs. Given that each lifting task may be a different weight item from a different location the sampling process was validated using split-test reliability coefficients. These were found to be 0.90. Results indicate that, on average the jobs in automotive parts distribution are moderately high risk (mean= 56%, s.d.= 11%), howe...
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Factors affecting recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders in autoworkers
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2004Co-Authors: Denise M. Oleske, Phyllis Zold-kilbourn, Steven A. Lavender, Gunnar B. J. Andersson, Mary Morrissey, Janani Neelakantan, Bradley G Hinrichs, Emily TaylorAbstract:Abstract Oleske DM, Neelakantan J, Andersson GB, Hinrichs BG, Lavender SA, Morrissey MJ, Zold-Kilbourn P, Taylor E. Factors affecting recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders in autoworkers. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1362–4. Objective To simultaneously evaluate personal, medical, and job factors that could affect recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders, specifically focusing on an active working sample. Design Observational, longitudinal study. Setting Two US automotive plants. Participants Employees (N=352; 289 men, 63 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 45.1±7.5y) who were active hourly autoworkers, diagnosed with work-related, Low Back Disorder by the plant's medical department. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure Oswestry Disability Questionnaire for Back pain was used to evaluate recovery. Results Factors associated with better recovery were Lower stress levels ( P P P P Conclusions Personal modifiable factors are major influences in the recovery from work-related, Low Back Disorders, even in active working populations. Interventions aimed at increasing exercise and decreasing stress should also be considered as a part of rehabilitation in employed persons with Low levels of disability.
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Job exposures as correlates of recovery in population-based rehabilitation intervention for work-related Low Back Disorders.
Annals of epidemiology, 2000Co-Authors: Denise M. Oleske, Phyllis Zold-kilbourn, Steven A. Lavender, Gbj Andersson, Jj Hahn, C Allen-toole, J LaskowskiAbstract:Abstract PURPOSE: Evaluating the impact of population-based rehabilitation interventions for work-related Low Back Disorders (WR-LBD) requires job exposure factors to be considered as time-varying covariates. The role of job factors in recovery has not been well-established as most studies are based upon clinic samples, not working populations. This report represents the initial exploration of variables to be included in modeling job exposures as time-varying covariates of a study of work-place based rehabilitation intervention. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 162 hourly production employees from two automotive plants with work-related Low Back Disorder not due to external trauma. Data reported herein were collected at baseline from an on-going large randomized clinical trial of rehabilitation for WR-LBD. Low Back pain as measured by the North American Spine Society Baseline Form was examined in relation to: self-reported job factors from the Job Content Questionnaire and job risk category for Low Back Disorder determined by the Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM), an electronic goniometer which transmits Back motion signals to a computer for analysis. RESULTS: Low Back pain, with and without leg pain, was not found to be associated with hours worked in the previous week, job shift, perceptions of the pace of the job, or job risk of Low Back Disorder as measured by the LMM. Low Back pain was significantly (p CONCLUSIONS: Self-report of perceptions of job strain may be as important, if not more important, than current quantitative factors thought to influence recovery from work-related Low Back pain.
