To verify if the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and physical examination of the lumbar spine can identify workers with chronic or recurring low back pain, using health history for reference. Fifty office workers of both sexes, aged between 19 and 55 yr, were evaluated using a standardized physical examination and the NMQ, VAS and RDQ. Discriminant analysis was performed to determine the discriminant properties of these instruments. A higher success rate (94%) was observed in the model including only the NMQ and in the model including the NMQ and the physical examination. The lowest success rate (82%) was observed in the model including the NMQ, RDQ and VAS. The NMQ was able to detect subjects with chronic or recurring low back pain with 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity. The NMQ appears to be the best instrument for identifying subjects with chronic or recurring low back pain. Thus, this self-reported questionnaire is suitable for screening workers for chronic or recurring low back pain in occupational settings.

OBJECTIVES Translate and culturally adapt the short version of Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II) into Brazilian Portuguese (COPSOQ II-Br) and evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS Translation and cultural adaptation followed the standardized guidelines. Structural validity was assessed using exploratory factorial analysis. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1) and internal consistency by Cronbach’s alpha. Floor and ceiling effect was considered acceptable if less than 15% of participants reported the lowest or highest scores. Measurement error was assessed by standard error of measurement (SEM), while construct validity was tested by correlating the COPSOQ II-Br, the Job Content Questionnaire and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. RESULTS The study evaluated a total of 211 civil servants and service providers in the test and 157 in the retest. After cross-cultural adaptation, the COPSOQ II-Br structure comprised seven domains and 11 dimensions. Most dimensions showed acceptable floor and ceiling effects, excepting “Work family conflicts” (floor effect of 26.1%), and “Meaning and commitment” and “Job satisfaction,” with ceiling floor of 27.5% and 22.3%, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha values reached the recommended levels (varied between 0.70 and 0.87). Test-retest reliability indicated that all dimensions had ICC between 0.71 and 0.81. SEM ranged from 0.6 to 2.2 and the construct validity showed good results with the tested instruments (significant positive and negative correlations). CONCLUSIONS All psychometric properties of the short version COPSOQ II-Br are suitable for use in Brazil. The instrument is thus validated and can be used by occupational health and human resources professionals to evaluate psychosocial working conditions.

[Purpose] To assess the effects of forearm support and shoulder posture on upper trapezius and anterior deltoid activity. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three female university students were evaluated. Muscle activity was assessed by a portable surface electromyography (sEMG) system (Myomonitor IV, Delsys, USA). Upper trapezius and anterior deltoid activity were recorded in five shoulder flexion postures: 0°, 15°, 30°, 45° and 60° and in two conditions: with the forearm supported and unsupported. Descriptive data analysis was performed and statistical analysis was conducted by a multivariate analysis of variance with three repeated factors (posture, support and side). [Results] Three-way interactions were not significant. Two-way interaction was significant for support and posture for both muscles, indicating that the muscular activity depends on the forearm support and shoulder posture. The forearm support reduced upper trapezius and anterior deltoid activity for all shoulder flexion angles. The mean and standard deviation for this decrease was 7.8 (SD=4.6)% of the maximal voluntary contraction for anterior deltoid and 3.8 (SD=2.0)% of the maximal voluntary contraction for upper trapezius. In the unsupported condition, increasing the shoulder flexion angle caused an increase in the upper trapezius and anterior deltoid activation. [Conclusion] These results highlight the importance of using forearm support and to maintain neutral shoulder posture, when the upper arms are not supported, to reduce muscle activation. Thus, this study provides evidence about the effect of these recommendations to reduce muscular activity.

This study was conducted to describe the health conditions (the psychosocial aspects, sleep quality, and musculoskeletal symptoms) among Brazilian healthcare workers in the context of the pandemic. Workers answered an online questionnaire, including the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The most unfavourable psychosocial factors were work pace (61%; 95% CI: 52–69%), emotional work demands (75%; 95% CI: 67–82%), predictability (47%; 95% CI: 39–56%), work-family conflict (55%; 95% CI: 46–64%), burnout (86%; 95% CI: 78–91%), and stress (81%; 95% CI: 73–87%). Most workers (74%; 95% CI: 66–81%) were classified as poor sleepers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were frequent in the neck (64%; 95% CI: 55–72%), shoulders (62%; 95% CI: 54–70%), upper back (58%; 95% CI: 50–67%), and lower back (61%; 95% CI: 52–69%). Depressive symptoms were also highly prevalent (mild: 22%; 95% CI: 15–30%, moderate: 16%; 95% CI: 11–23%, severe: 8%; 95% CI: 4–14%). Most healthcare workers experience unfavourable psychosocial factors, poor sleep quality, as well as musculoskeletal and depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the urgent need to acknowledge and address psychological and physical distress to improve the personal and professional well-being of this population.

Background: The professionals who perform cleaning activity constitute a major economic sector in Brazil. Cleaners may develop health problems related to the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. It is necessary to understand the working and health conditions of cleaners in Brazil. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and heart rate variability (HRV) among cleaners. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at a public higher education institution with 45 outsourced cleaners following approval from the institutional ethics committee. The participants answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic, occupational and health data, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the Physical Activity Questionnaire (work and leisure) and the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. Clinical data (height, body mass, waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure) and heart rate variability (HRV) were also collected. Logistic and linear regression models were created to identify factors associated with symptoms and HRV. Results: The sample consisted of women (100%) predominantly older than 50 years of age (44%), without a conjugal life (64%), with three or more children (59%), low educational level (58%) and who worked less than 12 months at the company (87%). Systemic arterial hypertension (23%) was the most reported health problem. The highest frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms was identified in the lower limbs (ankles/feet: 31% in the previous 12 months and 24% in the previous 7 days; knees: 31% in the previous 12 months and 20% in the previous 7 days). Moreover, the workers reported not practicing physical activity during leisure time (84%). Psychosocial aspects indicated health risks for the dimensions "influence at work" (74%), "burnout" (59%) and "stress" (52%). Associations were found between ankle/foot symptoms and body mass index, shoulder symptoms and predictability, and knee symptoms and self-rated health and burnout. HRV indices were associated with age. Conclusions: This study outlined the profile of female cleaners and identified risk factors. The workers exhibited musculoskeletal symptoms, which were associated with the body mass index and some psychosocial factors. HRV indices were associated with age. Thus, health promotion and prevention measures should be taken to benefit this population of workers.