Low back pain characterized by muscle resistance and occupational factors associated with nursing

Abstract

Objective to identify the occupational factors associated with low back pain using a surveillance tool and to characterize the low back pain by the resistance of the extensor muscles of the vertebral column among nursing professionals at an Intensive Care Unit. Methods Cross-sectional study. The workers answered a questionnaire about occupational factors and participated in a resistance test of the extensor muscles of the vertebral column. Associations were established through Student's T-test or Mann-Whitney's U-test and correlations using Pearson's test. Results Out of 48 participants, 32 (67%) suffered from low pain. For the resistance test, the subjects suffering from low back pain endured less time in comparison with asymptomatic subjects, but without significant differences (p=0.147). The duration of the pain episode showed a significant negative correlation (p=0.016) with the results of the resistance test though. The main factors identified as causes of low back pain were biomechanical and postural elements, conditions of the muscle structure and physical and organizational conditions. Conclusions the main occupational factors associated with the low back pain were the posture and the characteristics of the physical and organizational conditions. In addition, the extensor muscles of the column showed a trend towards lesser resistance for workers in pain. This evidence is important when considering prevention and treatment strategies.

Evaluation of body posture in nursing students

“…A symmetric segment indicates muscle balance and bone structures in normal anatomic conditions, without postural deviations, especially in the scapular and pelvic girdles. This balance represents a challenge in classroom routines, where students acquire compensatory postural habits in response to several factors, such as remaining in a same posture for long periods (7) . The comparison of postures of individuals before and after clinical practice found no significant differences in most analyzed angles.…”

“…The adaptations generated by muscle compensation may be fully associated with the flexibility that emerges as a capacity that, despite the lack of understanding of the mechanism of its contribution to preventing injuries, has been shown to be a relevant risk factor for degenerative pathologies such as low back pain (7) . This suggests a possible association of posterior muscle shortening with professions in which individuals remain sitting or in the orthostatic position most of the time.…”

“…Poor postural habits acquired in the performance of work activities may trigger body changes that are reflected by musculoskeletal pain. According to results of studies conducted in recent decades, nurses present low back pain as their major complaint (6)(7) , as well as pain in the cervical region, wrists, shoulders, and knees (8)(9) . Postural deviations have been shown to be mainly related to different types of pain in the lumbar region (10) .…”

Scientific evidence of dockworker illness to nursing clinical reasoning

“…It was also checked by applying test and a surveillance tool (38) ; the work shift and work dynamics (39) , among others, demonstrating that nursing has already promoted theoretical and methodological instrumentation for musculoskeletal diseases, and already points important elements for CR processing in the port environment.…”

Atividades de trabalho e lombalgia crônica inespecífica em trabalhadores de enfermagem

“…(4,5) Ergonomic factors decrease muscle strength and power; reduce stability and coordination; impair trunk motor control; increase stress on intervertebral discs and ligaments; and, consequently, can lead to injury and/or pain. (6) These overloads lead to physiological stress, impair musculoskeletal function and are, therefore, a health concern in nursing practice. (1) Low Back Pain (LBP) or lumbar spine pain is defined as pain below the costal margin of the 12th rib and above the inferior gluteal folds.…”