Effects of multiple risk factors on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders among workers in inner Brazil

Silva, Iris Lima da; Souza, Eloyse Ricely Machado de; Silva, Lara Karine Dias; Silva, Alline Thamyres Claudino da; Silva, Jonhatan Magno Norte da

doi:10.3233/wor-210752

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 49 publications

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“…Furthermore, according to Alias et al [ 58 ], standing for up to 4 h and poor choices of footwear during school hours contribute to symptoms in the feet and lower leg regions. Moreover, Lima da Silva et al [ 69 ] found that jobs in the countryside of northeastern Brazil are precarious and have low wages. Thus, these professionals are often unable to purchase comfortable shoes, only having access to basic necessities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Construction of a Musculoskeletal Discomfort Scale for the Lower Limbs of Workers: An Analysis Using the Multigroup Item Response Theory

Silva

Bispo

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Musculoskeletal symptoms are a major occupational health problem in workers, and these can affect all professional occupations. Previous studies have proposed metrics capable of evaluating the musculoskeletal discomfort experienced by workers. However, no study has developed a metric that considers professional groups. Thus, this study aimed to develop a scale for musculoskeletal discomfort in the lower limbs to compare self-reported symptoms among education, health, and industry professionals. The sample included 159 teachers, 167 health professionals, and 401 industrial operators who relayed their symptoms using a diagram of the hips, thighs, knees, lower legs, and feet. Factor and multigroup item response theory analyses were used to construct a musculoskeletal discomfort scale consisting of seven levels and to assess and compare the identified symptoms. The results showed that the progressive evolution of discomfort differed for each profession, demonstrating that each context and work environment affects workers differently, which may explain the different patterns of symptom responses among professional groups.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Construction of a Musculoskeletal Discomfort Scale for the Lower Limbs of Workers: An Analysis Using the Multigroup Item Response Theory

Silva

Bispo

et al. 2023

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Assessment of the musculoskeletal discomfort scale for upper limb among workers in inner Brazil

Silva,

Moreno

et al. 2024

WOR

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BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders for upper limbs (UL-WMSDs) form a complex of occupational diseases common to many professions worldwide. UL-WMSDs are manifested in most cases by pain, resulting in musculoskeletal discomfort. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to evaluate the perception of musculoskeletal discomfort in workers from the interior of the Brazilian states of Alagoas and Bahia through the construction of a scale to assess musculoskeletal discomfort for upper limb. METHODS: The discomfort assessment scale was constructed from self-reported pain symptoms by 420 workers from the inner regions of the Brazilian states of Alagoas and Bahia. The reliability and dimensionality of the collected data were analyzed by McDonald’s Omega and exploratory factor analysis, respectively. Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to create parameters for the discomfort scale. RESULTS: The musculoskeletal discomfort metric was constructed from the workers’ response with six levels (varying from minimum discomfort to maximum discomfort). At the lowest level of the scale, workers indicated symptoms in the shoulders and wrists were rare. At the highest level of the scale, daily pain symptoms are reported in all regions of the upper limbs. The shoulders are the last region to develop extreme pain symptoms. CONCLUSION: The metric was created to present satisfactory psychometric properties and capable measurement of the workers’ level of musculoskeletal discomfort based on self-reported pain symptoms. Therefore, the metric can support measuring discomfort, contributing to decisions that improve a healthier occupational environment for the worker.

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Dimensional assessment of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms by workers: A multi-case study

Serafim,

Bispo,

da Silva

et al. 2024

WOR

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BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) encompass a range of conditions affecting muscles, tendons, and nerves. Visual diagrams are widely used to identify symptoms and to generate musculoskeletal discomfort metrics. However, there is no consensus on the number of discomfort dimensions that can originate from self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms by individuals. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the fit of WMSD symptom models from workers in two samples of different sizes. METHODS: A combination of Full-Information Item Factor Analysis (FIFA) and Item Response Theory (IRT) was utilized to analyze and test the models. The study was conducted in two samples of workers (n1 = 6944 and n2 = 420) who had their symptoms identified with the aid of a human body diagram. An analysis was conducted considering each sample’s unidimensional and three multidimensional models. RESULTS: The unidimensional model (general musculoskeletal discomfort), bi-dimensional model (discomfort in upper and lower body), and tridimensional model (discomfort in the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk) showed good values of factor loading and communalities, along with satisfactory item discrimination ability. Regardless of sample size, parameter estimation for IRT and FIFA proceeded without issues, presenting suitable fit parameters. CONCLUSION: Three models were valid and reliable for more extensive and smaller samples. However, the tridimensional model was best for generating discomfort scores in body regions. Companies and safety professionals can use these findings to devise strategies to mitigate musculoskeletal pains based on perceived symptom locations.

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Effects of multiple risk factors on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders among workers in inner Brazil

Cited by 4 publications

References 49 publications

Construction of a Musculoskeletal Discomfort Scale for the Lower Limbs of Workers: An Analysis Using the Multigroup Item Response Theory

Construction of a Musculoskeletal Discomfort Scale for the Lower Limbs of Workers: An Analysis Using the Multigroup Item Response Theory

Assessment of the musculoskeletal discomfort scale for upper limb among workers in inner Brazil

Dimensional assessment of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms by workers: A multi-case study

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