Wrist Extensor Muscle Fatigue During a Dual Task With Two Muscular and Cognitive Load Levels in Younger and Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of concurrent physical and cognitive demands as well as age on indicators of muscle fatigue at the wrist. BACKGROUND: There are few studies examining risk indicators for musculoskeletal disorders associated with work-related physical and cognitive demands that often occur simultaneously in the workplace. METHODS: Twenty-four gender-balanced older and 24 gender-balanced younger (mean age 60 and 23 years) participants performed four 30 min dual tasks. Tasks differed by the muscular load level during force tracking: 5% and 10% of maximum voluntary contraction force (MVC) and concurrent cognitive demands on the working memory: easy and difficult. Muscle fatigue was assessed by MVC decline and changes in surface electromyography (increased root mean square: RMS, decreased median frequency: MF) at the extensor digitorum (ED) and extensor carpi ulnaris (EU). RESULTS: A decline in MVC was found in all participants when tracking was performed at 10% MVC (mean ± SD: 137.9 ± 49.2 - 123.0 ± 45.3 N). Irrespective of age, muscular, or cognitive load, RMS increased (ED 12.3 ± 6.5 - 14.1 ± 7.0% MVE, EU 15.4 ± 7.6 - 16.9 ± 8.6% MVE) and MF decreased (ED 85.4 ± 13.6 - 83.2 ± 12.8 Hz, EU 107.2 ± 17.1 - 104.3 ± 16.7 Hz) in both muscles. However, changes in MF of EU tended to be more pronounced in the older group at higher cognitive and lower muscular load, without reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Maximum voluntary contraction indicated no interaction between muscle fatigue, cognitive load, or age. However, the tendencies toward altered muscle activity due to an increase in cognitive load and older age suggest muscular adaptations while maintaining tracking performance during the onset of fatigue signs in the sEMG signal. APPLICATION: If the tendencies in muscle activity are confirmed by further studies, ergonomic assessments in industrial workplaces should consider cognitive load and age when describing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Effect of Periodic Voluntary Interventions on Trapezius Activation and Fatigue During Light Upper Limb Activity.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of diverse periodic interventions on trapezius muscle fatigue and activity during a full day of computer work were investigated. BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders, including trapezius myalgia, may be associated with repeated exposure to prolonged low-level activity, even during light upper-extremity tasks including computer work. METHODS: Thirty healthy adults participated in a study that simulated two 6-hour workdays of computer work. One workday involved imposed periodic passive and active interventions aimed at disrupting trapezius contraction monotony (Intervention day), whereas the other workday did not (Control day). Trapezius muscle activity was quantified by the 3-dimensional acceleration of the jolt movement of the acromion produced by electrically induced muscle twitches. The spatio-temporal distribution of trapezius activity was measured through high-density surface electromyography (HD-EMG). RESULTS: The twitch acceleration magnitude in one direction was significantly different across measurement periods (p = 0.0156) on Control day, whereas no significant differences in any direction were observed (p > 0.05) on Intervention day. The HD-EMG from Intervention day showed that only significant voluntary muscle contractions (swing arms, Jacobson maneuver) induced a decrease in the muscle activation time and an increase in the spatial muscle activation areas (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Disruption of trapezius monotonous activity via brief voluntary contractions effectively modified the ensuing contraction pattern (twitch acceleration along one axis, active epochs reduction, and larger spatial distribution). The observed changes support an associated reduction of muscle fatigue. APPLICATION: This study suggests that disruptive intervention activity is efficient in reducing the impact of trapezius muscle fatigue.

Physiological changes during prolonged standing and walking considering age, gender and standing work experience.

Occupational standing is associated with musculoskeletal and venous disorders. The aim was to investigate whether lower leg oedema and muscle fatigue development differ between standing and walking and whether age, gender and standing work habituation are factors to consider. Sixty participants (15 young females, 15 young males, 15 older males, and 15 young males habituated to standing work) were included and required to stand/walk for 4.5 hours in three periods with two seated breaks. Waterplethysmography/bioelectrical impedance, muscle twitch force and surface electromyography were used to assess lower leg swelling (LLS) and muscle fatigue as well as gastrocnemius muscle activity, respectively. While standing led to LLS and muscle fatigue, walking did not. Low-level medial gastrocnemius activity was not continuous during standing. No significant influence of age, gender and standing habituation was observed. Walking can be an effective prevention measure to counteract the detrimental effects of quasi-static standing.Practitioner summary: Prolonged standing leads to lower leg oedema and muscle fatigue while walking does not. The primary cause of fatigue may be in other muscles than the medial gastrocnemius. Walking may be an effective prevention measure for health risks of occupational standing when included intermittently.Abbreviation: BI: bioelectrical impedance; LLS: lower leg swelling; SEMG: surface electromyography; MTF: muscle twitch force; WP: waterplethysmography; Bsl: Baseline; L: Lunch; E: Evening; MTM: method times measurement; EA: electrical activity; IQR: interquartile range; p: percentile; M: mean; SE: standard error; Adj: adjusted.

Physiological and neuromotor changes induced by two different stand-walk-sit work rotations.

The potential of rotating postures to alleviate the effects of prolonged standing and sitting postures has been advocated to attenuate the accumulation of muscle fatigue, considered a precursor to musculoskeletal disorders. We aimed to evaluate the effects of two posture rotations, both including standing, walking, sitting, on physiological and neuromotor measures. Twenty-two participants followed two posture rotations, with different rest-break distributions, for 5.25 h. Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, force control and discomfort perception were evaluated during and after work exposure on two non-consecutive days. Significant changes in all measures indicate a detrimental effect in lower-leg long-lasting muscle fatigue, oedema, performance and discomfort after 5 h for both exposures. However, for both exposures recovery was significant 1 h and 15 h post-workday. Differences between the two rotation schedules were not significant. Hence, stand-walk-sit posture rotation promotes recovery of the tested measures and is likely to better prevent muscle fatigue accumulation. Practitioner summary: Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, force control, and discomfort were quantified during and after 5 h of stand-walk-sit work rotations with two different rest-break distributions. Measures revealed similar significant effects of work exposures regardless of rotation; which did not persist post-work. This beneficial recovery contrasts with the standing only situations. Abbreviations: MSDs: musculoskeletal disorders; MTF: muscle twitch force; RMSE: root mean square error; MVC: maximum voluntary contraction; M: mean; SE: standard error.

Correction to: Lower limb pain among workers: a cross-sectional analysis of the fifth European Working Conditions Survey.

The article Lower limb pain among workers: a cross­sectional analysis of the fifth European Working Conditions Survey.

Muscular and Vascular Issues Induced by Prolonged Standing With Different Work-Rest Cycles With Active or Passive Breaks.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-lasting motor, behavioral, physiological, and perceptual effects of prolonged standing work in three work-rest cycle conditions including passive or active rest breaks. BACKGROUND: Muscle fatigue has been evidenced after prolonged standing work through physiological and neuromotor measures. It has been postulated that muscle fatigue induced by prolonged work could be attenuated by appropriate scheduling of work and rest periods. However, investigations in this domain remain limited. METHOD: Thirty participants simulated standing work for 5 hr with work-rest cycles of short, medium, or long standing periods including passive or active breaks. Lower-leg muscle twitch force (MTF), muscle oxygenation, lower-leg volume, postural stability, force control, and discomfort perception were quantified on 2 days. RESULTS: Prolonged standing induced significant changes in all measures immediately after 5 hr of work, indicating a detrimental effect in long-lasting muscle fatigue, performance, discomfort, and vascular aspects. Differences in the measures were not significant between work cycles and/or break type. CONCLUSION: Similar physiological and motor alterations were induced by prolonged standing. The absence of difference in the effects induced by the tested work-rest cycles suggests that simply altering the work-rest cycle may not be sufficient to counteract the effects of mainly static standing work. Finally, standing for 3 hr or more shows clear detrimental effects. APPLICATION: Prolonged standing is likely to contribute to musculoskeletal and vascular symptoms. A limitation to less than 3 hr of mostly static standing in occupational activities could avoid alterations leading to these symptoms.

Lower limb pain among workers: a cross-sectional analysis of the fifth European Working Conditions Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a model to predict the prevalence of lower limb pain using indicators of high workplace exposures based on the fifth European Working Conditions Survey, evaluate its impact and explore its significance for work-related health problems. METHOD: Cross-sectional interview data of 35,372 workers from 27 countries of the European Union in 2010 (EU27) were used to develop (20% sample) and validate (80% sample) a logistic regression model for lower limb pain. Independent variables included descriptions of working conditions, assessments of physical and psychosocial exposures at work, and demographic factors. The impact of the model was explored through the amount of lower limb pain cases attributable to work and estimating work absences correlated with lower limb pain. RESULTS: The resulting logistic model included ten risks indicators and one preventive factor. The highest odds ratios (OR) corresponded to "tiring or painful positions" OR 2.0, 99% confidence interval (99% CI) 1.9-2.2, and "not satisfied with level of working conditions in the job" (OR 1.6, 99% CI 1.5-1.7). The prevalence of work-related lower limb pain was 16.5% for men and 15.8% for women for the 27 countries of the European Union. Estimates based on the developed model revealed more than 34 million cases of work-related lower limb pain, where four physical risks explained about 22 million cases. In addition, more than 3 million days of absence from work in 2010 could be attributed to lower limb pain. CONCLUSION: Lower limb pain is highly prevalent among the European workforce and work exposures are a major contributing factor. Effective workplace interventions should aim at improving working conditions at workplaces with multiple risks.

Trapezius muscle activity and body movement at the beginning and the end of a workday and during the lunch period in female office employees.

The aim of this study was to analyze the activity of the trapezius muscle and the arm acceleration during the course of a workday in office employees. It was examined if there are significant changes in trapezius muscle activity in the afternoon compared to the morning work period and relationships to the level of arm acceleration during lunchtime. Nineteen female office employees were recruited. A one hour period of the work in the morning, afternoon, and lunchtime were compared. The measures of the trapezius muscle activity and muscle rest time (TR) did not significantly differ between working in the morning (TR: median 10%; range 1%-49) or working in the afternoon (TR: median 18%; range 2%-34%). The 90th percentile of arm acceleration during lunch time significantly correlated with less trapezius muscle activity in the afternoon compared to the morning values (RT: Spearman R=0.80; p<0.01). Differences in the duration and level of trapezius muscle activity were bigger between the subjects than between different work periods or between lunchtime and work. Furthermore it seems that higher arm accelerations during lunch may be beneficial in reducing trapezius activity in the afternoon compared to the morning values.

Long-Lasting Changes in Muscle Twitch Force During Simulated Work While Standing or Walking.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-lasting effects of prolonged standing work on a hard floor or floor mat and slow-pace walking on muscle twitch force (MTF) elicited by electrical stimulation. BACKGROUND: Prolonged standing work may alter lower-leg muscle function, which can be quantified by changes in the MTF amplitude and duration related to muscle fatigue. Ergonomic interventions have been proposed to mitigate fatigue and discomfort; however, their influences remain controversial. METHOD: Ten men and eight women simulated standing work in 320-min experiments with three conditions: standing on a hard floor or an antifatigue mat and walking on a treadmill, each including three seated rest breaks. MTF in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscles was evaluated through changes in signal amplitude and duration. RESULTS: The significant decrease of MTF amplitude and an increase of duration after standing work on a hard floor and on a mat persisted beyond 1 hr postwork. During walking, significant MTF metrics changes appeared 30 min postwork. MTF amplitude decrease was not significant after the first 110 min in any of the conditions; however, MTF duration was significantly higher than baseline in the standing conditions. CONCLUSION: Similar long-lasting weakening of MTF was induced by standing on a hard floor and on an antifatigue mat. However, walking partially attenuated this phenomenon. APPLICATION: Mostly static standing is likely to contribute to alterations of MTF in lower-leg muscles and potentially to musculoskeletal disorders regardless of the flooring characteristics. Occupational activities including slow-pace walking may reduce such deterioration in muscle function.

Solid phase microextraction Arrow for the sampling of volatile amines in wastewater and atmosphere.

A new method is introduced for the sampling of volatile low molecular weight alkylamines in ambient air and wastewater by utilizing a novel SPME Arrow system, which contains a larger volume of sorbent compared to a standard SPME fiber. Parameters affecting the extraction, such as coating material, need for preconcentration, sample volume, pH, stirring rate, salt addition, extraction time and temperature were carefully optimized. In addition, analysis conditions, including desorption temperature and time as well as gas chromatographic parameters, were optimized. Compared to conventional SPME fiber, the SPME Arrow had better robustness and sensitivity. Average intermediate reproducibility of the method expressed as relative standard deviation was 12% for dimethylamine and 14% for trimethylamine, and their limit of quantification 10µg/L and 0.13µg/L respectively. Working range was from limits of quantification to 500µg/L for dimethylamine and to 130µg/L for trimethylamine. Several alkylamines were qualitatively analyzed in real samples, while target compounds dimethyl- and trimethylamines were quantified. The concentrations in influent and effluent wastewater samples were almost the same (∼80µg/L for dimethylamine, 120µg/L for trimethylamine) meaning that amines pass the water purification process unchanged or they are produced at the same rate as they are removed. For the air samples, preconcentration with phosphoric acid coated denuder was required and the concentration of trimethylamine was found to be around 1ng/m(3). The developed method was compared with optimized method based on conventional SPME and advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are discussed.

Long-Term Muscle Fatigue After Standing Work.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine long-term fatigue effects in the lower limbs associated with standing work and to estimate possible age and gender influences. BACKGROUND: The progressive accumulation of muscle fatigue effects is assumed to lead to musculoskeletal disorders, as fatigue generated by sustained low-level exertions exhibits long-lasting effects. However, these effects have received little attention in the lower limbs. METHOD: Fourteen men and 12 women from two different age groups simulated standing work for 5 hr including 5-min seated rest breaks and a 30-min lunch. The younger group was also tested in a control day. Muscle fatigue was quantified by electrically induced muscle twitches (muscle twitch force [MTF]), postural stability, and subjective evaluation of discomfort. RESULTS: MTF showed a significant fatigue effect after standing work that persisted beyond 30 min after the end of the workday. MTF was not affected on the control day. The center of pressure displacement speed increased significantly over time after standing work but was also affected on the control day. Subjective evaluations of discomfort indicated a significant increase in perception of fatigue immediately after the end of standing work; however, this perception did not persist 30 min after. Age and gender did not influence fatigue. CONCLUSION: Objective measures show the long-term effects of muscle fatigue after 5 hr of standing work; however, this fatigue is no longer perceived after 30 min of rest postwork. APPLICATION: The present results suggest that occupational activities requiring prolonged standing are likely to contribute to lower-extremity and/or back disorders.

Relationship between sleep stages and nocturnal trapezius muscle activity.

OBJECTIVE: Former studies reported a relationship between increased nocturnal low level trapezius muscle activity and neck or shoulder pain but it has not been explored whether trapezius muscle relaxation is related to sleep stages. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether trapezius muscle activity is related to different sleep stages, as measured by polysomnography. METHODS: Twenty one healthy subjects were measured on four consecutive nights in their homes, whereas the first night served as adaptation night. The measurements included full polysomnography (electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG), electromyography (EMG) and electrocardiography (ECG)), as well as surface EMG of the m. trapezius descendens of the dominant arm. RESULTS: Periods with detectable EMG activity of the trapezius muscle lasted on average 1.5% of the length of the nights and only in four nights it lasted longer than 5% of sleeping time. Neither rest time nor the length of periods with higher activity levels of the trapezius muscle did significantly differ between sleep stages. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that nocturnal trapezius muscle activity is markedly moderated by the different sleep stages. Thus the results support that EMG measurements of trapezius muscle activity in healthy subjects can be carried out without concurrent polysomnographic recordings.

Circadian rhythm of heart rate and physical activity in nurses during day and night shifts.

PURPOSE: The study investigates if the circadian rhythm of heart rate is apparent during the working periods of day and night shifts in Swiss and Japanese nurses and if it is influenced by work organization. For a better interpretation of the heart rate, the activity profile over these working periods was monitored. METHODS: Heart rate and activity profile of 18 Swiss and 24 Japanese nurses were measured during one day and one night shift. The day and the night shift data of each subject were combined, resulting in an approximately 18-h working period. RESULTS: A significant time effect of the mean hourly value of the heart rate was found in Swiss nurses (change in amplitude 7.1 bpm) as well as in Japanese nurses (11.8 bpm). These effects could be modeled with cosine curves for the Swiss and Japanese subjects. For the activity level significant time effects, similar to the ones in heart rate, were found in Swiss nurses (87 % of SD) but not in Japanese nurses (26 % of SD). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant time effect in heart rate similar to the known circadian rhythm under normal sleep-wake conditions while working in the studied shift work schedules. In the Japanese nurses, studied heart rate followed a circadian rhythm independently of the level of physical activity. Therefore, an activity profile following the circadian rhythm, especially a reduced workload from 2 to 4 a.m., is proposed. The proposed activity profile could be reached with an adapted work organization.

Trapezius muscle load, heart rate and time pressure during day and night shift in Swiss and Japanese nurses.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the activity of the trapezius muscle, the heart rate and the time pressure of Swiss and Japanese nurses during day and night shifts. The parameters were measured during a day and a night shift of 17 Swiss and 22 Japanese nurses. The observed rest time of the trapezius muscle was longer for Swiss than for Japanese nurses during both shifts. The 10th and the 50th percentile of the trapezius muscle activity showed a different effect for Swiss than for Japanese nurses. It was higher during the day shift of Swiss nurses and higher during the night shift of Japanese nurses. Heart rate was higher for both Swiss and Japanese nurses during the day. The time pressure was significantly higher for Japanese than for Swiss nurses. Over the duration of the shifts, time pressure increased for Japanese nurses and slightly decreased for those from Switzerland. Considering trapezius muscle activity and time pressure, the nursing profession was more burdening for the examined Japanese nurses than for Swiss nurses. In particular, the night shift for Japanese nurses was characterized by a high trapezius muscle activity and only few rest times for the trapezius muscle.

Physical workload, trapezius muscle activity, and neck pain in nurses' night and day shifts: a physiological evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to compare physical workload, electromyography (EMG) of the trapezius muscle, neck pain and mental well-being at work between night and day shifts in twenty Swiss nurses. Work pulse (average increase of heart rate over resting heart rate) was lower during night (27 bpm) compared to day shifts (34 bpm; p < 0.01). Relative arm acceleration also indicated less physical activity during night (82% of average) compared to day shifts (110%; p < 0.01). Rest periods were significantly longer during night shifts. Trapezius muscle rest time was longer during night (13% of shift duration) than day shifts (7%; p < 0.01) and the 50th percentile of EMG activity was smaller (p = 0.02), indicating more opportunities for muscle relaxation during night shifts. Neck pain and mental well-being at work were similar between shifts. Subjective perception of burden was similar between shifts despite less physical burden at night, suggesting there are other contributing factors.

Work-life conflict and musculoskeletal disorders: a cross-sectional study of an unexplored association.

BACKGROUND: The health consequences of work-family or rather work-life conflict (WLC) have been studied by numerous researchers. The work-related causes of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are also well explored. And stress (at work) has been found to be a consequence of WLC as well as a cause of MSD. But very little is known about a potential association between WLC and MSD and the possible mediating role of stress in this relationship. METHODS: Survey data collected in 2007 among the workforces of four large companies in Switzerland were used for this study. The study population covered 6091 employees. As the exposure variable and hypothesized risk factor for MSD, WLC was measured by using a 10-item scale based on an established 18-item scale on work-family conflict. The outcome variables used as indicators of MSD were (low) back pain and neck/shoulder pain. Stress as the assumed intervening variable was assessed by a validated single-item measure of general stress perception. Correlation coefficients (r), standardized regression coefficients (ß) and multiple adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated as measures of association. RESULTS: WLC was found to be quite strongly associated with MSD (ß=.21). This association turned out to be substantially confounded by physical strain at work, workload and job autonomy and was considerably reduced but far from being completely eliminated after adjusting for general stress as another identified risk factor of MSD and a proven strong correlate of WLC (r=.44). A significant and relevant association still remained (ß=.10) after having controlled for all considered covariates. This association could be fully attributed to only one direction of WLC, namely the work-to-life conflict. In subsequent analyses, a clear gradient between this WLC direction and both types of MSD was found, and proved to be consistent for both men and women. Employees who were most exposed to such work-to-life conflict were also most at risk and showed a fivefold higher prevalence rate (19%-42%) and also an up to sixfold increased relative risk (OR = 3.8-6.3) of suffering greatly from these types of MSD compared with the least exposed reference group showing very low WLC in this direction. Including stress in the regression models again reduced the strength of the association significantly (OR=1.9-4.1), giving an indication for a possible indirect effect of WLC on MSD mediated by stress. CONCLUSION: Future research and workplace interventions for the prevention of MSD need to consider WLC as an important stressor, and the MSD risk factor identified in this study.

Course of back pain across 5 years: a retrospective cohort study in the general population of Switzerland.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study in the general population of Switzerland. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the course of back pain (BP) across 5 years and the impact of BP history on its incidence and recurrence. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Longitudinal studies on BP performed in the general population have reported varying prevalence and incidence rates. Most studies compared two points in time with varying time periods. This study adds information about the course of BP exploring five points in time with annual intervals. METHODS: The Swiss Household Panel is a representative population-based cohort study (N = 7799). The question analyzed in the present study asked about "bad back or lower back problems at least once a month in the last 12 months (BP)." Among 7791 persons who answered this question during the baseline survey in 1999, 3881 persons (49.8%) completed all annual follow-up surveys through 2003 and represent the study sample. In each year, the 1-year prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of BP were calculated. The course of BP was analyzed according to the number of years with BP, the constancy of BP status, and the trend of BP. For each analysis, the observed frequency was compared with expected frequencies on the basis of two theoretical models. RESULTS: In the study sample (age 44.0 ± 15.6 years, 57.7% women), BP prevalence was 33.2% at baseline. In the follow-up surveys, mean prevalence was 37.7%, mean incidence 19.6%, and mean recurrence 69.0%. The most frequently observed courses across 5 years were those with a constant status: BP always absent (n = 1346, 34.7%) or BP always present (n = 538, 13.9%). BP recurrences increased with increasing numbers of previous consecutive years with BP from 46.9% (1 year of previous BP) to 88.1% (at least 4 years of previous BP). CONCLUSION: BP history is highly predictive for future BP episodes.

Symptomatology of recurrent low back pain in nursing and administrative professions.

The aim of the present study was to explore if (a) recurrent low back pain (LBP) has different symptomatologies in cases from occupations with predominantly sitting postures compared to cases from occupations involving dynamic postures and frequent lifting and (b) if in the two occupational groups, different factors were associated with the presence of recurrent LBP. Hundred and eleven female subjects aged between 45 and 62 years with a long-standing occupation either in administrative or nursing professions, with and without recurrent LBP were examined. An extensive evaluation of six areas of interest (pain and disability, clinical examination, functional tests, MR examination, physical and psychosocial workplace factors) was performed. The variables from the six areas of interest were analyzed for their potential to discriminate between the four groups of subjects (administrative worker and nurses with and without recurrent LBP) by canonical discriminant analysis. As expected, the self-evaluation of physical and psychosocial workplace factors showed significant differences between the two occupational groups, which holds true for cases as well as for controls (P < 0.01). The functional tests revealed a tendency for rather good capacity in nurses with LBP and a decreased capacity in administrative personnel with LBP (P = 0.049). Neither self completed pain and disability questionnaires nor clinical examination or MR imaging revealed any significant difference between LBP cases from sedentary and non-sedentary occupations. When comparing LBP cases and controls within the two occupational groups, the functional tests revealed significant differences (P = 0.0001) yet only in administrative personnel. The clinical examination on the other hand only discriminated between LBP cases and controls in the nurses group (P < 0.0001). Neither MRI imaging nor self reported physical and psychosocial workplace factors discriminated between LBP cases and controls from both occupational groups. Although we used a battery of tests that have broad application in clinical and epidemiological studies of LBP, a clear difference in the pattern of symptoms between LBP cases from nursing and hospital administration personnel could not be ascertained. We conclude that there is no evidence for different mechanisms leading to non-specific, recurrent LBP in the two occupations, and thus no generalizable recommendations for the prevention and therapy of non-specific LBP in the two professions can be given.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine: findings in female subjects from administrative and nursing professions.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. OBJECTIVE: To find out whether different patterns of lumbar disc degeneration related to different physical work types (static vs. dynamic) can be found. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The association of lumbar disc degeneration with physical workload as well as the association of disc degeneration with low back pain (LBP) has been debated controversially. Nevertheless, many of the mainly invasive treatment concepts are based on disc degeneration models. METHODS: An MRI study was performed in female subjects aged 45 to 62 years with persistent LBP and in age-matched controls. Subjects (n = 109) were selected from nursing and administrative professions. A questionnaire was used to assess the subjects' exposure to physical workplace factors. Disc degeneration, disc herniation, nerve root compromise, high intensity zones, endplate changes, and facet joint osteoarthritis were evaluated based on sagittal T1- and T2-weighted as well as axial T2-weighted images. RESULTS: The two occupational groups could clearly be distinguished by the physical workplace factors: administrative work was associated with predominantly sitting postures whereas nursing work was associated with frequent walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting. Except for endplate (Modic) changes at L5-S1, MRI findings did not differ between the four groups, namely, nurses and secretaries with and without LBP. When analyzing the MRI findings within the two vocational groups, nerve root compromise and endplate changes in the lower lumbar spine were found to be significant (P < 0.05) risk factors for LBP. Disc degeneration, disc herniation, nerve root compromise, and facet joint osteoarthritis were present in more than 50% of the intervertebral spaces studied. CONCLUSIONS: These findings give evidence that in subjects performing nonheavy work, patterns of lumbar disc degeneration are not associated with the job type and characteristic physical loadings.