Effects of Passiflora incarnata and Valeriana officinalis in the control of anxiety due to tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of Valeriana officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L. to control anxiety, surgical discomfort, and changes in vital signs of patients undergoing extraction of two unilateral third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial. Fifty-four patients were allocated into three groups (Valeriana officinalis L., Passiflora incarnata L., and placebo). Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trace Anxiety Inventory (STAI) index, surgical discomfort using the QCirDental, and through the measurement of vital signs. The surgical times evaluated were before (T0), during (T1), and after surgery (T2). RESULTS: There was evidence that both Valeriana officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L., reduced STAY-S scores between T0 and T2 (p < .05), unlike placebo (p = .129). There was no change in surgical discomfort in all groups over time, and vital signs presented variable results. CONCLUSION: Phytotherapy drugs showed a reduction in anxiety state compared to the placebo group during third molar extraction procedure.  CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: klRBR-6kcxvrc, March 10, 2022.

Analysis of thermal discomfort associated with synoptic conditions in the city of Pelotas, southernmost region of Brazil.

Here, we evaluated the influence of outdoor environmental conditions (synoptic weather conditions) on human thermal discomfort in the five macro-regions of Pelotas city, located in the southernmost region of Brazil. To do this, meteorological sensors (HOBO MX2301A) were installed outside the residences to measure the air temperature, dew point temperature, and relative humidity between 18 January and 20 August 2019. Two well-established simplified biometeorological indices were examined seasonally: (i) humidex for the summer months and (ii) effective temperature as a function of wind for the autumn and winter months. Our findings showed seasonal differences related to human thermal discomfort and outdoor environmental conditions. The thermal discomfort was highest in the afternoons during the summer months and at night during the winter months. The seasonal variation in human thermal discomfort was highly associated with the meteorological conditions. In summer, the presence of the South Atlantic Subtropical Anticyclone (SASA) contributed to heat stress. The SASA combined with the continent's low humidity contributed to the perceived sensation of thermal discomfort. In the winter, thermal discomfort was associated with the decrease in air humidity caused by high atmospheric pressure systems, which led to a decrease in both air temperature and air moisture content. Our findings suggest that a better understanding of the complex interplay between outdoor environmental factors and human thermal comfort is needed in order to mitigate the negative effects of thermal discomfort.

Ergonomia en actividades académicas desde casa

Introducción: A consecuencia de la emergencia sanitaria por el virus SARS-CoV2, las actividades académicas migraron de forma repentina a un entorno de trabajo remoto; esto provocó que los hogares de todo el mundo se convirtieran en el asentamiento urgente de las estaciones de trabajo académico. La ergonomia como disciplina científica cobra relevancia al ser un aliado subsanador para mitigar los riesgos asociados con la aparición de lesiones musculoesqueléticas. De acuerdo con la memoria estadística del Instituto Mexicano de Seguridad Social, IMSS1, en el primer año de pandemia de COVID-19 se registraron 30 860 atenciones por lesiones en la región de manos y muñecas, 9696 en la zona de cabeza y cuello, 6251 dorsopatías y 1673 atenciones por astenopia a jóvenes de entre 18 a 29 años que desarrollaban actividades escolares. Objetivo: En este sentido, se aborda la presente investigación para conocer la composición de los espacios de trabajo académico en casa y analizar si existen factores o elementos que incidan en el riesgo de lesiones musculoesqueléticas en los estudiantes del nivel superior. Metodología: A través de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que cuenta con el constructo latente de las posibles lesiones (PL) en manos, espalda, piernas, cabeza, vista, oído, agotamiento físico y la respiración, las variables observables se atribuyen a los espacios utilizados para las actividades académicas en casa, muebles y equipos, Condiciones y Medio Ambiente (CyMAT). Resultados y discusión: Se encontró que un mal diseño de la estación de trabajo académico en casa, aunado a la utilización inadecuada de los muebles y equipos, aumenta la posibilidad de presentar síntomas asociados con las LMEs y, por tanto, daños en la salud del estudiante. Conclusión: La mediación de las estaciones de trabajo a través de la implementación de elementos ergonómicos mejora de forma sustancial la calidad de trabajo académico en casa, y hace evidente la importancia de la ergonomía como disciplina científica.

Introduction: As a result of the health emergency of the SARS-CoV2 virus, academic activities suddenly migrated to a remote work environment, causing homes around the world to become the urgent settlement of academic workstations. Ergonomics as a scientific discipline becomes relevant as it is a healing ally to mitigate the risks associated with the appearance of musculoskeletal injuries. According to the statistical report of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, IMSS1, in the first year of the COVID 19 pandemic, 30,860 care for injuries in the hands and wrists region, 9,696 in the head and neck area, 6,251 dorsopathies and 1,673 care for asthenopia were registered to young people between 18 and 29 years old who develop school activities. Objective: In this sense, this research is addressed to know the composition of academic workspaces at home and analyze if some factors or elements affect the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in students of the higher level. Methodology: Through a structural equations model that has the latent construct of possible injuries (PL) in the hands, back, legs, head, eyesight, hearing, physical exhaustion, and breathing; the observable variables are attributed to the spaces used for academic activities at home, furniture and equipment, conditions and environment (CyMAT) Results and discussion: It is explored that a bad design of the academic workstation at home coupled with the inappropriate use of furniture and equipment increases the possibility of presenting symptoms associated with SCI and therefore, damage to the student's health. Conclusion: The mediation of workstations through the implementation of ergonomic elements substantially improves the quality of academic work at home, making evident the importance of ergonomics as a scientific discipline

Surgical fatigue syndrome and EDiS3 intervention, should every surgeon need to know how to mitigate muscle skeletal discomfort?

Background: Surgical fatigue syndrome (SFS) is a frequent, but underestimated, entity that occurs during laparoscopic surgeries. It could impair surgical outcomes, patient safety, and surgeon health. Furthermore, current surgical education lacks effective interventions to avoid it. Discomfort represents the most common manifestation and includes musculoskeletal fatigue, numbness, or frank pain. The most common affected sites are the back neck, dominant hand shoulder, and high or low back. We propose an integral intervention (surgeon posture, instruments/devices design & use and discomfort improvement) that prevents or mitigates SFS. Methods: An experimental study was conducted on 57 general surgery residents and general surgeons. Participants in the experimental and control group executed standardized laparoscopic knots in a simulator and knowledge, body discomfort, and posture/ergonomic risk was evaluated before and after intervention application. Results: A statistically significant decrease in discomfort intensity was found in the experimental group. Also, discomfort presentation by the anatomic site diminishes and surgical performance improves. Conclusions: Intervention prevents or mitigates discomfort associated with muscle-skeletal component of SFS. ACGME competency: Practice Based-Learning and Improvement.

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

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.

Las relaciones de la regulación de las emociones con la procastinación, la satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia al malestar

Introducción: La regulación de las emociones implica la modulación de las experiencias de las emociones para facilitar la consecución de los objetivos, por el contrario, las dificultades emocionales son un patrón de experiencias y/o expresiones emocionales que interfieren con el comportamiento dirigido a objetivos. Objetivos: Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la relación entre las dificultades en la regulación emocional con la postergación, la satisfacción con la vida y la resiliencia a la angustia. Método: La muestra consistió en 366 personas de la población general, con una media de edad de 33 años (DE=15) y un 62.1% de mujeres. Resultados: La postergación se relaciona positivamente con las seis estrategias de dificultades en la regulación de las emociones y el afecto negativo (AN), y negativamente con el afecto positivo (AP), la satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia a la angustia. La satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia a la angustia se relacionan negativamente con las estrategias de regulación identificadas y con el afecto negativo, y positivamente con el afecto positivo. La postergación, una vez controlado el AN y el AP se predice por la falta de claridad y la falta de objetivos. La satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia a la angustia son predichas por menos falta de estrategias. Conclusiones: Se concluye que de las variables sociodemográficas solo la edad es relevante en la postergación, dado que las personas menores de 21 años puntúan más elevado en este constructo. La postergación se relaciona positivamente con las seis dimensiones de las dificultades en la regulación de las emociones, en las que es predicha por la falta de objetivos y la falta de claridad, sin embargo, la satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia al malestar por menos falta de estrategias.

Background: Emotion regulation involves the modulation of emotional experiences to facilitate goal attainment. Conversely, emotional difficulties are a pattern of emotional experiences and expressions that interfere with goal-directed behavior. Objectives: Our aim was to determine the relationship between emotional regulation difficulties with procrastination, life satisfaction, and resilience to distress. Methods: The sample consisted of 366 individuals from the general population, with a mean age of 33 years (SD=15) and 62.1% female. Results: Procrastination was positively related to the six emotional distress regulation strategies and negative affect (NA), and negatively related to positive affect (PA). Life satisfaction and distress endurance are negatively related to the identified regulation strategies and NA, and positively related to PA. Procrastination, once NA and PA are controlled is predicted by lack of clarity and lack of goals. Satisfaction with life and resistance to distress are predicted by less lack of strategies. Conclusions: It is concluded that of the sociodemographic variables only age is relevant to procrastination, given that people younger than 21 years score higher on this construct. Procrastination is positively related to the six dimensions of difficulties in emotion regulation, where it is predicted by lack of goals and lack of clarity, however, satisfaction with life and resistance to discomfort by less lack of strategies.

Relationships of emotion regulation to procrastination, life satisfaction and resilience to discomfort / Las relaciones de la regulación de las emociones con la procastinación, la satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia al malestar

Background: Emotion regulation involves the modulation of emotional experiences to facilitate goal attainment. Conversely, emotional difficulties are a pattern of emotional experiences and expressions that interfere with goal-directed behavior. Objectives: Our aim was to determine the relationship between emotional regulation difficulties with procrastination, life satisfaction, and resilience to distress. Methods: The sample consisted of 366 individuals from the general population, with a mean age of 33 years (SD=15) and 62.1% female. Results: Procrastination was positively related to the six emotional distress regulation strategies and negative affect (NA), and negatively related to positive affect (PA). Life satisfaction and distress endurance are negatively related to the identified regulation strategies and NA, and positively related to PA. Procrastination, once NA and PA are controlled is predicted by lack of clarity and lack of goals. Satisfaction with life and resistance to distress are predicted by less lack of strategies. Conclusions: It is concluded that of the sociodemographic variables only age is relevant to procrastination, given that people younger than 21 years score higher on this construct. Procrastination is positively related to the six dimensions of difficulties in emotion regulation, where it is predicted by lack of goals and lack of clarity, however, satisfaction with life and resistance to discomfort by less lack of strategies.

Introducción: La regulación de las emociones implica la modulación de las experiencias de las emociones para facilitar la consecución de los objetivos, por el contrario, las dificultades emocionales son un patrón de experiencias y/o expresiones emocionales que interfieren con el comportamiento dirigido a objetivos. Objetivos: Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la relación entre las dificultades en la regulación emocional con la postergación, la satisfacción con la vida y la resiliencia a la angustia. Método: La muestra consistió en 366 personas de la población general, con una media de edad de 33 años (DE=15) y un 62.1% de mujeres. Resultados: La postergación se relaciona positivamente con las seis estrategias de dificultades en la regulación de las emociones y el afecto negativo (AN), y negativamente con el afecto positivo (AP), la satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia a la angustia. La satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia a la angustia se relacionan negativamente con las estrategias de regulación identificadas y con el afecto negativo, y positivamente con el afecto positivo. La postergación, una vez controlado el AN y el AP se predice por la falta de claridad y la falta de objetivos. La satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia a la angustia son predichas por menos falta de estrategias. Conclusiones: Se concluye que de las variables sociodemográficas solo la edad es relevante en la postergación, dado que las personas menores de 21 años puntúan más elevado en este constructo. La postergación se relaciona positivamente con las seis dimensiones de las dificultades en la regulación de las emociones, en las que es predicha por la falta de objetivos y la falta de claridad, sin embargo, la satisfacción con la vida y la resistencia al malestar por menos falta de estrategias.

Wind instrumentalists' work-related vocal tract discomfort.

BACKGROUND: Wind instrumentalist use the vocal tract intensively in their professional activities, which can lead to the development work-related voice disorders. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the perception of vocal tract discomfort (VTD) by wind instrumentalists from Natal, Brazil. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with 117 professional musicians and music students from six official bands/orchestras in the city of Natal. Both the Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale and a sample characterization questionnaire were applied. The Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test were applied in the statistical analysis of the variables. RESULTS: The most frequent and intense symptoms of VTD were sensitive throat and sore throat. There was a significant difference between the values of frequency and intensity of all symptoms both before and after playing the instrument. Dryness was the most intense symptom felt after playing the instrument. Musicians who report muscle pain and gastroesophageal reflux showed more VTD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of VTD are experienced by wind instrumentalists and can be work-related since there was a difference in their perception after playing their instruments. There was also a relationship with gastroesophageal reflux and muscle pain, indicating that, in addition to collective issues, the individual musicians' health should be taken into account.

Impact of 10-Min Daily Yoga Exercises on Physical and Mental Discomfort of Home-Office Workers During COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of 10 min/day of yoga for 1 month on musculoskeletal discomfort and mood disturbance of home-office workers. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to switch to teleworking. The abrupt change from an office setting to an improvised home-office may negatively affect the musculoskeletal and emotional health of workers. By providing mental and physical exercises, yoga may be effective in reducing adverse effects. METHOD: Fifty-four participants (42 women, 12 men) followed a 1-month yoga program, while 40 participants (26 women, 14 men) continued with their common work routine. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to evaluate severity, interference with work and frequency of pain, and to obtain a total discomfort score for 25 body areas. Mood disturbance was evaluated with the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Both groups completed both questionnaires, before and after the experimentation period. RESULTS: After 1 month, for the yoga group only, significant reductions were observed in the discomfort of eyes, head, neck, upper and lower back, right wrist, and hips/buttocks, as well as reductions in discomfort severity, frequency and interference for the neck, upper and lower back. Total mood disturbance was also significantly reduced for the yoga group only. No favorable changes occurred for the control group. CONCLUSION: The yoga intervention program appears to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort and mood disturbance of home-office workers. APPLICATION: Sedentary workers may benefit from 10 min/day of yoga during the workday to attenuate potential physical and emotional discomfort during the current pandemic and beyond.

Comparison of Physiological Effects Induced by Two Compression Stockings and Regular Socks During Prolonged Standing Work.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare lower-leg muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort induced by the prolonged standing of security guards wearing regular socks and those wearing 15-20 or 20-30 mmHg compression stockings as intervention. BACKGROUND: Compression stockings are sometimes used by individuals standing all day at work. However, quantitative evidence showing their potential benefits for lower-leg health issues in healthy individuals during real working conditions is lacking. METHOD: Forty male security employees participated in the study. All were randomly assigned to the control or one of the two intervention groups (I15-20 or I20-30). Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, and discomfort ratings were measured before and after their regular 12-hr standing work shift. RESULTS: Significant evidence of lower-leg long-lasting muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort was observed after standing work for guards wearing regular socks. However, no significant changes were found for guards wearing either compression stockings. CONCLUSION: In healthy individuals, compression stockings seem to attenuate efficiently the tested outcomes in the lower leg resulting from prolonged standing. APPLICATION: Occupational activities requiring prolonged standing may benefit from 15-20 or 20-30 mmHg compression stockings. As similar benefits were observed for both levels of compression, the lower level may be sufficient.

O mal-estar colonial: racismo, indivíduo e subjetivação na sociabilidade contemporânea / Malestar colonial: racismo, individual y subjetivación en la sociabilidad contemporánea / Colonial malasie: racism, individual and subjectivation in contemporary sociability

Resumo Em que consiste a sociogenia apresentada por Frantz Fanon e quais as suas implicações para a compreensão dos modos de subjetivação em uma sociabilidade marcada pelo racismo e a desumanização? Este estudo estabelece um diálogo entre escritos de Sigmund Freud e Fanon para propor que a experiência colonial imprime um tipo particular de estranhamento, aqui nomeado como mal-estar colonial. O sofrimento sociopolítico resultante do racismo antinegro contemporâneo se expressa a partir de um duplo mal estar. Soma-se, ao mal-estar relativo ao desassossego dos indivíduos diante do preço a pagar pela pertença e segurança no laço social, a recusa do reconhecimento de sua pertença e do seu direito de usufruto do pacto social, travestido de pacto civilizatório. Este estudo, baseado na gênese social e política do sofrimento humano na sociabilidade colonial, considera que a perspectiva clínico-política implicada se alia à análise sociológica para atentar às dimensões singulares e universais do sujeito.

Resumen ¿En qué consiste la sociogenia presentada por Frantz Fanon y cuáles son sus implicaciones para comprender los modos de subjetivación en una sociabilidad marcada por el racismo y la deshumanización? Este estudio establece un diálogo entre los escritos de Sigmund Freud y Fanon para proponer que la experiencia colonial imprime un tipo particular de extrañamiento, aquí denominado malestar colonial. El sufrimiento sociopolítico resultante del racismo antinegro contemporáneo se expresa a través de un doble malestar. Al malestar relacionado con la inquietud de los individuos ante el precio a pagar por la pertenencia y la seguridad en el vínculo social se suma la negativa a reconocer su pertenencia y su derecho a disfrutar del pacto social, disfrazado de pacto civilizador. Este estudio, basado en la génesis social y política del sufrimiento humano en la sociabilidad colonial, considera que la perspectiva clínico-política involucrada se combina con el análisis sociológico para a las dimensiones singulares y universales del sujeto.

Abstract What does the sociogeny presented by Frantz Fanon consist of and what are its implications for understanding the modes of subjectivation in a sociability marked by racism and dehumanization? This study establishes a dialogue between the writings of Sigmund Freud and Fanon to propose that the colonial experience imprints a particular type of estrangement, here named as colonial malaise. The sociopolitical suffering resulting from contemporary anti-black racism is expressed through a double discomfort. Added to the discomfort related to the uneasiness of individuals regarding the price to pay for belonging and security in the social bond is the refusal to recognize their belonging and their right to enjoy the social pact, disguised as a civilizing pact. This study, based on the social and political genesis of human suffering in colonial sociability, considers that the clinical-political perspective involved is combined with sociological analysis to address both singular and universal dimensions of the subject.

Mutually exclusive disorder-dependent hearing discomfort in first-episode psychosis and panic disorder: two experiments using the same auditory stimulus set and two similar musical sequences.

We investigated the level of hearing tolerance in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and panic disorder (PD) as compared to two different groups of healthy controls (HC, HC2), one for each experiment, because we used two distinct psychophysical paradigms. We evaluated auditory discomfort of 28 volunteers (14 with FEP and 14 HC) in the first study and of 42 volunteers (21 with PD and 21 HC2) in the second study. We presented 20 sounds: 16 pure-tone frequency sweeps (specially designed for use with FEP) and 11 s or 13 s musical sequences from the very beginning of the music "Play the Game" (PLAY) from Queen and its reverses. The first procedure used a Likert-like 0-10 scale ranging from "nothing bad" to "too bad" where volunteers made vertical marks along a horizontal line according to their discomfort. The second procedure involved subjective magnitude estimation online due to the SARS-COV-19 pandemic. Sounds were placed online and played by PD and HC2 volunteers themselves after having listened to the standard (the first 8 s from RADIO, "Radio Ga Ga" by Queen). Then, PD and HC2 volunteers were asked to assign values equal to, or multiples of 10 that felt like, or proportional to, their hearing "discomfort" in comparison with Sound 00 (RADIO). Our findings showed that FEP volunteers assign more discomfort to the 16 specially designed frequency sweep stimuli that appear not to affect HC, HC2, and PD. On the other hand, musical sequences from PLAY caused strong discomfort to PD in the reverse mode, but did not seem to affect HC, HC2, and FEP. Further experiments using the exact same paradigm with FEP and PD are needed to explore these findings.

The effect of brushing discomfort on peri-implant health in sites exhibiting inadequate keratinized mucosa width: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the effect of brushing discomfort (BD) on peri-implant health in sites exhibiting inadequate keratinized mucosa (KM) width. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients presenting with at least one implant exhibiting KM <2 mm and in function for ≥1 year were eligible for inclusion. BD was assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS), and implants were classified into two groups: Absence (aBD; VAS = 0) or Presence (pBD; VAS > 0) of BD. Bleeding on probing (BoP), modified plaque index (mPI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), suppuration (Sup), and marginal bone level (MBL) were recorded. Mann-Whitney, chi-square test, and a multilevel model were used for analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients with 155 dental implants were analyzed, of which 60 presented no BD, and 95 presented some level of BD. BoP, PD, CAL, and MBL were significantly higher in the pBD than in the aBD group (p < .05). The prevalence of peri-implant diseases at implant level was also higher in the pBD group than in the aBD group. However, after controlling for confounding factors, only mPI showed an effect on BoP. In addition, difficulty to perform oral hygiene was statistically higher in the pBD group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that although BD around implants exhibiting KM <2 mm did not influence tissue inflammation, it could represent a symptom of peri-implant diseases. Further clinical trials assessing the long-term effect of BD must be considered to better ascertain its effects on peri-implant health.

Auditory perceptual discomfort and low-hearing tolerance in the first episode psychosis.

Awareness of perceptual and sensory changes that might occur in visual, auditory, proprioception, and other senses, in the early stages towards the First Episode Psychosis (FEP), and their subsequent sensorial evolution as the disturb progresses deeper into an acute episode, might be a key element for interrupting the process. In the present study, we investigated hearing discomfort/tolerance to 16 given sound streams. Sixteen people diagnosed with FEP, participated in the experiment. Sixteen frequency sweeps varying in modulation envelopes (sawtooth, sine), order (ascending, descending), duration (4s, 8s), and range (50-8000 Hz, 2-8 kHz) were presented randomly, but always in the same sequence, to FEP and healthy controls (HC). The level of discomfort was estimated by the participant by making a mark across a continuous line whose extremes read "nothing bad" (left) and "too bad" (right). Results showed that ascending sine pure frequency sweeps (p < 0.01) and descending sine pure frequencies sweeps (p < 0.01) caused the maximum discomfort in FEP. Other variables also showed differences between FEP and HC, and FEP were always more intolerant to such pure frequency sweeps than HC. We conclude that this might be useful for very early assessment of people at risk, people with FEP, and people with schizophrenia.

Perceived Physical Discomfort and Its Associations With Home Office Characteristics During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and change in perception of physical discomfort, including musculoskeletal discomfort, during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine associations of demographic factors, telework activity, and home office characteristics with the highest prevalence of discomfort. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic forced a substantial increase in telework in many countries. The sudden change from a regular workplace to an improvised "home office" may have an impact on working conditions and physical symptoms of office workers. However, investigations in this area remain limited. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was used to compare self-reported complaints of physical discomfort perceived from before with those during the pandemic. Associations between complaints and home office characteristics were investigated from 150 faculty and 51 administrative staff of an academic institution with an age range of 41.16 ± 10.20 (59% female). RESULTS: A significant increase of physical discomfort was found during the pandemic period for head, eyes, hand, and upper back for both staff and faculty and neck, shoulders, elbows, and lower back for faculty only. Logistic regression analyses point to associations with the lack of a laptop stand, uncomfortable desk, poor lighting, and sitting time, among others. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of physical discomfort was reported by teleworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some home office characteristics were associated with these discomforts. APPLICATION: Some telework characteristics seem to be risk factors for physical discomfort. Consideration should be given to teaching best practices for workstation setup and/or conducting other preventive interventions in the work environment.

Do men and women have different musculoskeletal symptoms at the same musculoskeletal discomfort level?

Owing to biological and social factors, illness-related musculoskeletal symptoms tend to vary between men and women. However, in the past, conceptualised discomfort metrics were applied uniformly to both genders. This study aimed to develop a scale to measure musculoskeletal discomfort that compares the symptoms between men and women. The scale aimed to determine the gender-based response patterns related to symptoms. A total of 707 men and 1302 women reported their symptoms on a body map. Factor analysis and item response theory were used to differentiate the identified symptoms in the construction of a musculoskeletal discomfort scale. Differences in work exposure appeared to explain the symptom patterns between men and women. The scale had eight levels, and it was found that at the same level of discomfort, men and women reported symptoms in different body regions.Practitioner summary: On this discomfort scale, the response patterns of men and women were categorised into eight levels. Symptoms differed by gender at the same musculoskeletal discomfort level. This is in contrast to previous studies in which scales were devised without considering differences between the genders.Abbreviations: WMSDs: work-related musculoskeletal disorders; BMI: body mass index; FA: factor analysis; IRT: item response theory; KMO: Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin; BST: Bartlett's test of sphericity; F: factor loading; h2: communality; α: Cronbach's alpha; ωt: McDonald's omega; ai: parameters of discrimination of the items; bik: parameters of difficulty of response categories; θj: latent trait; RMSEA: root mean square error of approximation; CFI: comparative fit index; TLI: Tucker-Lewis index; odu: musculoskeletal discomfort units; RA: rarely; OF: often; AL: always.

Usefulness of the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) tool in detecting differences before and after an ergonomics intervention.

BACKGROUND: Most ergonomics studies on office workstations evaluate the effects of an intervention only by subjective measures such as musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. Limited evidence has been provided regarding risk factor reduction in office environments through standardized methods assessments. The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) tool can provide an estimation of risk factor exposure for office workers as a means by which the outcome of interventions can be quantified. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate if ROSA scores reflect changes in risk factors after an ergonomics intervention among office workers. METHODS: Office workers (n = 60) were divided into two groups. The experimental group received a workstation intervention and the control group received no intervention. Changes in ROSA scores were compared before and after the intervention in both groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant reductions in the ROSA final and section scores occurred after the intervention in the experimental group with (mean reduction of 2.9, 0.8 and 1.6 points for sections A, B and C, respectively). In contrast, no differences were detected in the control group (mean increase of 0.1 point for sections A and C and mean reduction of 0.1 point for Section B). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that ROSA scores reflect changes in risk factors after an ergonomics intervention in an office environment. Consequently, this tool can be used for identifying and controlling risk factors among computer workers, before and after interventions.

Thermal comfort conditions at microclimate scale and surface urban heat island in a tropical city: A study on João Pessoa city, Brazil.

Surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) are one of the most studied phenomena in urban climates because they generate problems for the well-being of the urban population. This study analyzed the thermal comfort conditions at microclimate scale and SUHI for João Pessoa city, Brazil. Micrometeorological data (temperature and air humidity data) collected at 10 stations in 2011 and 2018 were used to calculate Thom's discomfort index (TDI) for João Pessoa city. Satellite images from Landsat 5/TM for 1991, 2006, and 2010 and Landsat 8/OLI for 2018 were used for land use and land cover classification and to identify SUHI. The obtained results highlighted that the SUHI area in João Pessoa city was 26 km2 and that almost half of the heat island area was concentrated in the Geisel, Aeroclube, Valentina, Distrito Industrial, Cristo Redentor, and Mangabeira neighborhoods. Regarding the micrometeorological data, higher values were obtained for 2018 in the dry periods (summer) and during the day. Based on the results, a considerable increase in discomfort during the daytime was observed in urbanized areas of the city from 2010 - 2018 due to the increase in the average temperature in João Pessoa between 1991 and 2018.

El malestar a través de la voz y la forma subjetiva del saber hacer con el conflicto. Un estudio de caso / Discomfort through the voice and the subjective form of knowing do with the conflicto. A case study

La voz es un elemento particular de los primeros años de vida en el sujeto debido a que es una de las formas de manifestar su necesidad, un deseo, u otro, por lo cual se adopta como una herramienta que se vincula a los procesos anímicos; puede ser una forma de ver síntomas o malestares que el paciente no quiere ni confesarse, ni confesar en una consulta. Objetivo: Comprender la manifestación del malestar a través de la voz del sujeto y la forma subjetiva del saber hacer con el conflicto, que apertura la importancia de la voz en el proceso psicoterapéutico. Materiales y métodos: Se enmarcó en un paradigma fenomenológico, es una investigación de campo con enfoque cualitativo mediante un estudio de caso. Resultados: A partir de este estudio se pudo determinar que el malestar incide en la voz del sujeto cuando no puede ser expresado con anterioridad, por tanto, la voz es una forma de expresión inconsciente que en ocasiones no es percibida por el sujeto que manifiesta un malestar. Conclusiones: El fenómeno de la voz está presente en los sujetos que formaron parte de esta investigación, pero cada uno de ellos lo formula de manera distinta, haciendo del malestar un saber hacer individual; por medio de la voz se manifiestan los silencios, el grito, el llanto y variadas formas orales que indican que hay asuntos pendientes, reflejando el conflicto que tiene el individuo con lo que está refiriendo, así deja huellas fonéticas en todo lo que nos relata(AU)

The voice is a particular element of the first years of life in the subject due to which is one of the ways to express their need, a desire, or another, for which it is adopted as a tool that is linked to psychic processes; it may be a way of seeing symptoms or discomforts that the patient does not want to confess or confess in a consultation. Objective:Understand the manifestation of discomfort through the voice of the subject and the subjective form of knowing how to deal with conflict, which opens up the importance of the voice in the psychotherapeutic process. Materials and methods:It was framed in a phenomenological paradigm, it is an investigation of field with a qualitative approach through a case study. Results:From this study it was possible to determine that discomfort affects the voice of the subject when it cannot be expressed with previously, therefore, the voice is a form of unconscious expression that sometimes is not perceived by the subject who manifests discomfort. Conclusions:The phenomenon of the voice is present in the subjects who were part of this investigation, but each one of them formulates it in a different way, making discomfort an individual know-how; through the voice silences, screaming, crying and various oral forms that indicate thatthere are issues pending, reflecting the conflict that the individual has with what he is referring to, thus leaving traces phonetics in everything he tells us(AU)

Auditory perceptual discomfort and low-hearing tolerance in the first episode psychosis

Awareness of perceptual and sensory changes that might occur in visual, auditory, proprioception, and other senses, in the early stages towards the First Episode Psychosis (FEP), and their subsequent sensorial evolution as the disturb progresses deeper into an acute episode, might be a key element for interrupting the process. In the present study, we investigated hearing discomfort/tolerance to 16 given sound streams. Sixteen people diagnosed with FEP, participated in the experiment. Sixteen frequency sweeps varying in modulation envelopes (sawtooth, sine), order (ascending, descending), duration (4s, 8s), and range (50­8000 Hz, 2­8 kHz) were presented randomly, but always in the same sequence, to FEP and healthy controls (HC). The level of discomfort was estimated by the participant by making a mark across a continuous line whose extremes read "nothing bad" (left) and "too bad" (right). Results showed that ascending sine pure frequency sweeps (p < 0.01) and descending sine pure frequencies sweeps (p < 0.01) caused the maximum discomfort in FEP. Other variables also showed differences between FEP and HC, and FEP were always more intolerant to such pure frequency sweeps than HC. We conclude that this might be useful for very early assessment of people at risk, people with FEP, and people with schizophrenia. (AU)