Which is the most ergonomic mop? A comparison of three domestic mopping systems.

PURPOSE: To assess musculoskeletal risk factors (repetitions, posture, forces) of the upper limb during domestic floor mopping tasks. METHODS: Two hundred women were surveyed to determine the most common mopping system, mopping patterns and type of flooring used in their homes. The biomechanical demands of the three most common mopping systems were then evaluated in the laboratory. Participants were also asked to rate their perceived levels of exertion and cleanliness of each mopping system. RESULTS: The use of wet wipes had the highest repetition count and exertion rates during mopping and scrubbing tasks. Higher peak scrubbing forces were noted for the plunge mop. All participants found the cotton fibre mop to be the cleanest. All 3 mops had medium postural risk. CONCLUSION: The advantages and disadvantages of each mopping system were outlined and may be used by occupational therapists when providing ergonomic advice to patients with upper limb musculoskeletal conditions.

A pilot study: Exploring the musculoskeletal risk exposure associated with drying laundry using the public housing pipe-socket system amongst women in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: The biomechanics of homemakers has been minimally studied. The way laundry-drying is performed in Singapore public-housing, using the pipe-socket-system (PSS), could expose the homemakers to musculoskeletal disorder risk. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to quantify the musculoskeletal risk exposure (MRE) associated with laundry-drying amongst female homemakers using the PSS in Singapore public-housing. METHODS: Using snowball sampling approach, five female homemakers familiar with the described laundry-drying method were recruited. The postures of the participants were analysed from video-recorded data and scored using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). RESULTS: This pilot study revealed very strong evidence (p = 0.001) that the participants were exposed to medium risk (REBA score 4.3) when performing this housework task. CONCLUSIONS: Extreme awkward postures and repetitive motions were observed from the participants during the analysis. High REBA scores were frequently associated with the awkward postures adopted due to constraints of physical work space.

The inclusion of homemakers as an occupation amongst people with upper limb repetitive stress injuries.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors contributing to upper limb repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) have been well-documented in literature, but there has been no such data in Singapore. OBJECTIVE: To investigate potential contributory factors to upper limb RSIsMETHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of clients who were referred to outpatient upper limb rehabilitation in 2012. Demographic information was retrieved from an electronic documentation system. Descriptive analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17. RESULTS: A total of 1108 upper limb RSI referrals (827 females, 281 males) were included in this study. The mean age of the group was 53.74 (s.d. 13.03) with a significant proportion within the range of 51-60 years old. The 3 diagnoses which accounted for the majority of clients were: flexor tendinitis of the hand and fingers, DeQuervain's tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. A statistically significant proportion of these clients were also involved in doing housework. CONCLUSIONS: Upper limb RSIs are prevalent amongst the general population, especially in females. Participation in housework may entail biomechanical loads which may contribute to or worsen upper limb RSIs. Occupational classification systems should include homemakers as a standalone category, distinct from paid domestic help, given the similar nature of physical work involved.