Work - Volume 73, issue 2

Authors: Fauser, David | Zeuner, Ann-Kathrin | Zimmer, Julia-Marie | Golla, André | Schmitt, Nadine | Mau, Wilfried | Bethge, Matthias

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sickness absence, disability pensions, and use of healthcare due to disabling back pain are a high economic burden in Germany. Assessment are needed to identify employees who are likely to need intensive support. OBJECTIVE: The cohort study examined whether rehabilitation, disability pensions and death can be predicted by a simple self-reported rating of work ability in employees with back pain in Germany. METHODS: Employees aged 45 to 59 years who reported back pain in the last 3 months completed the Work Ability Score in 2017 (0–10 points). Individual scores were categorized into poor (0–5 points), …moderate (6–7) and at least good (8–10) work ability. Outcomes were extracted from administrative records covering the period until the end of 2018. Proportional hazard models were fitted to determine the prognostic benefit of the Work Ability Score. RESULTS: Data for 6,917 participants were included (57.8% women). The median follow-up time was 20 months. Of the participants, 52.1% had a good or excellent, 27.7% a moderate, and 20.2% a poor Work Ability Score. During follow-up, 548 persons were granted rehabilitation measures, 57 persons disability pensions, and 23 died. Fully adjusted analyses showed an increased risk of a rehabilitation measure (hazard ratio = 2.65; 95% CI 2.11; 3.34) and a disability pension (HR = 4.12; 95% CI 2.02; 8.39) in employees with poor work ability. A premature death was not associated with poor work ability. CONCLUSIONS: The Work Ability Score is a potential tool to identify individuals, reporting back pain, with an increased risk of health-related early retirement and work disability. Show more

Keywords: Needs assessment, ability to work, medical rehabilitation, health-related early retirement, longitudinal analyses

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210987

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 719-728, 2022

Authors: Gutiérrez-Santiago, Alfonso | Paramés-González, Adrián | Ayán, Carlos | Diz, José Carlos | Prieto-Lage, Iván

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Students spend a high number of hours being seated while at school. In order to find the correct adjustment between school furniture and the anthropometric characteristics, specific knowledge and tools are necessary. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the measurers with different instruments, as well as contrast the differences between the values that were obtained by the different examiners. METHODS: Measurements were taken independently by one expert examiner and two inexperienced teachers from the school. They used a measuring tape, a segmometer and an anthropometer for the …anthropometric measurements. The statistical tests conducted: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Bland and Altman method, Standard Error of Measurement, Technical Error of Measurement and relative TEM with a level of significance of ρ  ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 108 students (8.87±1.67 years; 40.7% girls) participated in the study. The non-expert measurers had good accuracy and reliability, but they far exceeded the error percentages of the expert, obtaining the worst results in the shoulder measurement. The instrument with the lowest affinity between the inexperienced measurers was the anthropometer. CONCLUSIONS: In order to assign furniture in the schools, the experts should continue using the anthropometer. The inexperienced measurers can use more accessible instruments in the school environment such as a measuring tape and segmometer. Show more

Keywords: Students, anthropometry, measurements

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211034

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 729-737, 2022

Authors: Al-Sharman, Alham | Aldughmi, Mayis | Khalil, Hanan | AlKhawaldeh, Hasan | Siengsukon, Catherine F. | El-Salem, Khalid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sleep has been considered as a critical brain state that affects various body functions relevant to physiotherapy (PTs) practice such as motor learning and relearning, pain management, and cognitive function. Despite the importance of sleep for successful rehabilitation outcomes, sleep is often overlooked by PTs. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the attitude and perception of PTs on the need to assess sleep and provide education about sleep for their patients, as well as the perceived need for PTs to be educated on sleep topics. METHODS: A survey questionnaire to assess physical …therapist’s perceptions and attitudes about sleep was utilized in this study. RESULTS: 90 PTs fill out the survey. All respondents agreed that poor sleep is important to people’s health, 93% agreed that PTs should assess patients’ sleep habits and sleep quality and 88% agreed that addressing sleep issues may impact PTs outcomes. The majority did not receive education about sleep during PT education (75%) or following graduation (86%). Most respondents (95%) think PTs should receive education about sleep. CONCLUSIONS: our findings indicated that PTs recognize that sleep impacts their outcomes and patients’ sleep should be assessed, as well as the need to receive education about sleep. Therefore, PT education programs may consider incorporating education about sleep, and the development of continuing education courses is also needed. Show more

Keywords: Sleep, physical therapy, motor learning

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211039

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 739-746, 2022

Authors: Chapman, Janine | Roche, Ann M. | Duraisingam, Vinita | Phillips, Brooke | Finnane, Jim | Pidd, Ken

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-223642

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 747-747, 2022

Authors: Tang, Zhao Hua | Yang, Tang Xun | Oleshko, Valentin

Article Type: Retraction

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210452

Citation: Work, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 749-749, 2022