Level of self-reported neck/shoulder pain and biomechanical workload in cleaners

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between self-reported pain, muscular activity and postural load during cleaning tasks. Eighteen cleaners performed usual cleaning tasks in both a laboratory and a lecture room. The level of perceived pain in the neck-shoulder region during the last 7 days was recorded. Bipolar surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded bilaterally from upper trapezius and erector spinae muscles during cleaning. Root mean square (RMS) and permutation entropy (PE) values representing amplitude and complexity of SEMG time-series were estimated. A tri-axial accelerometer package was mounted on the low back (L5-S1) to measure postural changes during cleaning tasks. The 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of the angular distributions were computed to characterize postures and movements. Pain tended to play a significant role on RMS of left/right trapezius and left erector spinae muscles (P≤0.08). Cleaners with low pain level exhibited higher muscular activity during cleaning. Pain played or tended to play a significant role on PE of left and right erector spinae muscles (P≤0.08). Pain played a significant role on the 10^th, 50^th and 90^th percentile (P<0.05) of lateral flexion angle (side bending). The present study emphasizes biomechanical adaptations occurring in presence of neck-shoulder pain during cleaning tasks.