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ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: Hand and upper extremity injuries to the professional or serious amateur musician may cause significant disability and time away from one's instrument. This article reviewed 222 instrumentalists; 201 were followed to an end result of their injuries. 80% played strings or keyboard instruments. Sports or a direct fall were the most common causes of injury. The spectrum of diagnoses made was typical of hand trauma in general; fractures, sprains, muscle strains and lacerations were the most numerous. Final results after treatment in 201 patients included complete relief of symptoms in 137 (68.2%) and improvement in another 61 (30.3%). Return to…performance was complete in 155 patients (77.1%) and in a modified fashion in 42 (20.9%). Only three performers had to stop playing as a result of trauma or it's sequelae. The 46 patients presenting with late sequelae of injury were less likely to achieve full restoration of function and complete return to musical activity than those who suffered acute trauma. Division of nerves or tendons, seen in 13 of 28 patients who sustained lacerations, was more likely to result in very long-term disability and/or incomplete recovery.
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Abstract: The treatment of musicians' injuries has two distinct, overlapping, phases. Reducing pain or symptoms represents only the first stage. Too often, this is the end of the medical care. If the player has had to stop playing or significantly reduce playing time during the healing phase, a graduated, methodical plan for returning to full musical activity is essential to avoid emotionally and physically distressing relapses. In the field of occupational medicine this concept is called ‘work hardening’. The worker performs his or her specific tasks, but starts out at a greatly reduced level in terms of time and intensity. A…graduated program for return to play is discussed in terms of duration, tempo and technical difficulty with specific recommendations for various instruments. Minor set backs are to be expected and the patient should be advised from the start that this is a normal part of the process so as to avoid discouragement. Following the principles set forth in this article will optimize the musicians' chances for smooth, successful return to normal musical activity.
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Keywords: Musician's injuries, Training schedule, Return to play
Abstract: The author reviews the history and clinical presentations of several distinct clinical conditions which together make up the group of patients referred to generally by the term ‘thoracic outlet syndromes.’ Although in specific cases the anatomy and pathophysiology of these patients correlate well, in most of them, those with the so-called ‘disputed neurogenic’ form, no such correlation has ever been proven. Thus, treatment of these patients is controversial. In the appropriately cautious management of these patients, surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet should never precede a trial of aggressive conservative therapy. This precept is particularly critical in musicians, because these…patients require maximal degrees of mechanical freedom to play their instruments.
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Keywords: Thoracic outlet syndrome, Musicians, Occupational medicine, Performing arts medicine
Abstract: Severe ligamentous knee injuries are uncommon in dance, but partial instability can be disabling. Because of the aesthetics required, use of a brace is not practical. The balanced body approach of exercise and rehabilitation can maximize the physiologic stabilizers of the knee and allow return to dance. While derived from the original principles of Joseph H. Pilates, current practitioners apply modern biomechanical and medical knowledge. The Reformer, a spring loaded exercise device first used by J.H. Pilates, can provide both a simulated environment for dance technique while allowing rest of the injured part and a method of cross training.
Keywords: Reformer, Anterior cruciate ligament, Joseph H. Pilates
Abstract: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) can affect the skill of instrumental musicians. This paper details the way in which symptomatic TOS affects the musician and describes two cases of symptomatic TOS in a drummer and a violinist. Evaluation tools and treatment techniques are described.
Abstract: Many instrumentalists suffer from overuse syndrome due to repetitive and sustained motions required of the upper extremity. Overuse injuries in pianists are frequently caused by lack of rest breaks, deconditioned upper extremities, performance technique, and anatomical limitations of the hand and fingers. This article examines the precipitating factors of overuse syndrome through a case study approach.
Abstract: This paper intends to review and analyse the literature focusing on the topic of child labor. Child labor is a global problem on the rise despite modern Western beliefs. Today, such complex and interrelated issues as poverty, illiteracy, and politics fuel the growth of the number of children being exploited for economic gain. It is often difficult to imagine that the products we purchase are manufactured in such horrible conditions, but as consumers we must take responsibility for the well-being of these children.
Keywords: Child labor, Poverty, Illiteracy, Human rights violation, Developing countries, Health
