Journal of occupational rehabilitation
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Work related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) result in substantial disability, and expense. Identifying workers or jobs with high risk can trigger intervention before workers are injured or the condition worsens. ⋯ The QuickDASH may be useful for identifying jobs or workers with increased risk for upper extremity MSDs. It may provide an efficient health surveillance screening tool useful for targeting early workplace intervention for prevention of upper extremity MSD problems.
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Pain related fear and pain intensity have been identified as factors negatively influencing Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) performances in patients with CLBP. Conflicting results have been reported in the literature. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationships between pain intensity and pain-related fear on the one hand, and performances during an FCE on the other hand in two samples of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ The relation between pain and pain related fear and FCE performance is weak or non-existent in patients with CLBP.
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The present study examined the effects of pain chronicity on the responsiveness of psychosocial variables to intervention for whiplash injuries. ⋯ The findings suggest that self-reported disability is particularly resistant to change as the period of work disability extends over time. The findings emphasize the importance of early intervention and the need to develop strategies that specifically target disability beliefs in patients with whiplash injuries.
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Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) affect workers in many occupations including drivers of large vehicles. Urban bus drivers have been found to have high prevalence rates of back problems in overseas studies. Hong Kong is a densely populated city and has a large number of double-deck buses that constitute a major means of public transportation. The present study aimed at investigating the prevalence and characteristics of WMSD in male and female bus drivers who operate double-deck buses in Hong Kong. ⋯ The present results showed high prevalence rates of WMSD among bus drivers in Hong Kong which warrants further investigation.