Work : a journal of prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation
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The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of stress and anxiety worldwide. Due to the global lockdown, work, employment, businesses and the economic climate have been severely affected. It has generated stress among people from all sections of society, especially to workers who have been assigned to cater to healthcare service or those constrained to secure daily essential items. It is widely perceived that elderly or those affected by diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases are prone to COVID-19. As per an ongoing survey, the initial data shows that the above-mentioned anxiety and stress cause insomnia, and has the considerable potential to weaken the immune system, the sole protection against the virus. ⋯ Due to social distancing norms, the availability of Yoga trainers has become restricted. Yoga practice is actively sought to achieve reduced anxiety and stress so that improved sleep may positively impact immunity. As a consequence, there is a spurt in social media, catering to daily online Yoga sessions which apparently prove useful in providing accessible means to achieve mental as well as physical well-being.
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Along with quantitative measures, pain symptoms may help inform early interventions to prevent prolonged standing induced low back pain (LBP); however, the relationship between quantitative and qualitative measures has not been assessed. ⋯ A subset of participants who were not categorized as LBP developers during prolonged standing using the VAS method still report LBP symptoms. The inclusion of pain symptom reporting could provide additional information for practitioners when identifying individuals who would benefit from early interventions for standing induced LBP.
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Work-related health problems result in an economic loss of 4-6% in GDP (Gross domestic Product) of the most countries. In the industrialized countries, 1/3rd of the health-related absence to duty are due to musculoskeletal disorders. Professional driving is one such occupation which looks like sedentary occupation, but involves many risk factors that contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) due to its nature of working and work environment. This research describes the various risk factors associated with WMSDs and their effects on drivers health. ⋯ Statistical result and direct observation insist on undertaking further studies on ergonomic interventions at driver's cabin, lifestyle/occupational health factors which mitigate WMSD in different parts of the body during driving.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Yoga improves occupational performance, depression, and daily activities for people with chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a complex accumulation of physical, psychological, and social conditions, thus interventions that address pain and promote occupational performance are needed. A holistic intervention, with mind and body components, is likely necessary to best treat the complexities of chronic pain. Thus, we developed and tested a yoga intervention for people with chronic pain. ⋯ Data from this pilot RCT indicate yoga may be an effective therapeutic intervention with people in chronic pain to improve occupational performance, increase engagement in activities, and decrease depression. Occupational therapy practitioners may consider adding yoga as a treatment intervention to address the needs of people with pain.