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- Koch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Frequency of breaks, amount of muscular rest, and sustained muscle activity related to neck pain in a pooled dataset
- 2024
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In: PLoS ONE. - 1932-6203. ; 19:6, s. 1-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Neck pain remains a persistent challenge in modern society and is frequently encountered across a wide range of occupations, particularly those involving repetitive and monotonous tasks. It might be expected that patterns of trapezius muscle activity at work, characterized by few breaks and prolonged periods of sustained muscle activity, are linked to neck pain. However, previous cross-sectional studies have generally failed to establish a definitive association. While some longitudinal studies have suggested that extended periods of heightened muscle activity could be a risk factor for neck pain, these findings often relied on limited participant numbers or specific professional groups. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between trapezius muscle activity and neck pain by pooling data from seven Scandinavian research institutes encompassing a diverse range of occupational backgrounds.METHODS: Electromyographic (EMG) data for the upper trapezius muscle, collected during working hours, were coupled with questionnaire responses pertaining to neck pain, individual characteristics, and potential confounding variables for a total of 731 subjects. Additionally, longitudinal data from 258 subjects were available. The various EMG datasets were consolidated into a standardized format, and efforts were made to harmonize inquiries about neck pain. Regression analyses, adjusting for sex and height, were conducted to explore the associations between muscle activity variables and neck pain. An exposure index was devised to quantify the cumulative neck load experienced during working hours and to differentiate between various occupational categories.RESULTS: The cross-sectional data displayed a distinct pattern characterized by positive associations for brief periods of sustained muscle activity (SUMA) and negative associations for prolonged SUMA-periods and neck pain. The longitudinal data exhibited a contrasting trend, although it was not as pronounced as the cross-sectional findings. When employing the exposure index, notable differences in cumulative muscle load emerged among occupational groups, and positive associations with longitudinal neck pain were identified.DISCUSSION: The results suggest that individuals with neck pain experience higher cumulative workloads and extended periods of muscle activity over the long term. In the short term, they appear to compensate by taking frequent short breaks, resulting in a lower cumulative workload. Regardless of their occupation, it is crucial to distribute work breaks throughout the workday to ensure that the cumulative load remains manageable.
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| 3. |
- Ostensvik, Tove, et al.
(author)
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Work exposure and complaints in a sample of French and Norwegian forest machine operators. A comparative field study within the ErgoWood programme.
- 2005
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim of the present work is to evaluate muscle activity pattern, psychosocial working conditions and self-reported complaints of fatigue and pain in the neck, shoulders and forearms in two samples of forest machine operators driving harvesters in France and Norway. The EMG readings from four muscle groups were analysed in predetermined periods of sustained low level muscle activity (SULMA), ranging from 1.2-5 seconds up to > 20 minutes. The main result was the similarity between operators of the two different countries. Tendencies were found for higher static muscle activity and less muscular relaxation in all evaluated muscles in the French operators, but significant only for the right trapezius muscle. However, the level of muscular complaints was significantly higher among the Norwegian operators. The amount of both short and long SULMA was not significantly higher in the Norwegian group for the right side. This indicates that the amount of low-level muscle activity could be of higher importance than the gaps, or that the gaps are too short to have effect in reducing risk for discomfort or pain. The results indicate that the introduction of the SULMA concept may be of importance as a method for MSD risk assessment. Future work should concentrate on exploring the best linkage between SULMA and muscular complaints.
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| 4. |
- Reier-Nilsen, Tonje, et al.
(author)
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Feasibility of desensitizing children highly allergic to peanut by high-dose oral immunotherapy
- 2019
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In: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : WILEY. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 74:2, s. 337-348
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: There are limited data on the feasibility, efficacy and safety of high‐dose oral immunotherapy (OIT) in children highly allergic to peanuts.Objective: In children highly allergic to peanut, we primarily aimed to determine the feasibility of reaching the maximum maintenance dose (MMD) of 5000 mg peanut protein or, alternatively, a lower individual maintenance dose (IMD), by OIT up‐dosing. Secondarily, we aimed to identify adverse events (AEs) and determine factors associated with reaching a maintenance dose.Methods: The TAKE‐AWAY peanut OIT trial enrolled 77 children 5‐15 years old, with a positive oral peanut challenge. Fifty‐seven were randomized to OIT with biweekly dose step‐up until reaching MMD or IMD and 20 to observation only. Demographic and biological characteristics, AEs, medication and protocol deviations were explored for associations with reaching maintenance dose.Results: All children had anaphylaxis defined by objective symptoms in minimum two organ systems during baseline challenge. The MMD was reached by 21.1%, while 54.4% reached an IMD of median (minimum, maximum) 2700 (250, 4000) mg peanut protein, whereas 24.5% discontinued OIT. During up‐dosing, 19.4% experienced anaphylaxis. Not reaching the MMD was caused by distaste for peanuts (66.7%), unacceptable AEs (26.7%) and social reasons (6.7%). Increased peanut s‐IgG4/s‐IgE ratio (OR [95% CI]: 1.02 [1.00, 1.04]) was associated with reaching MMD.Conclusion: Although 75.5% of children with peanut anaphylaxis reached a maintenance dose of 0.25‐5 g, only 21.1% reached the MMD. Distaste for peanuts and AEs, including high risk of anaphylaxis, limited the feasibility of reaching MMD.
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