Investigation of the effect of social support perceived by workplace employees on anxiety and job satisfaction during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of stress and anxiety at work. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of the support provided to the employees by the workplaces about the depression, anxiety, stress, job satisfaction of the employees during the COVID-19. METHOD: The inclusion criterias were as follows: being between 18 and 65 years old, working at the time of the survey. The study self-administered included Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS), Organizational Support Perception Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS). RESULTS: In total, 260 people (mean age 38.17±14.9 years, 148 female) completed the survey. Extremely severe depression displayed on 39.9 %, extremely severe anxiety on 37.1%, and severe stress on 28.3% of the participants. Scores for depression (9.6±9.03), anxiety (7.2±7.04), stress (11.7±7.8) were also high for employees. It was observed that the average of organizational support score was 30.4±7.24, and the average job satisfaction score was 28.6±5.35. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between organizational support and job satisfaction (r = 0.562, p = 0.00). Considering the relationship between organizational support and DASS scale; there was negative correlation between (r =-0.161, p = 0.013). The results of the regression indicated that the model explained 32.9 % of the variance and that the model was a significant predictor, F (2,66)=117.145, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Organizational support are associated with a decline in mental health and job satisfaction. Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive job organizational support-related behaviors should be utilized to address increases in psychological distress during the pandemic.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish Örebro musculoskeletal pain screening questionnaire-short form.

BACKGROUND: The Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ) is one of the most recognized and widely used instruments for identifying the risk of pain chronicity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to provide the reliability and validity of the Turkish ÖMPSQ-Short Form (ÖMPSQ-SF). METHODS: Fifty-seven acute and subacute low back pain patients were included in the study. ÖMPSQ short form and long form, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaires were applied simultaneously for validation. The ÖMPSQ-SF was re-applied after 7-10 days to determine test-retest reliability. The data were analyzed by the paired-samples t test, correlation analysis, Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 39.05±15.68 years. Cronbach's alpha was 0.723, and the ICC was 0.84. There were moderate to strong correlation among the ÖMPSQ-SF and the ODI, CSI, ÖMPSQ-long form, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire work subscale (r = 0.72, r = 0.353, r = 0.648, r = 0.457 respectively). CONCLUSION: The results show that the Turkish version of the ÖMPSQ-SF is a valid and reliable questionnaire and could be used in clinical and scientific studies.

Effects of Masai Barefoot Technology Footwear Compared with Barefoot and Oxford Footwear on Gait.

BACKGROUND: Shoes, with their biomechanical features, affect the human body and function as clothing that protects the foot. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes on gait in healthy, young individuals compared with bare feet and classic stable shoes. METHODS: The study was conducted in 67 healthy females aged 18 to 30 years. All volunteers walked barefoot, in Oxford shoes, and in MBT shoes and were evaluated in the same session. Kinematic gait analyses were performed. The three performances were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance to study the variance in the groups themselves, and the Friedman and Wilcoxon paired two-sample tests were used for the intragroup comparisons. RESULTS: We found that the single support time and the swing phase ratio increased during walking in MBT shoes compared with walking in stable shoes, whereas the double support ratio, stride length, cadence, gait speed, loading response ratio, and preswing phase ratio decreased. However, it was found that the step and stride length, step width, and gait speed increased and the preswing phase extended during walking in stable shoes compared with walking barefoot. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis that MBT shoes facilitate foot cycles as they reduce the loading response and the preswing and stance phase ratios.

Evaluation of vestibular functions and balance in Edirne Band musicians.

BACKGROUND: It has been found that intense noise may affect the peripheral vestibular system and consequently causes problems in balance mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to chronic noise on vestibular functions and balance in Edirne Band musicians. METHODS: Twenty-two individuals working in the Edirne Band for at least 5 years and a control group of 22 individuals working at Trakya University with similar sociodemographic characteristics were included. The socio-demographic questionnaire was used to inquire about the demographic characteristics of individuals, the ABC Scale to assess how they felt about the balance, and the DHI to determine the quality of life related to dizziness. A 3D ultrasonic system was used to assess the static and dynamic balance of the individuals. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the band and the control group in terms of longitudinal deviation and self-spin parameters of the Unterberger test, dizziness handicap inventory scores, functional balance according to activity-specific balance confidence scale (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of our study, it has been shown that the balance, quality of life and vestibular system functions are negatively affected in the band exposed to noise for a long time.

Temporomandibular joint disorder determined by Fonseca anamnestic index and associated factors in 18- to 27-year-old university students.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and associated risk factors. METHODS: This study was conducted using 212 university students. Based on the Fonseca anamnestic index, the population was divided into two groups: those with TMD and those without TMD. The two groups were compared in terms of global body posture, craniohorizontal and craniovertebral angles, neck and temporomandibular joint range of motion, stress level, and sleep quality. RESULTS: Stress level, sleep quality, and left cervical rotation were found to have statistical differences between the groups (p = 0.00, 0.00, and 0.046, respectively). Sleep quality and stress level were found to be important risk factors for the presence of TMD (p = 0.017 and 0.00, respectively). DISCUSSION: In the prevention and treatment of TMD, a holistic approach that evaluates mechanical factors and psychosocial factors should be adopted.

Musculoskeletal problems in academicians and related factors in Turkey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Musculoskeletal problems are a common health problem with professional and ergonomic features. This study's purpose was to investigate the musculoskeletal problems distribution and related factors among academicians. METHODS: This study was performed by using a personal and professional information questionnaire, the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. RESULTS: The study was completed with 142 academicians (89 female, 53 male). Mean age was 39.91 ± 8.90 years, physical activity level was 1067.31 ± 1866.95 MET-minute/week, and work time was 13.73 ± 9.15 years. Neck and lower back pain were mostly seen in academicians and their incidence was equal (63.4%). The most experienced pain the previous year was neck pain (39.4%), and upper back pain is the most experienced pain today (19%). The body part that mostly caused the use of medication is neck pain (23%), and mostly caused limitation and sick-leave was low back in the past 12 months (respectively 19.7% and 9.2%). Gender, body mass index, weekly workload, physical activity level, and marital status have been determined to have an effect on musculoskeletal problems in academicians (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The most common musculoskeletal problems reported by academicians were in the upper back and neck regions, which have low level physical activity.

Effect of telephone-supported ergonomic education on pregnancy-related low back pain.

This study investigated the effect of telephone-supported ergonomic education on pregnancy-related low back pain. This study was performed at Trakya University Hospital in Edirne, Turkey between December 15, 2016 and April 4, 2017. One hundred ten pregnant women were included in the study and randomly assigned to one of two groups. Sixty pregnant women received one face-to-face session of ergonomic education followed by three weekly sessions of telephone-supported ergonomic education (intervention group). Fifty pregnant women received only one session of standard face-to-face ergonomic education. Before and after the intervention, low back pain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale. Pain-related disability was evaluated with the Oswestry Disability Index, and health-related quality of life was evaluated with the SF-36. Telephone-supported ergonomic education was more effective than standard ergonomic education and can be used as an effective solution for pregnancy-related low back pain.

Musculoskeletal problems and attitudes towards footwear among university students.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Footwear preferences and habits may be related to musculoskeletal system problems. This study was designed to determine the relationship between the selection of footwear, musculoskeletal problems and the affecting factors among university students from that different division. METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-six university students in the divisions of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation, Nursing and Business Administration participated in this study. The data was collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers and the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the participants, 68.5% preferred to wear sports shoes; 24.0% of the participants had foot pain. Comfort, robustness and quality come to the fore in the behavioural patterns of young and healthy individuals regarding footwear. Those who experienced foot and lower back pain considered such parameters as quality, fitness for foot health, flexibility and lightness in footwear. CONCLUSIONS: While patterns such as foot health, flexibility and lightness are reflected in the footwear preferences of those who have lower back pain, those who have pain or problems in their feet take into consideration the quality, lightness, fitness to foot health. The relationship determined in the present study shows that those who experience pain are more selective in their footwear preferences.

Effects of ballet training of children in Turkey on foot anthropometric measurements and medial longitudinal arc development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ballet training on foot structure and the formation of the medial longitudinal arc in childhood, and the association of body mass index with structural change secondary to ballet training. METHODS: This study was conducted at Öykü Ballet and Dance School and Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey, from September 2007 to November 2008, and comprised girl students who were taking ballet classes, and a group of those who were not taking such who acted as the controls. Static footprints of both feet of all participants were taken with an ink paedogram. Parameters evaluated from footprints included foot length, metatarsal width, heel width and medial longitudinal arch. The relationship between the parameters, the ballet starting age, training duration and body mass index was investigated. RESULTS: Of the 67 participants, there were 36(53.7%) in the experimental group and 31(48.3%) in the control group. The difference between age, height, weight and body mass index between the two groups was insignificant (p>0.05). The average ballet starting age was 6.47±1.55 years and duration was 4.36±2.002 years. Positive correlations were found between body mass index and foot length, metatarsal width, heel width, medial longitudinal arch contact width and halluxvalgus angle; between ballet starting age and metatarsal width, heel width; between duration of training and foot length, metatarsal width and hallux valgus angle (p?0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supporting the education in children on foot anthropometric measurements and medial longitudinal arc development could not be found.