Association between sleep disturbance and low back and pelvic pain in 4-month postpartum women: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Persistent low back and pelvic pain (LBPP) is a postpartum-specific health problem. Sleep disturbances' association with persistent LBPP is not yet clear. We aimed to examine the cross-sectional association between sleep disturbance and persistent LBPP at 4 months postpartum. METHODS: We enrolled 120 women with LBPP during pregnancy (mean age, 31.8; standard deviation, 4.9 years). The primary outcome was persistent LBPP. We assessed LBPP severity at 4 months postpartum using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), where women with an NRS score of ≥ 4 at 4 months postpartum were allocated to the persistent LBPP group. We assessed sleep disturbance at 4 months postpartum using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index with a total score of ≥ 6 indicating sleep disturbance. Moreover, we performed univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses to examine the cross-sectional association of sleep disturbance with persistent LBPP. The relevant confounding variables were age, body mass index, parity, and history of LBPP before pregnancy. RESULTS: Among the 120 women, 45 women had persistent LBPP (37.5%) with 32 (71.1%) of them reporting sleep disturbance. There was a significant association of sleep disturbance with persistent LBPP (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.28-6.19), which remained after adjustments for confounding variables (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.31-6.75). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that sleep disturbance is associated with persistent LBPP at 4 months postpartum; therefore, it should be taken into consideration in postpartum women with persistent LBPP.

Association between comprehensive workstation and neck and upper-limb pain among office worker.

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the association between comprehensive workstations and neck and upper-limb pain (NUP) among office workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 307 office workers (median age, 39 years; 88% men). Workstations (presence of armrest, armrest position, number of monitors used, mouse position, mouse usage, keyboard usage, and keyboard position) were investigated in terms of 17 items and judged as "adequate" or "inadequate." NUP was assessed using a numerical rating scale. NUP locations included the neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist. In the statistical analysis, outcome variables were the presence of pain in each part, while explanatory variables were the number of inadequate workstations. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with adjustment for age, gender, working duration, and exercise habit. RESULTS: The prevalence of neck pain was 47% (n = 143), shoulder pain was 50% (n = 153), elbow pain was 7.2% (n = 22), and wrist pain was 13% (n = 40). In the adjusted model, the number of inadequate workstations had significant positive associations with elbow pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06.1.81) and wrist pain (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.17.2.26). However, the number of inadequate workstations was not significantly associated with neck pain or shoulder pain. CONCLUSIONS: Workstation-related factors (presence of armrest, armrest position, mouse usage, and keyboard usage) were significantly associated with elbow and wrist pain. Our findings suggest that workstations can contribute to elbow and wrist pain in office workers.

Association Between Kinesiophobia and Life Space Among Community-Dwelling Older People with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

OBJECTIVE: Kinesiophobia (i.e., fear of movement caused by pain) is increasingly acknowledged as a determinant of disuse among patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Kinesiophobia may affect life space-a crucial indicator of an active lifestyle among older people. This study aimed to investigate the previously unexamined association between kinesiophobia and life space among community-dwelling older people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community. SUBJECTS: We analyzed data from 194 community-dwelling older people (age ≥65 years, mean age = 75.7 years, 71.6% women) with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: Kinesiophobia, life space, and pain severity were assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Life Space Assessment, and Brief Pain Inventory. Linear regression models were applied to analyze the associations between kinesiophobia and life space, and pain severity and life space. RESULTS: In our sample, the prevalence rates for chronic musculoskeletal pain were 10.82% (N = 21) for neck, 55.15% (N = 107) for lower back, 25.26% (N = 49) for shoulder, and 50.00% (N = 97) for knee. The results suggest that higher kinesiophobia is associated with smaller life space (adjusted beta = -0.91, 95% CI = -1.43 to -0.45, P < 0.001), even after adjustment for age, gender, years of education, pain severity, and presence of comorbidity. On the contrary, no significant association between pain severity and life space was observed (adjusted beta = -0.61, 95% CI = -2.92 to 1.72, P = 0.624). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that kinesiophobia plays an important role in the determination of life space among older people with chronic musculoskeletal pain.