Psychological risk profile for overuse injuries in sport: An exploratory study.

Overuse injuries account for a substantial part of sport injury incidence among athletes of various sports and levels. Despite the gradual onset of symptoms, athletes often persevere in training and competing. The present exploratory study aimed to identify a psychological risk profile for overuse injury. One hundred and forty-nine athletes competing in various sports responded to a range of questionnaires measuring the following psychological variables: negative life stress, perfectionistic concerns, perfectionistic strivings, athletic identity, and the coach-athlete relationship. Participants subsequently answered the OSTRC Overuse Injury Questionnaire on a weekly basis during a 10-week period. Using a latent profile analysis, athletes were classified into three latent profiles regarding their psychological characteristics. Athletes in the second profile, characterized by a combination of high athletic identity, perfectionistic concerns and negative life stress and poor coach-athlete relationship, were found to be significantly more often affected by overuse injuries (74% of the time) than individuals in the two other profiles (52% and 48% of the time, respectively). In conclusion, psychological factors may contribute to the risk of overuse injuries through complex interactions (i.e. accounting for interdependencies within a specific configuration of variables) rather than through their independent influences.

Elite athletes' experiences of musculoskeletal pain management using neuroanatomical dry needling: A qualitative study in Swedish track and field.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate how elite track and field athletes with a history of musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) describe their perceptions of clinical treatments based on dry needling guided by a neurological map (neuroanatomical dry needling (naDN)). DESIGN: Qualitative study. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with eight elite Swedish track and field athletes (6 males, 2 females, median age 28.5) treated at a clinic specialised in MSKP management. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were structured and analysed using a thematic method. RESULTS: The athletes approached clinical MSKP treatment from a performance-orientated perspective. They explained that they inevitably suffered MSKP episodes due to the intense physical demands of their sport. The use of naDN was considered an integral part of their sports practice and the study clinic's services were readily utilised when MSKP caused minor reductions in physical capacity. The athletes appreciated an unambiguous anatomical diagnosis, preferably supported by imaging scans, as this increased their confidence in clinical services. They valued the naDN treatment as it was perceived to provide fast-acting analgesia that enabled rapid return-to-play. These factors combined to reduce performance-related stress. CONCLUSIONS: Elite track and field athletes with a history of MSKP sought and appreciated clinical treatment with naDN largely because it provided fast-acting analgesia that enabled rapid return-to-play at a high-performance level. These athletes' expectations of MSKP diagnosis and management appear incongruent with current research indicating that MSKP sensitivity within the nervous system does not accurately reflect musculoskeletal tissue state or recovery following tissue damage.

Training Load, Injury Burden, and Team Success in Professional Rugby Union: Risk Versus Reward.

CONTEXT: Individual and team injury burden and performance are 2 key considerations facing practitioners in the daily prescription of an athlete's training load. Whereas a considerable number of researchers have examined univariate relationships between training load and performance, training load and injury, or injury and performance, few investigators have examined all 3 concurrently. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association among training load, injury burden, and performance in professional rugby union. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. SETTING: The English Premiership competition. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Individual injury and training load data, as well as team performance data, were captured during the 2015-2016 (n = 433 players) and 2016-2017 (n = 569 players) seasons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Data were aggregated into team average scores for each week, including weekly (acute) load, smoothed chronic load, changes in load, injury burden, and weekly performance. Linear mixed modelling techniques were used to assess the association among measures. RESULTS: Injury burden was negatively associated with performance, with a high weekly burden associated with a likely harmful (P = .01) decrease in performance. Training load measures displayed only trivial associations with performance. Only the acute:chronic workload ratio measure was clearly associated with injury burden, with a possibly harmful effect (P = .02). Both squad size and player availability were associated with only trivial changes in performance. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas no association between average training load and performance existed, associations between training load and injury burden and between injury burden and performance were clear. Further investigation using more sensitive and individualized measures of load, performance, and injury may elicit a clearer relationship and should be considered for future work.

Eating, Sleep, and Social Patterns as Independent Predictors of Clinical, Metabolic, and Biochemical Behaviors Among Elite Male Athletes: The EROS-PREDICTORS Study.

Objectives: Physiological hormonal adaptions in athletes and pathological changes that occur in overtraining syndrome among athletes are unclear. The Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome (EROS) study evaluated 117 markers and unveiled novel hormonal and metabolic beneficial adaptive processes in athletes. The objective of the present study was to uncover which modifiable factors predict the behaviors of clinical and biochemical parameters and to understand their mechanisms and outcomes using the parameters evaluated in the EROS study. Methods: We used multivariate linear regression with 39 participants to analyze five independent variables-the modifiable parameters (caloric, carbohydrate, and protein intake, and sleep quality and duration of concurrent cognitive activity) on 37 dependent variables-that were elected among the parameters evaluated in the EROS study. Results: Carbohydrate intake predicted quick hormonal responses to stress and improved explosive responses during exercise. Protein intake predicted improved body composition and metabolism and caloric intake, regardless of the proportion of macronutrients, predicted muscle recovery, and alertness in the morning. Sleep quality predicted improved mood and excessive concurrent cognitive effort in athletes under intense training predicted impaired metabolism and libido. Conclusions: The results support the premise that eating, sleep, and social patterns modulate metabolic and hormonal function, clinical behaviors, and performance status of male athletes, and should be monitored continuously and actively to avoid dysfunctions.

Single Sport Specialization in the Skeletally Immature Athlete: Current Concepts.

Youth sport participation patterns have drastically changed over the past two decades. Increasingly, young individuals are specializing in single sport while skeletally immature. Sport specialization in the growing athlete has profound effects on performance, short- and long-term injury risks, and joint health. Evidence continues to mount as the detrimental effects of this trend on the immature athlete. The knee, shoulder, and elbow of these young athletes are particularly affected by this emphasis on skill-based sporting activity as opposed to generalized fitness and participation. An understanding of the epidemiology of sport participation, particularly financial impacts, and the effects on elite sport performance are critical so that the clinician can effectively educate athletes, parents, and coaches.

A hidden mismatch between experiences of young athletes with overuse injuries of the wrist and sports physicians' perceptions: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Although overuse wrist injuries can have serious consequences, young athletes often do not immediately report their injury to a physician. This qualitative study aimed to identify symptoms and limitations related to overuse wrist injuries that young athletes consider important and to compare those with sports physicians' opinions, in order to improve the diagnostic process for early identification of overuse wrist injuries. METHODS: Twenty-one athletes aged 13-25 years in wrist-loading sports (gymnastics, tennis, judo, field hockey, volleyball and rowing) with a (previous) overuse wrist injury were included. In five focus groups, participants discussed important signals and limitations of their injury, as well as a list of relevant items previously composed by sports physicians. Data were grouped into themes and (sub)categories and subsequently coded. RESULTS: Of the resulting 224 signals and 80 limitations, respectively 81 and 20 were labelled important. Athletes considered both pain and limitations during daily life activities important indicators of overuse wrist injury, as well as long pain duration, acute onset of pain, and accompanying symptoms like swelling, cracking and discoloration. All of the sports physicians' items were also considered important by the athletes, but sport-related pain and limitations were regarded by many athletes as a natural part of their sport. CONCLUSIONS: Discrepancies exist between the opinions of young athletes and sports physicians on sport-related pain reporting and competing regardless of pain or limitations. Although clinicians may be inclined to focus on these aspects, they are advised to also inquire specifically about limitations and pain during daily life activities in young athletes with overuse wrist injuries.

The Overtraining Syndrome in Soldiers: Insights from the Sports Domain.

INTRODUCTION: Soldiers are exposed to extreme training regimens in order to optimally prepare for real battle. High attrition rates are a known issue during training courses, especially for elite troops. An underlying factor might be the disbalance between stress/strain and recovery. The aim of this review is to give insight in the current knowledge about functional overreaching (FOR), non-FOR (NFOR), and the overtraining syndrome (OTS) in the military. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted. PubMed, IngentaConnect, Science Direct, and Web of Science were screened for the following keywords and combinations of search terms; military, personnel, OT, soldier. RESULTS: Seven studies investigating the effects of OT during training courses were selected. The definitions used for OT varied widely and there is no systematic use of markers to determine FOR, NFOR, or the OTS in the military. CONCLUSIONS: Much research on NFOR/OTS has been conducted in the sports domain and the military could make use of these insights to promote a more efficient balance between training load and recovery. It is suggested to regularly test soldiers on physical performance, psychomotor speed and mood using ideally a military-specific test or the 1.5-mile run, psychomotor vigilance test and Profile of Mood States. The two-bout exercise test can be used as a specific test if previous testing indicates the development of NFOR/OTS and can be combined with metabolic and immunological testing to exclude pathological causes.

Validation of the scale to evaluate physical damages related to the Abusive Use of Technology in daily life (PDAUTS)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: New computer technologies, namely smart cellphones and tablets, among others, interacting along the daily life of individuals may contribute toward the rise of problems: depression, stress and physical damage (undue postures, upper and lower extremity disorders, vision problems, obesity), all of them related to excessive time spent on technological equipment; together with inadequate furniture, quality of life can be seriously affected. OBJECTIVE: To validate a scale to evaluate physical damage related to the Abusive Use of Technology (PDAUTS) in daily life. METHODS: Validation of the PDAUTS was performed through 5 phases: (1) initial scale construction with 20 questions; (2) expert evaluation of questions; (3) application to 200 volunteers; (4) statistical analysis of the results; (5) preparation of the final validated version, retaining the 20 questions. RESULTS: We used the R statistical program, version 3.4.2 and the "dplyr" package to present the descriptive statistics, the hypothesis tests of mean differences and the factor analysis. The results provided a validated final version for PDAUTS. The last step of the study was to calculate Cronbach's alpha parameter, in order to measure the internal consistency of the scale. The value found was 0.897, which in is considered very good. CONCLUSION: The validated PDAUTS allowed us to evaluate physical damage in each subject and design adequate training and treatment programs, reducing overall impairments and contributing to the improvement in quality of life.

Socioeconomic Factors for Sports Specialization and Injury in Youth Athletes.

BACKGROUND: The effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on rates of sports specialization and injury among youth athletes has not been described previously. HYPOTHESIS: Young athletes from lower socioeconomic status will have lower rates of sports specialization and subsequently lower risk of overuse injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Injured athletes aged 7 to 18 years were recruited from 2 hospital-based sports medicine clinics and compared with uninjured athletes presenting for sports physicals at primary care clinics between 2010 and 2013. Participants completed surveys on training patterns. Electronic medical records provided injury details as well as patient zip code, race, and health insurance type. SES was estimated from zip codes. The sample was divided into SES tertiles. Analysis of variance and multivariate regression were used for continuous variables, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore relationships between risk factors and injury. RESULTS: Of 1190 athletes surveyed, 1139 (96%) had satisfactory SES data. Compared with low-SES athletes, high-SES athletes reported more hours per week spent playing organized sports (11.2 ± 6.0 vs 10.0 ± 6.5; P = 0.02), trained more months per year in their main sport (9.7 ± 3.1 vs 7.6 ± 3.7; P < 0.01), were more often highly specialized (38.9% vs 16.6%; P < 0.01), and had increased participation in individual sports (64.8% vs 40.0%; P < 0.01). The proportion of athletes with a greater than 2:1 ratio of weekly hours in organized sports to free play increased with SES. Accounting for age and weekly organized sports hours, the odds of reporting a serious overuse injury increased with SES (odds ratio, 1.5; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: High-SES athletes reported more serious overuse injuries than low-SES athletes, potentially due to higher rates of sports specialization, more hours per week playing organized sports, higher ratio of weekly hours in organized sports to free play, and greater participation in individual sports. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As SES increases, young athletes report higher degrees of sports specialization, greater participation in individual sports, and more serious overuse injuries.

[Construction and deconstruction of masculine identities among metalworkers with RSI/WRMD]. / Construção e desconstrução das identidades masculinas entre trabalhadores metalúrgicos acometidos de LER/DORT.

This study aimed to reveal how metalworkers experience prolonged incapacity for work due to repetitive strain injury/work-related musculoskeletal disorder (RSI/WRMD) and the impact of chronic illness on the construction/deconstruction of masculinity. A qualitative study was performed, based on narrative interviews with male metalworkers in an automotive factory in the State of Bahia, Brazil. The results showed how the conflict in the experience of illness, the maintenance of male identity, and expectations of meeting the rules dictated by hegemonic masculinity are experienced and signified in daily life. Metalworkers' experience of illness with RSI/WRMD is expressed in their incapacity for work, deconstruction of self-esteem, loss of collective identity, and interruption of future prospects. In conclusion, hegemonic masculinity exposes men to more health risks, plays a mediating role in work-related illness, alters trajectories of care, and explains men's unwillingness to seek help.

Este estudo teve por objetivo compreender como trabalhadores metalúrgicos vivenciam a incapacidade prolongada para o trabalho por lesões por esforços repetitivos/distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (LER/DORT) e o impacto do adoecimento crônico na construção/desconstrução da masculinidade. Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo baseado em entrevistas narrativas com homens metalúrgicos de um complexo automotivo no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Os resultados revelaram como o conflito da experiência de adoecimento, a tentativa de manutenção da identidade masculina, bem como as expectativas de cumprir as regras ditadas pela masculinidade hegemônica são vivenciadas e significadas no cotidiano. A experiência de adoecimento dos metalúrgicos com LER/DORT se expressa na incapacitação para o trabalho, desconstrução da autoimagem, perda da identidade coletiva, desconstrução do self e interdição do futuro. Conclui-se que a masculinidade hegemônica expõe os homens a mais riscos em saúde, cumpre papel mediador do adoecimento no trabalho, altera trajetórias de cuidado e explica a resistência dos homens em procurar ajuda.

El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender cómo viven la incapacidad prolongada para el trabajo, debido a lesiones por esfuerzos repetitivos y trastornos osteo muscular relacionados con el trabajo (LER/DORT), los trabajadores metalúrgicos, así como su impacto en el padecimiento crónico y en la construcción/deconstrucción de la masculinidad. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo, basado en entrevistas narrativas con hombres del sector metalúrgico de un complejo automovilístico en el estado de Bahía, Brasil. Los resultados revelaron cómo el conflicto de la experiencia del padecimiento, el mantenimiento de su identidad masculina, así como las expectativas de cumplir las reglas dictadas por la masculinidad hegemónica se viven y se manifiestan en el día a día. La experiencia de padecimiento de los trabajadores metalúrgicos con LER/DORT se expresa en la incapacitación para el trabajo, deconstrucción de la autoimagen, pérdida de la identidad colectiva, deconstrucción del self y la ausencia de perspectivas de futuro. Se concluye que la masculinidad hegemónica expone a los hombres a más riesgos en salud, cumple un papel mediador de la enfermedad en el trabajo, altera trayectorias de cuidado y explica la resistencia de los hombres a buscar ayuda.

Body composition, metabolism, sleep, psychological and eating patterns of overtraining syndrome: Results of the EROS study (EROS-PROFILE).

Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is caused by an imbalance between training, nutrition and resting, and leads to decreased performance and fatigue; however, the precise underlying triggers of OTS remain unclear. This study investigated the body composition, metabolism, eating, sleeping patterns and mood states among participants with OTS. Selected participants were divided into OTS-affected athletes (OTS, n = 14), healthy athletes (ATL, n = 25), and healthy non-physically active controls (NCS, n = 12). Compared to ATL, OTS showed decreased sleep quality (p = 0.004); increased duration of work or study (p < 0.001); decreased libido (p = 0.024); decreased calorie (p < 0.001), carbohydrate (p < 0.001) and protein (p < 0.001) intakes; decreased mood states (p < 0.001); decreased basal metabolic rate (p = 0.013) and fat burning (p < 0.001); increased body fat (p = 0.006); decreased muscle mass (p = 0.008); and decreased hydration (p < 0.001). Levels were similar between OTS and NCS, except for worsened fatigue (p < 0.001) and vigour (p = 0.001) in OTS. Reduced calorie intake, worsened sleep, and increased cognitive activity are likely OTS triggers. OTS appears to induce dehydration, increase body fat, decrease libido, and worsen mood.

Validation of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised in Spanish-Speakers Participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) is one of the two key diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DSM-5 highlights the importance of severity-based diagnostic modifiers assigned on the basis of intensity of needed supports. Therefore, there is a need for available measures that assess the severity of RRB. The repetitive behavior scale-revised (RBS-R) is probably the most used informant-based rating scale for the assessment of RRB and interests observed in ASD. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the RBS-R in a sample of 233 participants with ASD, aged 3 to 63 years. Results revealed a six-factor model, good internal consistency, and concurrent-divergent validity. These findings suggest the utility of the Spanish version of RBS-R.

Erognomic education on housework for women with upper limb repetitive strain injury (RSI): a conceptual representation of therapists' clinical reasoning.

BACKGROUND: Ergonomic education in housework that aims to facilitate behavior change is important for women with upper limb repetitive strain injury. Therapists usually conduct such programs based on implicit reasoning. Making this reasoning explicit is important in contributing to the profession's knowledge. AIM: To construct a conceptual representation of how occupational therapists make clinical decisions for such program. METHOD: Based on a constructivist-grounded theory methodology, data were collected through in-depth interviewing with 14 occupational therapists from a major hospital in Singapore. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Data was analyzed with line by line, focused and axial coding with constant data comparison throughout data collection. RESULTS: Therapists made clinical decisions based on their perceptions of their clients' behavior change in three stages: (i) listen; (ii) try; and (iii) persevere, bearing significant similarities to the transtheoretical theory of change. The study also showed that therapists may not have considered the full range of meanings that their clients attach to housework when interacting with them, a gap that needs to be addressed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates the importance of therapists' understanding of the meanings that their clients attach to housework. Further research needs to address how to achieve this in a time-pressured clinical environment. Implications for Rehabilitation This study used qualitative research to demonstrate the process of translating therapists' tacit knowledge into an explicit form. It elucidates the following major implications for practice when therapists conduct ergonomic education to facilitate behavior change in housework for female homemakers with upper limb RSI:The conceptual framework of clinical reasoning constructed from the results can be used to increase therapists' awareness of how they make clinical decisions during an intervention. This framework can also be used for training new therapists. It is important for therapists to actively listen to their clients. Active listening will enable the therapists to understand and consider the personal meanings that these women attach to housework in order to facilitate a behavior change. Client-therapist interactions to facilitate clients' willingness to change should become a major focus in such a program. Similar research should be conducted in other clinical areas to develop explicit clinical reasoning frameworks to facilitate learning of novice therapists and reflection of experienced therapists to address any gap in their clinical reasoning.

Construção e desconstrução das identidades masculinas entre trabalhadores metalúrgicos acometidos de LER/DORT / Construction and deconstruction of masculine identities among metalworkers with RSI/WRMD / Construcción y deconstrucción de las identidades masculinas entre trabajadores metalúrgicos que sufren LER/DORT

Resumo: Este estudo teve por objetivo compreender como trabalhadores metalúrgicos vivenciam a incapacidade prolongada para o trabalho por lesões por esforços repetitivos/distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (LER/DORT) e o impacto do adoecimento crônico na construção/desconstrução da masculinidade. Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo baseado em entrevistas narrativas com homens metalúrgicos de um complexo automotivo no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. Os resultados revelaram como o conflito da experiência de adoecimento, a tentativa de manutenção da identidade masculina, bem como as expectativas de cumprir as regras ditadas pela masculinidade hegemônica são vivenciadas e significadas no cotidiano. A experiência de adoecimento dos metalúrgicos com LER/DORT se expressa na incapacitação para o trabalho, desconstrução da autoimagem, perda da identidade coletiva, desconstrução do self e interdição do futuro. Conclui-se que a masculinidade hegemônica expõe os homens a mais riscos em saúde, cumpre papel mediador do adoecimento no trabalho, altera trajetórias de cuidado e explica a resistência dos homens em procurar ajuda.

Abstract: This study aimed to reveal how metalworkers experience prolonged incapacity for work due to repetitive strain injury/work-related musculoskeletal disorder (RSI/WRMD) and the impact of chronic illness on the construction/deconstruction of masculinity. A qualitative study was performed, based on narrative interviews with male metalworkers in an automotive factory in the State of Bahia, Brazil. The results showed how the conflict in the experience of illness, the maintenance of male identity, and expectations of meeting the rules dictated by hegemonic masculinity are experienced and signified in daily life. Metalworkers' experience of illness with RSI/WRMD is expressed in their incapacity for work, deconstruction of self-esteem, loss of collective identity, and interruption of future prospects. In conclusion, hegemonic masculinity exposes men to more health risks, plays a mediating role in work-related illness, alters trajectories of care, and explains men's unwillingness to seek help.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender cómo viven la incapacidad prolongada para el trabajo, debido a lesiones por esfuerzos repetitivos y trastornos osteo muscular relacionados con el trabajo (LER/DORT), los trabajadores metalúrgicos, así como su impacto en el padecimiento crónico y en la construcción/deconstrucción de la masculinidad. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo, basado en entrevistas narrativas con hombres del sector metalúrgico de un complejo automovilístico en el estado de Bahía, Brasil. Los resultados revelaron cómo el conflicto de la experiencia del padecimiento, el mantenimiento de su identidad masculina, así como las expectativas de cumplir las reglas dictadas por la masculinidad hegemónica se viven y se manifiestan en el día a día. La experiencia de padecimiento de los trabajadores metalúrgicos con LER/DORT se expresa en la incapacitación para el trabajo, deconstrucción de la autoimagen, pérdida de la identidad colectiva, deconstrucción del self y la ausencia de perspectivas de futuro. Se concluye que la masculinidad hegemónica expone a los hombres a más riesgos en salud, cumple un papel mediador de la enfermedad en el trabajo, altera trayectorias de cuidado y explica la resistencia de los hombres a buscar ayuda.

Injury Risk Is Increased by Changes in Perceived Recovery of Team Sport Players.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate if changes in perceived stress and recovery over the course of a season are risk factors for acute and overuse injuries. DESIGN: A prospective nonexperimental cohort design. SETTING: Data were gathered at the SportsFieldLab Groningen and at the facilities of the participating teams. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-six male and female basketball, volleyball, and korfball players aged 21.9 ± 3.5 years. INTERVENTIONS: In this 10-month observational study, the independent variables are the changes in perceived stress and recovery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) was filled out every 3 weeks throughout the season to assess changes in perceived stress and recovery. Acute and overuse injuries were registered by the teams' physical therapists. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: During one season, 66 acute and 62 overuse injuries were registered. Multinomial regression analysis showed that perceived General Recovery, shown in the scales Social Recovery and General Well-Being, decreased in the 6-week period before an acute injury (OR 0.59 and 0.61, respectively, P ≤ 0.05) compared with healthy periods. Risk of overuse injuries increased when perceived Sport Recovery, shown in the Personal Accomplishment scale, decreased in the 3-week period before the injury (OR 0.59, P ≤ 0.05) compared with healthy periods. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, decreased perceived recovery can indicate an increased injury risk. General Recovery affects acute injury risk and Sport Recovery affects the risk of an overuse injury. Monitoring perceived recovery over the course of a season could give guidance for recovery enhancing practices to prevent injuries.

Percepção da qualidade de vida em portadores de distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho / Percepción de la calidad de vida en portadores de trastornos musculoesqueléticos (tme) relacionados al trabajo / Perception of quality of life in patients with work-related musculoskeletal disorders

RESUMO Os Distúrbios Osteomusculares Relacionados ao Trabalho (DORT) são doenças crônicas causadas pelo trabalho extenuante, sem pausas, com posturas incorretas e movimentos repetitivos. Estudos mostram que portadores de doenças crônicas tendem a ter uma baixa qualidade de vida. Sendo assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a percepção da qualidade de vida de portadores de DORT no Estado de Sergipe, Brasil. A amostra foi composta por 17 trabalhadores aludidos nos Centros de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador do referido estado, no ano de 2013, os quais foram voluntários e responderam a um roteiro de entrevista elaborada pelos autores da pesquisa, e gravadas em áudio. Os resultados foram categorizados e descritos através da análise de conteúdo, o que permitiu a observação de que todos os aspectos de qualidade de vida demonstraram-se negativos. Considera-se que os trabalhadores avaliados nesta pesquisa possuem uma percepção negativa da qualidade de vida, o que influencia, também negativamente, no processo saúde e doença dos indivíduos.

RESUMEN Los Trastornos Musculoesqueléticos (TME) Relacionados al Trabajo son enfermedades crónicas, causadas por el trabajo extenuante, sin pausas, con posturas incorrectas y movimientos repetitivos. Estudios muestran que portadores de enfermedades crónicas suelen tener una baja calidad de vida. Así siendo, el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la percepción de la calidad de vida de portadores de TME en el Estado de Sergipe, Brasil. La muestra fue compuesta por 17 trabajadores referenciados en los Centros de Referencia en Salud del Trabajador del estado citado, en el año de 2013, que fueron voluntarios y respondieron a un guión de entrevistas elaboradas por los autores de la investigación, y grabadas en audio. Los resultados fueron categorizados y descriptos a través del análisis de contenido, lo que permitió la observación de que todos los aspectos de calidad de vida se demostraron negativos. Se considera que los trabajadores, evaluados en esta investigación, poseen una percepción negativa de la calidad de vida, y que, estos aspectos influyeron, también negativamente, en el proceso salud y enfermedad de los individuos.

ABSTRACT Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are chronic diseases caused by strenuous work without breaks and with incorrect postures and repetitive movements. Studies show that patients with chronic diseases tend to have a lower quality of life. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the perception of quality of life in people with WMSDs in Sergipe. The sample consisted of 17 employees referenced at Worker's Health Reference Centers in that state, in 2013, who volunteered and completed a set of interviews conducted and audio recorded by the research authors. Results were categorized and described through Bardin's content analysis and allowed the observation that all aspects of quality of life were negative. It is considered that the Sergipe workers assessed in this research have a negative perception of quality of life and that these aspects have an influence, also negative, on an individual's health-illness process.

Understanding decision-making towards housework among women with upper limb repetitive strain injury.

BACKGROUND: Among women with upper limb repetitive strain injury (RSI), occupational therapy interventions include education to facilitate ergonomic practices in housework. From a client-centred perspective, an understanding of women's decision-making about housework is needed to design effective occupational therapy programmes. This study addresses a gap in research in this area by exploring women's views about changing housework habits. AIM: The aim was to construct a conceptual representation to explain decision-making in housework by drawing on experiences of a sample of Singapore Chinese women with upper limb RSI from one hand therapy clinic. METHODS: Based on a constructivist grounded theory methodology, data were collected through in-depth interviewing with 15 women. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Data were analysed with line by line coding, focussed coding and axial coding with constant comparison throughout data collection. RESULTS: Decision-making in housework among these women involved three main themes: (i) emotional attachment to housework; (ii) cognitively informed decision; and (iii) emotionally influenced decision. Women with upper limb RSI had to make cognitive decisions for or against a change in housework to manage their condition. However, the women's cognitively informed decisions were shaped by their emotional attachment to housework. As such, they experienced strong emotional barriers to changing their housework practices even when they had cognitively accepted the necessity and possibility of making a change. CONCLUSIONS: Therapists need to be aware that counselling to address the emotional barriers experienced by women is important during ergonomic education.