Showing 69 results for Musculoskeletal
Mohammad Sadegh Sohrabi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: In the last decade in Iran, the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort among office workers has been reported in the neck, back, and shoulder areas. The present study aimed to assess the impact of ergonomic interventions in knowledge-based companies on musculoskeletal disorders, work-related stress, and quality of work life.
Methods: In this quasi-randomized controlled trial study, the participants, including 311 office workers, received ergonomic interventions at both individual and managerial levels.
Results: The implementation of individual ergonomic training interventions significantly reduced disorders in the neck, right and left shoulders, right forearm, and right wrist. Social support also demonstrated a significant increase in all three intervention groups. The interventions had a significant impact on the quality of working life. The changes in the mean quality of working life for the second and third groups in the first month of growth were significant and then continued similar to the trend of the control group.
Conclusion: The implementation of individual ergonomic training interventions significantly reduced musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs. Nonetheless, management training interventions did not affect the musculoskeletal disorders of employees. Furthermore, concurrent implementation of individual ergonomics and management interventions exerted a more pronounced effect on the reduction of disorders. The implementation of management educational interventions and combined interventions led to a marked increase in the level of control experienced by participants, while both types of social support interventions also increased. The implementation of a multi-component ergonomics intervention program was demonstrated to enhance the impact of interventions on employees' health and productivity.
Mounes Khani, Aram Tirgar, Samaneh Pourhadi, Zahra Geraili,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (7-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Considering that working with virtual education equipment increased significantly during the COVID-19 era, the purpose of this research was to investigate the association of complaints of musculoskeletal disorders with the use of electronic equipment during virtual education.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on a group of students in the first four years at Babol University of Medical Sciences, whose courses were mostly presented virtually. Data collection tools included a demographic information form and the standard Nordic questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS22 software using descriptive and inferential statistical indicators, including the Chi-square statistical test. The significance level was considered at 0.05.
Results: The data obtained from 318 medical sciences students showed that 83.6% of them complained of pain in the musculoskeletal system during the past year. More than 21% of the participants had to take medicine, 19.9% needed to visit a doctor, and 4.1% had to use physiotherapy services. The results also showed there was a direct and statistically significant correlation between the frequency of complaints regarding musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in the past week and year and the level of use of virtual teaching devices (P≤0.001).
Conclusion: The expansion of virtual education in universities and the prolonged and continuous use of electronic educational equipment can be effective in increasing the frequency of complaints of musculoskeletal disorders among medical sciences students. Moreover, the lack of regular physical activity, smoking, high levels of stress, insomnia, and fatigue among medical students were also known as other effective factors.
Saeed Ilbeigi, Masoumeh Al-Eghabi, Mohammad Yousefi, Mohammad Hamed Hosseini,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Designing one-handed carrying tasks based on biomechanical findings has a significant impact on preventing musculoskeletal injuries. The present study was conducted to investigate the muscle synergy of the trunk and pelvis in the manual carrying of loads with different weights in healthy young people.
Methods: In this experimental study, 20 male volunteers performed the walking protocol without load, carrying different weights of 5%, 10%, and 15% of their own weight during unilateral manual load carrying. The electrical activity of the trunk and pelvis muscles while carrying loads of different weights was recorded using an electromyography device (Biovision). To evaluate the differences between different load-carrying conditions, a repeated measures test was used at a significance level of P≤0.05.
Results: The results showed that in the performance of manual load carrying, there was a significant difference between muscle synergy (synergy size) in all walking protocols, including 5% and 10% of body weight and 5% and 15% of body weight and between 15% and 10% (P≤05). While in the performance of manual load carrying, a significant difference was found between muscle synergy (synergy direction) in 5% of body weight and 10% of body weight, this difference was not seen in manual load carrying with 5% of body weight and 15% of body weight and also between synergy of 15% and 10% (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that the difference in muscle synergy in terms of size in unilateral manual load carrying can, with increasing load, create more tension in the back and pelvic muscles; however, the direction or angle does not change compared to the no-load state.
Shiva Mohammadjani Kumeleh, Mohammad Amin Rashidi, Azim Akbari,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2025)
Abstract
Objectives: Administrative employees are often at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged computer use. Additionally, frequent interactions with clients expose them to a high mental workload and job stress. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, mental workload, general health, and job stress among administrative employees to improve their working conditions.
Methods: The present work followed a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical method and was conducted on the administrative employees of an engineering company in 2021. Finally, 119 individuals participated in the study using the census method. Demographic information questionnaires, as well as Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), Cornell, NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-UK job stress checklists were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: According to the posture assessment with the ROSA method, the average final ROSA score was 4.33±1.03. Examination of mental load with the NASA-TLX indicated that 78% had a high mental load. In addition, according to the GHQ questionnaire, the average final general health score was 24.4±11.73. Moreover, based on the HSE-UK occupational stress questionnaire, more than 80% (103 people) of employees were under severe stress, and 12% (15 people) were under critical stress. A significant relationship was observed between occupational stress, body mass index (BMI), and age (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The implementation of intervention and control measures to improve musculoskeletal disorders, workload, general health, and job stress seems to be essential.
Fatemeh Faraghati, Mohammad Javad Asadollahzadeh, Maryam Hasani,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (5-2025)
Abstract
Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common occupational health problems, particularly prevalent in driving-related professions. The present study aimed to assess body posture and the risk of developing MSDs among urban train operators in Mashhad, Iran, using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 140 train operators from the Mashhad Urban Railway in Iran were randomly selected. Demographic information and the prevalence of MSDs were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and postural assessment was performed using the REBA method. Statistical analysis was conducted using parametric (independent samples t-test) and non-parametric (chi-square) tests.
Results: According to the findings, 87.1% of participants reported musculoskeletal complaints in at least one body region. The most commonly affected areas were the neck (60%), lower back (57.1%), and upper back (33.6%). The results related to REBA indicated that 71.4% of operators were in the medium-risk category. There was a significant association between MSDs and body mass index (BMI), as well as years of work experience (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of MSDs and the medium level of postural risk among train operators, ergonomic interventions and training on proper working posture are strongly recommended to improve occupational health in this group.
Ali Afshari,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (1-2026)
Abstract
Objectives: With the expansion of digital technologies and the increasing use of smart tools in workplaces, challenges, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and reduced employee productivity, have emerged. This study aimed to examine the impact of ergonomic digital workplace design and smart tools on MSDs and employee productivity at Maragheh University.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive-analytical design. The statistical population included administrative employees of Maragheh University in 2024. A total of 150 people were selected as a sample from the population above according to the Morgan table and the stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the Sprecher et al. questionnaire to assess MSDs and an organizational productivity questionnaire. The obtained data were then analyzed using Pearson's correlation and multiple regression in SPSS software (version 25).
Results: The findings revealed a significant negative relationship between musculoskeletal health and productivity (r = -0.47), indicating that increased musculoskeletal problems were associated with decreased efficiency (r = -0.41), task quality (r = -0.39), goal commitment (r = -0.45), and time management (r = -0.36). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that digital workplace design and the use of smart tools were significantly associated with reduced musculoskeletal problems (β = -0.52, P < 0.05) and increased employee productivity (β = 0.46, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate that ergonomic workplace design combined with smart tools reduces musculoskeletal discomfort and enhances employee productivity. These findings emphasize the importance of ergonomic workplaces and smart tools in promoting both employee health and performance.
Abbas Mohammadi, Leila Aghaei, Marzieh Sadeghian, Mohammad Sadegh Loeloe,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (3-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Office staff in health networks are exposed to adverse psychosocial factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) associated with improper working posture, which may reduce productivity. This study aimed to examine the relationships between psychosocial factors and WMSDs with productivity among administrative staff of a health network and to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational–ergonomic intervention on these outcomes.
Method: This quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study was conducted in 2024–2025 among 150 administrative employees of the Behbahan health network. Data were collected using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III), the Hersey and Goldsmith ACHIEVE productivity questionnaire, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Working posture was assessed using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) checklist in a random subsample (n=15). A three-month educational–ergonomic intervention (May–July 2025) was delivered in small groups and covered effective communication/teamwork, stress management, motivation/organizational commitment, social support, and ergonomic principles/healthy work behaviors. Data were analyzed in SPSS-26; statistical significance was set at 0.05.
Results: Overall psychosocial score was positively correlated with total productivity (r=0.633, p<0.01). WMSDs showed significant negative correlations with selected productivity dimensions (p<0.05). After the intervention, psychosocial dimensions and overall productivity improved significantly (p<0.001), with a marked increase in total productivity (2.82 to 4.03; Cohen’s d=1.51). WMSDs decreased significantly (5.36 to 4.24; p<0.001). No significant change was observed in ROSA score (p=0.640).
Conclusion: The educational–ergonomic intervention improved workplace psychosocial conditions and reduced musculoskeletal complaints, resulting in higher productivity among administrative staff in the health network. Controlled studies with longer follow-up are recommended.
Fatemeh Hajialikhani, Fatemeh Shahbazi, Neda Mahdavi,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (6-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Handicraft artists in Isfahan Province are at heightened risk of developing upper‑extremity musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of their work, which involves repetitive movements and awkward postures. This study was conducted to examine the influence of hand‑tool characteristics on upper‑extremity musculoskeletal discomfort among these artisans.
Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 191 artisans (70 women and 121 men) working in the fields of enameling, turquoise inlaying, miniature painting, and metal engraving were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, the Quick version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH) questionnaire, and the Comfort QH (CQH) tool comfort questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata version 17, and a significance level of less than 0.05 was considered for all statistical tests.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of the Quick-DASH score were estimated at 28.89 and 4.91, respectively. The highest Quick-DASH score was related to the engravers, with a mean of 30.89 and a standard deviation of 2.91. Work experience was a factor influencing the Quick-DASH score (P = 0.003). The mean CQH questionnaire score for artists was 1.09 with a standard deviation of 0.26. Turquoise inlay workers and engravers had the most discomfort from the tools, with a mean (standard deviation) of 1.04(0.23). No significant correlation was observed between upper limb disability and tool comfort.
Conclusion: The handicraft artists of Isfahan, who routinely perform highly repetitive and fine manual tasks, are exposed to a considerable risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Although no statistically significant association was found between musculoskeletal disability and discomfort related to hand tools, both univariate and multivariate analyses highlighted the substantial impact of hand‑tool comfort on upper‑extremity musculoskeletal discomfort.
Ali Lotfi, Maryam Daneshvar, Mehdi Vosoughi Niri, Parvin Ahmadinezhad, Soheila Derisavi Jarafian, Mohsen Poursadeghiyan,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (6-2026)
Abstract
Background: Dentistry, as a profession characterized by a static nature, repetitive movements, and occupational stress, is considered a high-risk occupation for the development of musculoskeletal disorders and reduced quality of life. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life among dentists.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 on 150 practicing dentists in the city of Ardabil. Samples were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using standard questionnaires, including the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) for musculoskeletal disorders and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26 software with Chi-square and logistic regression tests.
Results: The most commonly affected areas were the lower back (64.7%), neck (60.7%), and shoulders (52.1%). These problems had led to reduced professional activity in 28.7% of the individuals. Quality of life was at a moderate to low level, with the lowest score belonging to the environmental health domain (56.79 out of 100). A significant association was observed between lower quality of life and increased musculoskeletal complaints in some body areas (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a very high and concerning prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and a moderate quality of life among dentists in Ardabil. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the necessity of implementing comprehensive intervention programs to improve workplace ergonomics and enhance the health and quality of life of dentists.
