Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Congress of the International Ergonomics Association

IEA 2018: Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) pp 351–359Cite as

Reducing Musculoskeletal Pains of Operating Theatre Nurses

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 820))

Abstract

Musculoskeletal pains top the list of the most common work-related ailments in Austria. In 2016, they were the second-leading cause for taking sick leave. The Austrian Employee Protection Strategy for 2013–2020 aims to reduce work-related health risks. The first goal of the presented monocentric, randomised, con-trolled study was to survey the intensity and regional distribution of musculoskeletal pain of operating theatre nurses. Secondly, it was to investigate the effectiveness of a combined programme consisting of awareness training and an exercise programme for reducing pain. The intervention group received a two-stage intervention, and the control group received no intervention. The first stage of the intervention was an awareness training. The second stage was a specific corrective exercise. The musculoskeletal pain was recorded with a modified version of the Nordic questionnaire at three different times. Fifty-six individuals took part in the programme. The two most common pain areas reported by all respondents were the shoulder and neck region with an average pain level of 5.62 (SD = 3.03) and the lumbar region of the spine with an average pain level of 5.54 (SD = 3.14). The awareness training led to a 4% (1.1 points) increase in the reported pain level across all pain areas compared with the control group. The pain relief programme led to a 16% (4.9 points) decrease in pain levels across all pain areas. In conclusion, a programme based on awareness training and corrective exercises can increase awareness of pain during the occupational activities of operating theatre nurses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Arbeitsinspektorat: Arbeitsbedingte Erkrankungen. https://www.arbeitsinspektion.gv.at/inspektorat/Gesundheit_im_Betrieb/arbeitsbedingte_Erkrankungen/. Accessed 8 Dec 2017

  2. Leoni T, Uhl A (2016) Fehlzeitenreport. Krankheits- und unfallbedingte Fehlzeiten in Österreich. http://www.hauptverband.at/cdscontent/load?contentid=10008.637786&version=1487075768. Accessed 8 Dec 2017

  3. Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection: Occupational Safety and Health Strategy. Structures, processes and tasks. https://www.arbeitsinspektion.gv.at/inspektorat/Uebergreifende_Themen/ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzstrategie/. Accessed 8 Dec 2017

  4. Baird CL, Sands L (2004) A pilot study of the effectiveness of guided imagery with progressive muscle relaxation to reduce chronic pain and mobility difficulties of osteoarthritis. Pain Manag Nurs Official J Am Soc Pain Manag Nurs 5(3):97–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Halim I, Arep H, Kamat SR, Abdullah R, Omar AR, Ismail AR (2014) Development of a decision support system for analysis and solutions of prolonged standing in the workplace. Saf Health Work 5(2):97–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Halim I, Omar AR (2012) Development of prolonged standing strain index to quantify risk levels of standing jobs. Int J Occup Saf Ergon JOSE 18(1):85–96

    Google Scholar 

  7. Halim I, Omar AR, Saman AM, Othman I (2012) Assessment of muscle fatigue associated with prolonged standing in the workplace. Saf Health work 3(1):31–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Messing K, Tissot F, Stock S (2008) Distal lower-extremity pain and work postures in the Quebec population. Am J Public Health 98(4):705–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Beyer R, Kongsgaard M, Hougs Kjær B, Øhlenschlæger T, Kjær M, Magnusson SP (2015) Heavy slow resistance versus eccentric training as treatment for achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med 43(7):1704–1711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Rompe JD, Nafe B, Furia JP, Maffulli N (2007) Eccentric loading, shock-wave treatment, or a wait-and-see policy for tendinopathy of the main body of tendo Achillis: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med 35(3):374–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Rompe JD, Furia J, Maffulli N (2008) Eccentric loading compared with shock wave treatment for chronic insertional achilles tendinopathy. A randomized, controlled trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 90(1):52–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Rompe JD, Furia J, Maffulli N (2009) Eccentric loading versus eccentric loading plus shock-wave treatment for midportion achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med 37(3):463–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Silbernagel KG, Thomeé R, Eriksson BI, Karlsson J (2007) Continued sports activity, using a pain-monitoring model, during rehabilitation in patients with Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled study. Am J Sports Med 35(6):897–906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Stevens M, Tan C-W (2014) Effectiveness of the Alfredson protocol compared with a lower repetition-volume protocol for midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 44(2):59–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Yu J, Park D, Lee G (2013) Effect of eccentric strengthening on pain, muscle strength, endurance, and functional fitness factors in male patients with achilles tendinopathy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 92(1):68–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Hagen EM, Eriksen HR, Ursin H (2000) Does early intervention with a light mobilization program reduce long-term sick leave for low back pain? Spine 25(15):1973–1976

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hlobil H, Staal JB, Twisk J, Köke A, Ariëns G, Smid T, van Mechelen W (2005) The effects of a graded activity intervention for low back pain in occupational health on sick leave, functional status and pain: 12-month results of a randomized controlled trial. J Occup Rehabil 15(4):569–580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lindström I, Öhlund C, Eek C, Wallin L, Peterson L-E, Fordyce WE, Nachemson AL (1992) The effect of graded activity on patients with subacute low back pain: a randomized prospective clinical study with an operant-conditioning behavioral approach. Phys Ther 72(4):279–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Staal JB, Hlobil H, Twisk JWR, Smid T, Köke AJA, van Mechelen W (2004) Graded activity for low back pain in occupational health care. Ann Intern Med 140(2):77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Verbeek JH, van der Weide WE, van Dijk FJ (2002) Early occupational health management of patients with back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Spine 27(17):1844–1851 discussion 1851

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Peterson M, Butler S, Eriksson M, Svärdsudd K (2014) A randomized controlled trial of eccentric vs. concentric graded exercise in chronic tennis elbow (lateral elbow tendinopathy). Clin Rehabil 28(9):862–872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Stasinopoulos D, Stasinopoulos I, Pantelis M, Stasinopoulou K (2010) Comparison of effects of a home exercise programme and a supervised exercise programme for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy. Br J Sports Med 44(8):579–583

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Peterson M, Butler S, Eriksson M, Svärdsudd K (2011) A randomized controlled trial of exercise versus wait-list in chronic tennis elbow (lateral epicondylosis). Upsala J Med Sci 116(4):269–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Pedersen MT, Andersen CH, Zebis MK, Sjøgaard G, Andersen LL (2013) Implementation of specific strength training among industrial laboratory technicians: long-term effects on back, neck and upper extremity pain. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 14:287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Martinez-Silvestrini JA, Newcomer KL, Gay RE, Schaefer MP, Kortebein P, Arendt KW (2005) Chronic lateral epicondylitis: comparative effectiveness of a home exercise program including stretching alone versus stretching supplemented with eccentric or concentric strengthening. J Hand Therapy Official J Am Soc Hand Therapists 18(4):411–419 quiz 420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Yagci G, Yakut Y, Simsek E (2018) The effects of exercise on perception of verticality in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Physiotherapy Theory Pract 34(8):579–588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Gard G (2005) Body awareness therapy for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain Disabil Rehabil 27(12):725–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Malmgren-Olsson E-B, Armelius B-A, Armelius K (2001) A comparative outcome study of body awareness therapy, feldenkrais, and conventional physiotherapy for patients with nonspecific musculoskeletal disorders: changes in psychological symptoms, pain, and self-image. Physiotherapy Theory Pract 17(2):77–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Skjaerven LH, Kristoffersen K, Gard G (2010) How can movement quality be promoted in clinical practice? A phenomenological study of physical therapist experts. Phys Ther 90(10):1479–1492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Wilson F, Gormley J, Hussey J (2011) Exercise therapy in the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Wiley, West Sussex

    Book  Google Scholar 

  31. Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sørensen F, Andersson G, Jørgensen K (1987) Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon 18(3):233–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Carlsson AM (1983) Assessment of chronic pain. I. Aspects of the reliability and validity of the visual analogue scale. Pain 16(1):87–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Breivik H, Borchgrevink PC, Allen SM, Rosseland LA, Romundstad L, Hals EKB, Kvarstein G, Stubhaug A (2008) Assessment of pain. Br J Anaesth 101(1):17–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Jensen MP (2011) Measuring pain behavior. In: Jensen MP (ed) The pain stethoscope: a clinician’s guide to measuring pain. Springer Healthcare, Tarporley, pp 19–21

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  35. Mohr DC, Beutler LE, Engle D, Shoham-Salomon V, Bergan J, Kaszniak AW, Yost EB (1990) Identification of patients at risk for nonresponse and negative outcome in psychotherapy. J Consult Clin Psychol 58(5):622–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bachelor Program Physiotherapy, University of Applied Science for Health Professions Upper Austria, Paula-Scherleitner-Weg 3, 4020, Linz, Austria

    Peter Hoppe, Anna Gabriel, Tanja Holzmann & Iris Frenner

  2. Kepler University Hospital Med Campus III, Krankenhausstraße 9, 4020, Linz, Austria

    Brigitte König & Brigitte Eichinger

  3. Department Sport and Health, City Government, Hauptstr. 1-5, 4020, Linz, Austria

    Brigitte Eichinger

  4. Department Health Economics, The Upper Austrian Regional Health Insurance, Gruberstr. 77, 4020, Linz, Austria

    Karl Schableger

Authors
  1. Peter Hoppe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Karl Schableger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brigitte König
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Brigitte Eichinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anna Gabriel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Tanja Holzmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Iris Frenner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Hoppe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Republic of San Marino, San Marino, San Marino

    Sebastiano Bagnara

  2. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Riccardo Tartaglia

  3. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Sara Albolino

  4. Fraunhofer FKIE, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Thomas Alexander

  5. International Ergonomics Association, Tokyo, Japan

    Yushi Fujita

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Hoppe, P. et al. (2019). Reducing Musculoskeletal Pains of Operating Theatre Nurses. In: Bagnara, S., Tartaglia, R., Albolino, S., Alexander, T., Fujita, Y. (eds) Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018). IEA 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 820. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96083-8_47

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation