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  1. Fulltext 'Aches and Pains' of Filipino Migrant Workers in Malaysia: A Profile of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
    Labao HC, Faller EM, Bacayo MFD
    Ann Glob Health, 2018 08 31;84(3):474-480.
    PMID: 30835403 DOI: 10.29024/aogh.2331
    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are alarmingly high among migrant workers in Malaysia. MSDs are the most prevalent occupational-related conditions in most parts of the world affecting function, productivity and overall health-related quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to determine the profile of Filipino migrant workers in Malaysia and their various musculoskeletal complaints.

    METHOD: This study utilized a quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional research design. A total of 60 subjects were randomly selected after passing the study's sampling criteria. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was to used to determine common MSDs affecting the various regions in the body. The Demographic Pofile Sheet was provided to gather a subject's demographic characteristics.

    RESULTS: Filipino migrant workers mostly complain of pain in the low back area (60%) and shoulder pain (60%), followed by pain in the upper back (48.3%) and neck pain (45%) in the last 12 months. Household workers accounting for 73.3% of the subjects commonly complain of pain in the hips/thighs (78.9%), while workers in the service industry commonly complain of knee pain (39.1%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Results imply that Filipino migrant workers have a higher prevalence of shoulder and lower back pain in the last 12 months. Household workers are more susceptible to hip/thigh pain. Interventions focusing on ergonomics policy implementation, education on posture and lifting techniques and physical function is recommended. Further studies should consider the psychological and psychosocial aspects of migrant employment, which are known risk factors for MSDs.

    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  2. Fulltext A cardiovascular mathematical model of graded head-up tilt
    Lim E, Chan GS, Dokos S, Ng SC, Latif LA, Vandenberghe S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2013;8(10):e77357.
    PMID: 24204817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077357
    A lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system has been developed and optimized using experimental data obtained from 13 healthy subjects during graded head-up tilt (HUT) from the supine position to [Formula: see text]. The model includes descriptions of the left and right heart, direct ventricular interaction through the septum and pericardium, the systemic and pulmonary circulations, nonlinear pressure volume relationship of the lower body compartment, arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptors, as well as autoregulatory mechanisms. A number of important features, including the separate effects of arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflexes, and autoregulation in the lower body, as well as diastolic ventricular interaction through the pericardium have been included and tested for their significance. Furthermore, the individual effect of parameter associated with heart failure, including LV and RV contractility, baseline systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, total blood volume, LV diastolic stiffness and reflex gain on HUT response have also been investigated. Our fitted model compares favorably with our experimental measurements and published literature at a range of tilt angles, in terms of both global and regional hemodynamic variables. Compared to the normal condition, a simulated congestive heart failure condition produced a blunted response to HUT with regards to the percentage changes in cardiac output, stroke volume, end diastolic volume and effector response (i.e., heart contractility, venous unstressed volume, systemic vascular resistance and heart rate) with progressive tilting.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture/physiology*
  3. Fulltext A case study on manual handling at an electronic component manufacturing company
    Deros, B.M., Daruis, D.D.I., Ghani, J.A., Saleh, C., Wazir, R.M., Yasim, M.K., et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(10):0-0.
    MyJurnal
    This An Ergonomic hazard often exists in any industry. However, majority of the employees are not aware of practicing good body posture until the MSDs symptoms become permanent and chronic. The main objective of this study is to determine the manual handling problems among workers at an electronic component manufacturing company. The scope of this study focused on the study entire body disorders among workers on electronic manufacturing company using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). A cross sectional study involving observation of the workplace, the work task and the working environment, photographs and videos taken during the observation. Later, a survey questionnaire was given to the respondents to obtain their socio-demography information, work activity and health problems. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was conducted on all respondents to determined REBA scores in different work positions. The study was conducted at an electronic component manufacturing company located in Klang Valley, Selangor. A total of 124 workers were surveyed and REBA assessment was performed on 20 workers at Company X production area. It includes 5 categories of position at Company X, such as:loading steel bar into casing; pushing the steel bar, turning movement while adjusting the steel bar, adjusting steel bar into the loading area, unloading steel bar from casing into the machine. The study found that turning section has the highest MSDs problems regarding manual handling because majority of the respondents in the turning department felt the pain while performing their work. This is due to their job demand, which they need to handle with tools weighing from 200 to 400 kg. The REBA scores showed that17 out of 20 respondents performing turning operations, moving and pushing the steel bar recorded the highest score of 11 or more which are categorize in the very high risk group. The position of pushing and turning steel bar while moving the steel bar has higher risk that contributed to the ergonomics risk factor, which in-turn can contribute to Muscular Skeletal Disorders (MSDs). More detailed investigation and remedial measures should be taken immediately, especially for the workers performing the manual handlings activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  4. Fulltext A fuzzy controller for lower limb exoskeletons during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movement using wearable sensors
    Reza SM, Ahmad N, Choudhury IA, Ghazilla RA
    Sensors (Basel), 2014 Mar 04;14(3):4342-63.
    PMID: 24599193 DOI: 10.3390/s140304342
    Human motion is a daily and rhythmic activity. The exoskeleton concept is a very positive scientific approach for human rehabilitation in case of lower limb impairment. Although the exoskeleton shows potential, it is not yet applied extensively in clinical rehabilitation. In this research, a fuzzy based control algorithm is proposed for lower limb exoskeletons during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movements. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) are acquired from the vastus lateralis muscle using a wearable EMG sensor. The resultant acceleration angle along the z-axis is determined from a kinematics sensor. Twenty volunteers were chosen to perform the experiments. The whole experiment was accomplished in two phases. In the first phase, acceleration angles and EMG data were acquired from the volunteers during both sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit motions. During sit-to-stand movements, the average acceleration angle at activation was 11°-48° and the EMG varied from -0.19 mV to +0.19 mV. On the other hand, during stand-to-sit movements, the average acceleration angle was found to be 57.5°-108° at the activation point and the EMG varied from -0.32 mV to +0.32 mV. In the second phase, a fuzzy controller was designed from the experimental data. The controller was tested and validated with both offline and real time data using LabVIEW.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture/physiology*
  5. Fulltext A new species of wasp-mimicking clearwing moth from Peninsular Malaysia with DNA barcode and behavioural notes (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae)
    Skowron Volponi MA, Volponi P
    Zookeys, 2017.
    PMID: 29133989 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.692.13587
    A new species of clearwing moth,Pyrophleps ellawiSkowron Volponi,sp. n., is described from Peninsular Malaysia. Information on the habitat, time and conditions of occurrence, flight and mud-puddling behaviour, functional morphology, and DNA barcode are also provided. Photographs and a supplementary video from the wild demonstrate the postures and behaviour of this species ofPyrophleps, whose remaining members were described only on the basis of pinned specimens. This is the first record of this genus in Peninsular Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  6. Fulltext A preliminary evaluation of linear control schemes for FES-assisted movements
    Ahmed, M., Huq, M.S., Ibrahim, B.S.K.K., Ahmed, A.
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2018;7(1):211-223.
    MyJurnal
    Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) can be used to revive movement
    functions of the human body to a certain degree which was lost due to
    occurrences of the nervous system disorders resulting from accidents or
    diseases. It can also be employed for gait rehabilitation as well as therapy.
    Control systems could be employed to improve on the FES-induced motion,
    and the closed-loop was targeted due to its advantages. Based on the papers
    reviewed, studies have shown that the linear control schemes are popular for
    movement restoration in the lower limb, but mostly for continuous standing
    contributing to mainly the stance phase. Therefore, a myriad of limitations
    was observed which include: the need for using improved sensors, re-tuning
    for every subject, tests conducted using patient with more straightforward
    ailments, complexity in implementation and most importantly is the issue of
    stability. The swing phase of gait movement and the full walking motion have
    more complex dynamics and coupled with the nature of the plant (human with
    nervous system disorder and the neuromuscular structure) could render the
    linear control method obsolete or unsuitable. Hence, there is a need to
    investigate other techniques such as the nonlinear and intelligent control
    methods.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  7. Fulltext A report on an unusual presentation of autonomic dysreflexia
    Suhaida SS, Engkasan JP
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Dec;67(6):616-7.
    PMID: 23770957 MyJurnal
    A 48-year-old male with complete tetraplegia C6 presented with sweating and flushing of the right half of the face and neck that recurred when lying in supine and left lateral positions. The symptoms subsided immediately upon sitting upright or lying in a right lateral position. The symptoms were associated with occasional mild head discomfort rather than headache and were accompanied by marked elevation of blood pressure, which was 190-200/120-130 mmHg compared to his previous baseline blood pressure of 80-90/50-70 mmHg, and he had a heart rate of 60-70 beats per minute. We believe that post-traumatic syringomyelia, found upon further investigation, was the cause of the Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) in this patient. He was advised to avoid the positions causing the symptoms and the progression of symptoms was monitored regularly. AD might not have been diagnosed in this patient because of the atypical and unusual presentations. Therefore, knowledge and a heightened level of awareness of this possible complication are important when treating individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  8. A state-of-the-art review of foot pressure
    Zulkifli SS, Loh WP
    Foot Ankle Surg, 2020 Jan;26(1):25-32.
    PMID: 30600155 DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2018.12.005
    The science of foot pressure studies the forces acting on the bottom and different regions of the foot along with the pressure exerted on the plantar surface with the interacting surface in contact. The information derived gave impact to human biomechanical assessment on body balance and ergonomics posture during gait. Various experiments designed at generating foot pressure data returns only with limited knowledge generated. Obviously, the procedure for experiment design needs to be properly understood from the foot morphology aspects; healthiness, footwear, surface in contact, load and forces impacts, and the foot sensitivity as well as the specification for the foot pressure. This paper reviews the proper preliminary experimental setups for foot pressure measurement analysis during static or dynamic gait. The strength and limitations of recent devices used and considerable variables are also discussed. The overall review explains that the comfortable natural gait in relation to the aspects of sensitivity, load, time duration, and stability are the standard considerations for plantar pressure experiments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture/physiology*
  9. A study on body movement analysis by the foot slip pattern in a fall
    Kim SH, Kim DW
    Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:1745-1750.
    A fracture, which mostly results from a fall, is fatal for the elderly. A fall occurred when a person cannot maintain the
    body position. Most falls occurred when a person walks on a slippery surface or trips over an object on the ground during
    a gait. Most people try to avoid falls instinctively and fall when their attempt fails. As such, this study investigated the
    difference between two movements- a movement to avoid falls and a forward-falling movement without a fall-avoiding
    movement- by analyzing the body movements of the subjects. A fast-moving fall-guiding device with a pneumatic actuator
    was used to guide falls. The movement of the device could simulate a foot slip that may happen during daily activities.
    A three-axis acceleration sensor and a Bluetooth module were used to avoid disturbing the body movement during a fall
    as a wire sensor or a movement analysis system does.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  10. Fulltext A survey on working postures among Malaysian industrial workers
    Raemy Md. Zein, Noorul Azreen Azis, Isa Halim, Adi Saptari, Seri Rahayu Kamat
    Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2015;12(1):125-131.
    MyJurnal
    Working in a safe working posture is a necessity to enhance occupational health of industrial workers. Poor
    working posture may lead to injuries, discomfort and fatigue to the workers. The objective of this study is to survey the
    postures practised by the Malaysian industrial workers. A questionnaire survey was performed among 282 Malaysian
    industrial workers in 10 different industries. From the answered questionnaire, it was observed that shoulder at chest
    level (30.1%), back in a bent forward (33.3%) and lifting heavy load (44.7%) are the major work postures practised by
    most of industrial workers. This survey identifies that working with shoulder and hand at chest level and back region
    moderately bent forward is the main working posture practice by worker. Workers also reported lifting load below 5 kg
    at the workstation. This survey recommended for industrial workers to be aware of the comfortable working posture
    to avoid injury.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  11. Ageing modifies the fibre angle and biomechanical function of the lumbar extensor muscles
    Singh DK, Bailey M, Lee RY
    Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 2011 Jul;26(6):543-7.
    PMID: 21392870 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2011.02.002
    Ageing is associated with geometrical changes in muscle fascicles that may lead to deteriorations in physical functions. The purpose of this study was to study the effects of ageing on fibre orientation and strength of the lumbar extensor muscles.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  12. Fulltext Amplitude analysis of lower leg muscle in car pedal operation in specific driving posture and duration
    Khamis, N.K., Deros, B.M
    Journal of Engineering and Science Research, 2018;2(3):14-19.
    MyJurnal
    Driving posture is important to determine the comfortability of the driver. The purpose of this study is to investigate the muscle response in car pedal operation. To evaluate this response, 11 volunteers involved in simulated driving experiment using an electrical impedance myography to detect the muscle contraction of the lower leg, particularly at Gastrocnemius medial (GM). The driver requires to perform different pedal actions. The results depict that GM muscle shows different reaction according to pedal actions. According to these results, different degree of ankle angle lead to different muscle response. These findings help us to understand the effect of physical attribute related to muscle response and joint angle on driver during monotonous driving task.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  13. Fulltext An investigation of a dental laboratory worker with chronic low back ache
    Lim, Jac Fang, Richard Avoi, Noraziah Bakri, Leonard Masudal, Iskandar Nonche, Adrian Joseph, et al.
    Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2017;14(2):39-41.
    MyJurnal
    The low back is usually associated with the lumbar spine which supports the entire weight of the upper body and significantly, is vital to the body mobility. Injury to the surrounding soft tissues can cause mild to debilitating symptoms due to muscle strain and ligament sprain. The causes of injury to the lower back are probably due to sudden twisting movement, poor posture position at work and manual handling of heavy objects or with twisting or bending movements while lifting. An Ergonomic Risk Assessment was carried out on a dental laboratory worker who complained of unresolved low back ache after a year on treatment and follow up at the outpatient department of a health clinic. From the various investigative methods used, it was found that the worker in question was placed in a situation that will over time encourage her to develop musculoskeletal disease. Our recommendations for change include immediate awareness and training in ergonomic principles of work and to report all cases so that appropriate action can be taken, reassess the workstation and environment of work, job enrichment, and creating a conducive environment for work. Once the changes have been implemented, a review will be necessary in three months time.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  14. Analysis of crosstalk in the mechanomyographic signals generated by forearm muscles during different wrist postures
    Islam A, Sundaraj K, Ahmad RB, Sundaraj S, Ahamed NU, Ali MA
    Muscle Nerve, 2015 Jun;51(6):899-906.
    PMID: 25204740 DOI: 10.1002/mus.24454
    In this study, we analyzed the crosstalk in mechanomyographic (MMG) signals generated by the extensor digitorum (ED), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscles of the forearm during wrist flexion (WF) and extension (WE) and radial (RD) and ulnar (UD) deviations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture/physiology*
  15. Fulltext Analysis of human standing balance by largest lyapunov exponent
    Liu K, Wang H, Xiao J, Taha Z
    Comput Intell Neurosci, 2015;2015:158478.
    PMID: 25866500 DOI: 10.1155/2015/158478
    The purpose of this research is to analyse the relationship between nonlinear dynamic character and individuals' standing balance by the largest Lyapunov exponent, which is regarded as a metric for assessing standing balance. According to previous study, the largest Lyapunov exponent from centre of pressure time series could not well quantify the human balance ability. In this research, two improvements were made. Firstly, an external stimulus was applied to feet in the form of continuous horizontal sinusoidal motion by a moving platform. Secondly, a multiaccelerometer subsystem was adopted. Twenty healthy volunteers participated in this experiment. A new metric, coordinated largest Lyapunov exponent was proposed, which reflected the relationship of body segments by integrating multidimensional largest Lyapunov exponent values. By using this metric in actual standing performance under sinusoidal stimulus, an obvious relationship between the new metric and the actual balance ability was found in the majority of the subjects. These results show that the sinusoidal stimulus can make human balance characteristics more obvious, which is beneficial to assess balance, and balance is determined by the ability of coordinating all body segments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture/physiology*
  16. Fulltext Analysis the influence of heart rate and muscle activity towards muscle fatique in layup workers
    Noor'Ain Azizan, Seri Rahayu Kamat, Nur Syafiqah Rayme, Ruzy Haryati Hambali
    Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 2018;11(1):99-107.
    MyJurnal
    Repetitive movement can lead to the pain muscle, nerves, and tendons that cause by
    repetitive overuse of working task. The muscle will fatigue due to; repetitive
    movement, force that been applied, posture during working and duration of working.
    The stress level during working can influent the energy performance usage during
    working. The aim of this paper is to analyse the influence of heart rate and muscle
    activity of workers in composite manufacturing towards muscle fatigue. The data was
    collected for a worker in hand layup department and the Qualitative method was used
    in a way to investigate the working load and level of pain received by their body. Then,
    the Qualitative data was sorted and the respondent proceeded for a Quantitative
    method which involves muscle activity analysis and heart rate analysis. The tools that
    were used to conduct these experiments were surface electromyography (sEMG),
    Wristwatch with chest strap and perceived stress scale (PSS). The experimentation
    used to calculate the average reading of heart rate and muscle activity during working
    and detect the duration the muscle to start fatigue. Moreover, this paper analysed the
    relationship between heart rate and muscle activity through the duration of working.
    As an overall finding of this research, it was shown that the heart rate of the workers
    influence the muscle activity of workers and has high potential relationship to the
    fatigue of muscles of the workers in the layup department.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  17. Fulltext Anatomy of musculoskeletal system in the light of the Qur’an and Hadith.
    Nurul Asyiqin Yusof, Che Anuar Che Mohamad, Ahmad Nizam Hassan
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(101):97-103.
    MyJurnal
    The integration of human knowledge between the medical and health care sciences with revealed knowledge was established since the era of Al-Razi (Rhazes), Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), AlZahrawi (Albucasis) and others. However, the glorious period of Islamic medicine gradually declined after the period of 'Abbasiyyah and 'Uthmaniyyah. At present, many scholars tend to separate the modern medicine and the revealed knowledge, resulting in the disconnection between these two fields. There is little to suggest the presence of reference collections that integrate the Qur’an and Hadith with medicine. This review aimed to fill that gap. Relevant Qur’anic verses and authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him; henceforth PBUH) in relation to a specific field in medicine i.e. the anatomy of human musculoskeletal system was extracted. The musculoskeletal system is unique in which it forms the ‘backbone’ of normal human posture. The system plays a vital role in maintaining human daily activities. From this review, it is noted that many Qur’anic verses and Hadith relate to the musculoskeletal system. A few examples include the number human joints and its relationship with the daily prayers (Salah), the daily charitable act recommended to all Muslim, the coccyx bone that is indestructible and shall be the source for human resurrection during the hereafter, and others. These examples necessitate for a more in-depth analysis to enlighten the revealed knowledge from the medical perspective.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  18. Fulltext Anthropometrics evaluation of children between genders
    Hanani Yuhaniz, Asnawi Seraila, Siti Rafedah Abdul Karim, Suhaimi Muhammed, Abdul Hamid Saleh
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(101):22-25.
    MyJurnal
    In developing ergonomically sound furniture, there is a need in evaluating anthropometrics from various aspect such as gender differences. The objectives of this study was to evaluate anthropometrics differences between genders of children in Malaysia in order to determine the need in having specified chairs for each gender. Represented by four states in Malaysia, a total of 2400 children were involved in the study. A custom made measurer and an anthropometer were used to measure the subjects. Six body measurements, which are, sitting shoulder height, sitting subscapular height, shoulder breadth, buttock popliteal length, popliteal height and hip width were documented for evaluation. From this study, there were some significant differences on some body parts while other body parts were similar to male and female. Therefore, chairs are needed to be made according to the suitability of both gender.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
  19. Assessing the Flexibility of the Proximal Thoracic Segments Above the "Potential Upper Instrumented Vertebra" Using the Cervical Supine Side Bending Radiographs in Lenke 1 and 2 Curves for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients
    Chan CYW, Chiu CK, Kwan MK
    Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2016 Aug 15;41(16):E973-E980.
    PMID: 26909833 DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001516
    STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the proximal thoracic (PT) flexibility and its compensatory ability above the "potential UIV."

    SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Shoulder and neck imbalance can be caused by overcorrection of the main thoracic (MT) curve due to inability of PT segment to compensate.

    METHODS: Cervical supine side bending (CSB) radiographs of 100 Lenke 1 and 2 patients were studied. We further stratified Lenke 1 curves into Lenke 1-ve: PT side bending (PTSB) 80.0% of cases of the PT segment were unable to compensate at T3-T6. In Lenke 1+ve curves, 78.4% were unable to compensate at T6, followed by T5 (75.7%), T4 (73.0%), T3 (59.5%), T2 (27.0%), and T1 (21.6%). In Lenke 1-ve curves, 36.4% of cases were unable to compensate at T6, followed by T5 (45.5%), T4 (45.5%), T3 (30.3%), T2 (21.2%), and T1 (15.2%). A significant difference between Lenke 1-ve and Lenke 1+ve was observed from T3 to T6. The difference between Lenke 1+ve and Lenke 2 curves was significant only at T2.

    CONCLUSION: The compensation ability and the flexibility of the PT segments of Lenke 1-ve and Lenke 1+ve curves were different. Lenke 1+ve curves demonstrated similar characteristics to Lenke 2 curves.

    LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

    Matched MeSH terms: Posture/physiology
  20. Fulltext Assessing the reliability of subjective evaluation for comfortable driving postures
    Darliana Mohamad, Dian Darina Indah Daruis, Baba Md Deros, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(20):14-19.
    MyJurnal
    Drivers’ posture is one of the factors that can contribute to driving discomfort. Subjective evaluation is needed in determining the driving discomfort problem. The purpose of this study is to examine the reliability of different driving postures that may lead to drivers’ discomfort. A total of thirty-four healthy Malaysian drivers were involved in this study. Respondents were required to sit on the driver’s seat with the required adjustments of three different postures and fill-in the given subjective evaluation form. The same procedure was repeated for each respondent after three days for purpose of conducting test retest evaluation. The reliability statistical analysis result shows the study was reliable and valid with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient equal to 0.827. The comparison means that ANOVA analysis also shows significance difference between these three groups of postures for all measured parameters. In conclusion, the result from this study shows the subjective evaluation conducted is reliable and can be used for drivers’ posture discomfort study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Posture
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