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Fulltext Personal and psychosocial risk factor for low back pain among automotive manual handling workers in Selangor, Malaysia

Noor Sazarina Mad Isa @ Yahya, Baba Md Deros, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail, Mazrura Sahani

Int J Public Health Res, 2014;4(1):412-418.
MyJurnal

Introduction It is well known that low back pain among working population is a global
problem throughout the world. However, the current situation of occupational
low back pain in Malaysia is still vague due to limited number of studies
conducted locally.

Objective A cross sectional study was conducted among three automotive industry
workers in Selangor, Malaysia from October 2010 to April 2011.
Methods This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain
among automotive industry workers performing manual material handling
tasks using self-administered questionnaire survey.

Results A modified Standardised Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess low back
pain problem, to obtain personal and psychosocial risk factors information.
The prevalence of low back pain showed increment in the point prevalence of
57.9%, 49.5%, and 35.1 % for 12 months, one month, and of 7 days
respectively. Working hour, frequency of overtime, stress at work, work
pace, and faster movement were found to be significantly associated with the
12 months prevalence for low back pain.

Conclusions This finding indicates that psychosocial risk factors are associated to the
occurrence of low back pain.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext Low back pain and associated risk factors among health science undergraduates

Mohd Nordin NA, Ajit Singh DK, Lim K

Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:423-428.

Identification of associated risk factors is important to enable successful implementation of low back pain prevention strategies. To date, there is limited research data on back pain among young adults in Malaysia despite an increasing incidence of this disabling condition worldwide. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the incidence of low back pain (LBP) and associated factors among health science undergraduates. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to full time students of a main public university. One hundred and forty undergraduates; mean age 21.4±1.3 years, 70% female, 60% in year 3 of study, participated in the survey. The results showed that 31% spent between 6 and 8 h and another 31% spent more than 9 h sitting in a day. Twelve percent of the undergraduates rated their fitness level as ‘poor’. The incidence of LBP was 40.3% among the undergraduates. LBP incidence was associated with age (X2=12.1, p=0.007), years of study (X2=8.7, p=0.03), self-rated physical fitness (X2=7.0, p=0.02) and hours spent sitting (X2 =8.7, p=0.03). Gender, body mass index and hours spent in sports and physical activity were not associated with LBP. The findings from this study demonstrate that physical fitness and sitting duration is associated with low back pain among health science undergraduates. Health science undergraduates should improve their physical fitness, practice frequent breaks and stretching during sitting. This will help to minimize LBP related to decreased fitness levels and prolonged sitting.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain*
Correlates of low back pain among Filipino caregivers of children with disability: A preliminary study

Zamora MAL, Labao HC

Enferm Clin, 2020 02;30 Suppl 1:120-123.
PMID: 32115158 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.09.033

The caregiver's role in rearing a child with disability requires huge physical demands which may lead to development of musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain (LBP). This study aims to determine the factors associated with low back pain among caregivers of children with disability. A quantitative, correlational research design was used. Data were gathered among caregivers of children with disabilities enrolled in a specialized educational and pediatric rehabilitation unit in Valenzuela City. A personal information sheet was used to gather relevant demographic data while Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to measure low back pain and disability. Pearson's correlation and Chi-square were used to determine the relationship and association among demographic factors and low back pain and disability. Majority of the respondents are mothers (59.09%) caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (31.82%), married (68.18%), and living in an extended family (36.36%). Chi-squared revealed a statistically significant association between caregivers' gender (p=0.003), relationship to child (p=0.000), and marital status (p=0.000) to low back pain and disability. Results imply that married mothers who are the primary caregivers to children with disability are prone to develop low back pain and disability. Preventive and restorative physical interventions, such as caring rotation, is recommended. Future studies should focus on other factors such as psychosocial, physical, and emotional aspects of low back pain and disability among caregivers of children with disability.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain*
Fulltext Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Low Back Among Health Care Providers in a District Hospital

Wong, T.S., Teo, N., Kyaw, M.).

Malays Orthop J, 2010;4(2):23-28.
MyJurnal

Study design: A cross-sectional study among health care providers working at one hospital. Objective: To investigate the prevalence, the consequences and the risk factors associated with low back pain (LBP) among hospital staff. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 931 health care providers who answered a pre-established questionnaire including 30 items in two languages. Results: The cumulative life-prevalence of LBP was 72.5% and the yearly prevalence was 56.9%. Chronic LBP prevalence was noted 5.1% of the cases. Treatment was sought in 34.1% of LBP sufferers and 7.3% required sick leave or absence from work due to LBP. Risk factors associated with LBP were professional categories, bad body posture, lifting objects or patients and the increased levels of lifting, levels of job satisfaction and stressful job demands. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of LBP among hospital staff, resulting in significant medical and socio-professional consequences. Many risk factors were identified that would necessitate multidisciplinary involvement to reduce the LBP incidence and related costs.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Low back pain

Khan SA

Family Practitioner, 1977;2:92-93.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Development of an Immunodiagnostic Test for Screening Human Brucellosis Cases Using the Whole-Cell Antigens of Brucella abortus

Bhartiya NM, Husain AA, Daginawala HF, Singh L, Kashyap RS

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Dec;27(6):15-26.
PMID: 33447131 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.6.3

Background: Human brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease of public health and often remains neglected owing to lack of sensitive and efficient diagnostic methods. This study evaluates diagnostic utility of in-house designed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole-cell antigens of Brucella abortus (B. abortus) S19 against the commercially available kits.
Methods: A prospective cohort study involving different populations within the Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra, India was conducted through camps organised from May 2009 to October 2015. A total of 568 serum samples were collected from high-risk people recruited as study cohorts based on inclusion criteria, additional risk factors and clinical symptoms. Samples were evaluated by indirect ELISA using the whole-cell antigens of B. abortus. The results were compared with the commercially available IgG detection ELISA kit to ascertain the specificity and sensitivity of the developed test.
Results: Fever, body ache, joint pain, lower back pain, loss of appetite and weight loss were major symptoms associated with the disease. With the cut-off of > 0.8, the positivity of brucellosis infection was at 12.32% (70/568) compared to 9.33% (53/568) as detected by the commercial kit. The in-house developed ELISA method yielded a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 99.18% as compared to the commercial kits (sensitivity -80.30% and specificity -99.6%).
Discussion: The B. abortus S19-derived whole-cell protein-based ELISA is rapid and cost-effective and can be used for screening brucellosis infection in lieu of the commercially available ELISA kits.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext Effectiveness of Strengthening Exercises for the Elderly with Low Back Pain to Improve Symptoms and Functions: A Systematic Review

Ishak NA, Zahari Z, Justine M

Scientifica (Cairo), 2016;2016:3230427.
PMID: 27293970 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3230427

Objective. To determine the effect of strengthening exercises for older people with low back pain (LBP). Methods. This study is a systematic review of experimental study which evaluated the evidence regarding exercises for older people with LBP by using EBSCO Academic Search Premier, EBSCO EconLit, Science Direct, PUBMED, and PEDro from 2006 to 2016. Search strategy for each database was conducted by using keywords such as "low back pain", "older people", and "strengthening exercise". Boolean operators were used to combine keywords and manual exclusion was conducted to verify studies which met the inclusion criteria. The articles reviewed were evaluated and critically appraised by using PEDro scale and SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. Results. Three articles were found regarding strengthening exercise for older people with LBP whereas one study was conducted on multicomponent exercise. The mean, standard deviation, and variance of the PEDro score of all the studies were 5.67, 2.33, and 1.528, respectively. Overall, the qualities of all studies reviewed were fair. Two articles showed significant results when compared to control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Strengthening exercise is a beneficial treatment for older people with LBP in reducing pain intensity, disability, and improved functional performances.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain*
The effectiveness of patient education in improving pain, disability and quality of life among older people with low back pain: A systematic review

Zahari Z, Ishak A, Justine M

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2020;33(2):245-254.
PMID: 31356191 DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181305

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to gain an overview of patient education and the effects of patient education for older people with low back pain (LBP).
METHODS: The search strategies were performed via EBSCO MEDLINE, EBSCO CINAHL, Science Direct, PubMed, and PEDro databases from 2006 to 2016. The keywords "patient education", "low back pain", "elderly", "older adults", "older persons" and "older people" were used during the literature search. Boolean operators were used to expand or limit the searching scope and manual exclusion was performed to choose articles eligible for this study.
RESULTS: A total of 2799 articles were retrieved but only five articles were related with patient education for older people with LBP. Findings suggest that patient education for older people may differ in terms of its contents such as health education, self-management, video education, and postural education. The high methodological quality of the studies revealed that patient education showed improvement in terms of pain, disability and quality of life among older people with LBP.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient education improved pain and had positive effects on disability and quality of life among older people with LBP. However, due to the limited number of RCTs more studies are needed to provide evidence for its effectiveness.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain/diagnosis; Low Back Pain/psychology; Low Back Pain/therapy*
Fulltext Kinesiophobia, Pain, Muscle Functions, and Functional Performances among Older Persons with Low Back Pain

Ishak NA, Zahari Z, Justine M

Pain Res Treat, 2017;2017:3489617.
PMID: 28634547 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3489617

OBJECTIVES: This study aims (1) to determine the association between kinesiophobia and pain, muscle functions, and functional performances and (2) to determine whether kinesiophobia predicts pain, muscle functions, and functional performance among older persons with low back pain (LBP).
METHODS: This is a correlational study, involving 63 institutionalized older persons (age = 70.98 ± 7.90 years) diagnosed with LBP. Anthropometric characteristics (BMI) and functional performances (lower limb function, balance and mobility, and hand grip strength) were measured. Muscle strength (abdominal and back muscle strength) was assessed using the Baseline® Mechanical Push/Pull Dynamometer, while muscle control (transverse abdominus and multifidus) was measured by using the Pressure Biofeedback Unit. The pain intensity and the level of kinesiophobia were measured using Numerical Rating Scale and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, respectively. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regressions.
RESULTS: No significant correlations were found between kinesiophobia and pain and muscle functions (all p > 0.05). Kinesiophobia was significantly correlated with mobility and balance (p = 0.038, r = 0.263). Regressions analysis showed that kinesiophobia was a significant predictor of mobility and balance (p = 0.038).
CONCLUSION: We can conclude that kinesiophobia predicted mobility and balance in older persons with LBP. Kinesiophobia should be continuously assessed in clinical settings to recognize the obstacles that may affect patient's compliance towards a rehabilitation program in older persons with LBP.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain*
Fulltext Backcare awareness among nurses in Hospital Kota Kinabalu

Ayiesah, R., Ismail, D.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2007;13(1):11-15.
MyJurnal

Low back pain (LBP) is a major medical and social problem associated with disability and work absenteeism. Since the effect on unawareness on back care among hospital staff may affect the smooth running of the services to the public and patients, it is the objective of this study to identified the awareness of back care among nurses so that preventive measures can be taken. About 80 nurses working in the outpatient clinic was survey using self addressed questionnaires which were adapted from Zutphen Physical Activity Questionnaire at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu. Demographic analysis demonstrated that among the eighty nurses that responded, 37.5% (n=30) are Malays, 25% (n=25) Chinese and 37.5% (n=30) ( to include other Sabahan tribes). Their age group varies between 23 to 55 years of age. A total of 72 nurses, both agreed (45%,n=36) and strongly agreed (45%,n=36) that understanding good postures is important to prevent LBP. They felt strongly (55%, n=44) about the importance of correct lifting techniques, and having a well-designed workplace (50%,n=40). Regarding factors that cause LBP, 55% (n=44) of them strongly agreed that good lifting technique can prevent LBP while 56 (70%) agreed that prolong sitting doing computer work can cause LBP. About 60% (n=48) also agreed that LBP can cause stress and that 45% (n=36) of them strongly agreed that being overweight than average can worsen LBP. However, 40% (n=32) provide a neutral answer to whether height have any influence on LBP while 50% (n=40) agreed that weak back muscles can worsen the backache further. However, 45% (n=36) agreed that games that involved back movement have high risks and 55% (n=44) agreed that swimming helps to strengthen back muscle. The environmental factors addresses issues of footwear and soft mattress where 60%(n=48) agreed while 15%(n=12) strongly agreed that good footware and appropriate use of soft mattresses 60% (n=48) can prevent LBP. This study have demonstrated that the nurses that participated had a clear understanding and knowledge on back care even though a wider study need to be carried out to ensure validity of study finding.

Study site:outpatient clinic, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext Musculoskeletal symptoms risk factors and postural risk analysis of pineapple plantation workers in Johor

Nur Hidayah Rani, Emilia Zainal Abidin, Noor Afifah Ya'acob, Karmegam Karuppiah, Irniza Rasdi

Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2016;13(1):17-26.
MyJurnal

Pineapple plantation workers are exposed to strenuous physical activities. This study aims to determine the prevalence
of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS), analyse the body postural risks related to work tasks and identify relevant MSS risk factors
among pineapple plantation workers. This was a cross-sectional study performed at a pineapple plantation in Johor in 2016. MSS,
information on socio-demographic background and occupational history were collected via structured questionnaires. Identification
and risk assessment of ergonomic hazard and postural risk analysis were performed for a subset of workers. Data were entered into
statistical software and analyse according to relevant objectives. A total of 108 workers participated in this study. The prevalence
of MSS was 87.0% and was highest for the lower back (64.8%). In terms of ergonomic hazards, Harvesting were categorised as a
task with the highest risk. Harvesting was also the task with the highest postural risk. From the multivariate analysis, lower back
pain is mainly contributed by a working tenure of 10 to 25 years (Odds Ratio, OR: 3.90; 95% Confidence Interval, CI 1.05-14.4) and
more than 25 years (OR: 7.45 (95% CI 1.26 to 44.0). Workers who worked more than 7-hour daily have a higher risk for reporting
lower back pain. Pineapple plantation workers are exposed to excessive bending, twisting and carrying of heavy loads that may be
linked to MSS. Effective preventive strategies are required to address MSS in this population in order to minimize risk for subsequent
musculoskeletal disorders.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext The surgical outcome of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

Razak MA, Ong KP, Hyzan Y

Med J Malaysia, 1998 Sep;53 Suppl A:12-21.
PMID: 10968178

A retrospective study was conducted to assess the surgical outcomes of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Twenty-five patients treated with decompressive surgery in Hospital Kuala Lumpur between January 1992 and August 1996 were reviewed. There were seven males and eighteen females. The average age was 51 years old (range 33 to 64 years old). The diagnosis of degenerative spinal stenosis was made based on the clinical features and was confirmed by radiographic findings. Ninety two percent of the patients had moderate to severe symptoms preoperatively. The types of surgery consisted of laminectomy (n = 15), laminotomy (n = 10), and laminoplasty (n = 1). The surgical outcomes were assessed based on patients' own assessment of symptoms relieved and functional returned to daily activities at least six months after the surgery. The average follow-up period was fifteen months (range 6 months to 42 months). Of these twenty-five patients, 4 (16%) claimed to have excellent results, 11 (44%) had good results, 8 (32%) reported fair, and 2 (8%) judged their surgical treatment as poor with little or no use. There was no anaesthetic, cardiovascular, or thromboembolic complications seen in this study. Four patients had recurrent claudication, one demonstrated localised arachnoiditis, and two had lumbar instability which were not documented preoperatively. One patient had L4 nerve root avulsion with dura torn and another patient had superficial wound infection. We concluded in this study that decompressive surgery offers satisfactory results in patients with moderate to severe degenerative spinal stenosis in short term follow-up.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain/etiology
Fulltext A Survey on Daily Activity Inclination and Health Complaints among Urban Youth in Malaysia

Chen AH, Rosli SA, Hovis JK

J Environ Public Health, 2020;2020:9793425.
PMID: 33376494 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9793425

Environmental influence is one of the attributing factors for health status. Chronic interaction with electronic display technology and lack of outdoor activities might lead to health issues. Given the concerns about the digital impact on lifestyle and health challenges, we aimed to investigate the daily activity inclination and health complaints among the Malaysian youth. A self-administered questionnaire covering lifestyle and health challenges was completed by 220 youths aged between 16 and 25. There were a total of 22 questions. Seven questions inspected the patterns of indoor and outdoor activities. Fifteen questions focused on the visual and musculoskeletal symptoms linked to both mental and physical health. The total time spent indoors (15.0 ± 5.4 hours/day) was significantly higher than that spent outdoors (2.5 ± 2.6 hours/day) (t = 39.01, p < 0.05). Total time engrossed in sedentary activities (13.0 ± 4.5 hours/day) was significantly higher than that in nonsedentary activities (4.5 ± 3.8 hours/day) comprised of indoor sports and any outdoor engagements (t = 27.10, p < 0.05). The total time spent on electronic related activities (9.5 ± 3.7 hours/day) was were higher than time spent on printed materials (3.4 ± 1.6 hours/day) (t = 26.01, p < 0.05). The association of sedentary activities was positive in relation to tired eyes (χ2 = 17.58, p < 0.05), sensitivity to bright light (χ2 = 12.10, p < 0.05), and neck pain (χ2 = 17.27, p < 0.05) but negative in relation to lower back pain (χ2 = 8.81, p < 0.05). Our youth spent more time in building and engaged in sedentary activities, predominantly electronic usage. The health-related symptoms, both visual and musculoskeletal symptoms, displayed a positive association with a sedentary lifestyle and a negative association with in-building time.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext Association of psychological distress and work psychosocial factors with self-reported musculoskeletal pain among secondary school teachers in Malaysia

Zamri EN, Moy FM, Hoe VC

PLoS One, 2017;12(2):e0172195.
PMID: 28234933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172195

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is common among teachers. Work-related psychosocial factors are found to be associated with the development of musculoskeletal pain, however psychological distress may also play an important role.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of self-reported low back pain (LBP), and neck and/or shoulder pain (NSP) among secondary school teachers; and to evaluate the association of LBP and NSP with psychological distress and work-related psychosocial factors.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among teachers in the state of Penang, Malaysia. The participants were recruited via a two stage sampling method. Information on demographic, psychological distress, work-related psychosocial factors, and musculoskeletal pain (LBP and NSP) in the past 12 months was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR) for the associations between psychological distress and work-related psychosocial factors with LBP and NSP.
RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported LBP and NSP among 1482 teachers in the past 12 months was 48.0% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 45.2%, 50.9%) and 60.1% (95% CI 57.4%, 62.9%) respectively. From the multivariate analysis, self-reported LBP was associated with teachers who reported severe to extremely severe depression (PR: 1.71, 95% CI 1.25, 2.32), severe to extremely severe anxiety (1.46, 95% CI 1.22, 1.75), high psychological job demand (1.29, 95% CI 1.06, 1.57), low skill discretion (1.28, 95% CI 1.13, 1.47) and poorer mental health (0.98, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99). Self-reported NSP was associated with mild to moderate anxiety (1.18, 95% CI 1.06, 1.33), severe to extremely severe anxiety (1.25, 95% CI 1.09, 1.43), low supervisory support (1.13, 95% CI 1.03, 1.25) and poorer mental health (0.98, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99).
CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported LBP and NSP were common among secondary school teachers. Interventions targeting psychological distress and work-related psychosocial characteristics may reduce musculoskeletal pain among school teachers.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext Back pain and associated factors among rubber tappers in Pahang. [Sakit belakang dan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhinya dikalangan penoreh getah di Pahang.]

Abu Hassan Shaari, Hasbullah Abdul Rahman

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2003;3(1):48-51.
MyJurnal

Backache is a common health problem associated with non ergonomic working environment. A cross sectional study amongst the rubber tappers was conducted to determine the prevalence of low back pain and ergonomic factors related to it. The respondents were 116 male rubber tappers from Felda scheme in the state of Pahang who were selected by random sampling. The result showed prevalence of low back pain was 60.3% and has significant association with history of backache (p<0.05). Rubber tappers were 6 times more higher to develop low back pain if they had history of backache (Odd Ratio =6.24, 95% CI). There were no significant association between socio-demographic factors and low back pain. Ergonomic factors such as bending during tapping, respondents’ height and duration of the tapping showed no significant association with low back pain. Further study should be done in ergonomic aspect to explore the problem.
Key words: Low back pain, rubber tapper, Felda, ergonomic.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain*
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: Low Back Pain
Call center ergonomics issues: A case study

Hari Krishnan, T.

Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2012;9(3):17-22.
MyJurnal

Introductions: Call center has been defined as a working environment in which uses telephone and computer for the purpose of marketing and manage communication with prospect clients or existing clients (Rocha, Glina, Morinho and Nakasato, 2005; Sprigg, Smith and Jackson, 2003).
Methodology: The study was conducted via observation of working condition and face to face interview with call center operators. Measurement of anthropometrics was also conducted.
Results: Ergonomics issues found at call center were inappropriate work condition and workstation which lead to awkward sitting posture (sitting with forward leaning posture, raised shoulder, feet not supported on floor). Besides that organizational policy which required high job demand and subsequently lead to prolonged sitting and static posture (very minimal posture changes). Combination all these factors lead to musculoskeletal symptoms and the operators reported of having neck, shoulder, upper back and lower back pain compared to other body parts.
Conclusion: The management should embark on organization wide ergonomics management program and should review the current policy and create safe and healthy working environment by providing suitable workstation for the operators in order to prevent musculoskeletal.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext School bag load and its effect on erector spinae muscle and low back pain among primary school children in Malaysia

Tamrin SBM, Ai LP, Hamzah R, Abdullah MY, Hanafi SS

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2005;1(1):21-31.

Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine and evaluate the effects of schoolbag load on electromyography (EMG) activity of the erector spinae muscle.
Methods: Eighty-four primary schoolchildren were selected from two national medium primary schools in Seri Kembangan, 42 from Primary Two (P2) and 42 from Primary Five (PS), aged 8 and 11 respectively. Data were collected through interviews, anthropometries measurements, the weight of schoolbag load and surface electromyography (SEMG) of the erector spinae using Muscle Tester ME3000f'®. SurfaceAg-AgCl electrodes were used to measure: unloaded standing and walking, and loaded standing and walking.
Results: The study revealed that the erector spinae was found to be more efficient in loaded standing probably due to other trunk muscle co-activity compared to unloaded standing (p<0.05). However, the erector spinae was less efficient when loads were carried on the back while walking, compared to unloaded walking. When the schoolbag was carried over both shoulders, forces generated by the erector spinae were reduced and resulted in a more efficient use of the erector spinae compared to other asymmetrical carrying methods (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Bending slightly forward when carrying schoolbag was found to reduce the forces generated by the erector spinae compared to normal sagittal posture (p<0.05), however no significant difference was found between the different frontal postures. A significant inverse relationship (p<0.01) between the weight of schoolbag load and the average electromyography (AEMG), showed that the signifieance of the erector spinae muscle was reduced when a heavier schoolbag load was carried, owing to other trunk muscles co-activity. The study also revealed that apart from age of schoolchildren, family history of back pain, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), weight of the schoolbag and method of carrying schoolbag also play important role as risk factors for back pain.
Keywords: Electromyography, schoolbag, primary school, back pain

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Fulltext Prevalence and its associated factors of low back pain among foggers in a District Health Office in Malaysia

Muhamad Farhan Ab Razak, Titi Rahmawati Hamedon, Haidar Rizal Toha

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):109-109.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a common symptom among working population worldwide. Foggers prone to have LBP because there are exposed to physical factors such as lifting heavy object, awkward body posture and vibration. However, LBP had never been studied among the fogger. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with LBP. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in all District Health Office in Johor, Malaysia by using a validated self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measure-ments. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used for inferential statistic and multiple logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors. The significance level was determined at p < 0.05. Results: The response rate was 83.9%. Majority of them are male (99.6%), Malay (95.8%), married (85.8%) and educated up to secondary school (53.5%). Majority of respondents do not have part time job (89.6%) but they work overtime everyday (62.7%). Most of them do four hours overtime daily (77.3%). The prevalence of LBP was 68.5% among respondents. There was a significant association between doing part time job, duration of doing overtime per week, body mass index (BMI) and duration of fogging activities. Finally, the associated factors of LBP were doing overtime for more than 20 hours per week (adjusted OR=1.914, 95% CI [1.102, 3.324], p = 0.021), BMI of more than 23.00 kg/m2 (adjusted OR=2.066, 95% CI [1.090, 3.916], p = 0.026) and having no part time job (adjusted OR=0.135, 95% CI [0.031, 0.599], p = 0.021). Conclusion: Prevention needs to be initiated to change the modifiable factors of LBP in order to reduce the prevalence of LBP among them.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain
Differences in psychological factors, disability and fatigue according to the grade of chronification in non-specific low back pain patients: A cross-sectional study

Adnan R, Van Oosterwijck J, Danneels L, Willems T, Meeus M, Crombez G, et al.

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2020;33(6):919-930.
PMID: 33016899 DOI: 10.3233/BMR-191548

BACKGROUND: Differences in pain processing, muscle structure and function have been reported in patients with low back pain (LBP) with different grades of pain chronicity.
OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to examine differences in psychological factors, disability and subjective fatigue between subgroups of LBP based on their chronification grade.
METHODS: Twenty-one healthy controls (HC) and 54 LBP patients (categorized based on the grades of chronicity into recurrent LBP (RLBP), non-continuous chronic LBP (CLBP), or continuous (CLBP)) filled out a set of self-reporting questionnaires.
RESULTS: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) scores indicated that anxiety, pain severity, pain interference and affective distress were lower in HC and RLBP compared to non-continuous CLBP. Anxiety scores were higher in non-continuous CLBP compared to RLBP, continuous CLBP and HC. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Helplessness (PSCH) was higher in non-continuous CLBP compared to HC. The Survey of Pain Attitudes (SOPA) showed no differences in adaptive and maladaptive behaviors across the groups. The Pain Disability Index (PDI) measured a higher disability in both CLBP groups compared to HC. Moreover, the Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) showed higher levels of disability in continuous CLBP compared to non-continuous CLBP, RLBP and HC. The Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) revealed that patients with non-continuous CLBP were affected to a higher extent by severe fatigue compared to continuous CLBP, RLBP and HC (subjective fatigue, concentration and physical activity). For all tests, a significance level of 0.05 was used.
CONCLUSIONS: RLBP patients are more disabled than HC, but have a tendency towards a general positive psychological state of mind. Non-continuous CLBP patients would most likely present a negative psychological mindset, become more disabled and have prolonged fatigue complaints. Finally, the continuous CLBP patients are characterized by more negative attitudes and believes on pain, enhanced disability and interference of pain in their daily lives.

Matched MeSH terms: Low Back Pain/diagnosis*; Low Back Pain/physiopathology; Low Back Pain/psychology

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