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Risk Factors and Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions
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Risk Factors and Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 March 2023) | Viewed by 11324

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anita B. Amorim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Interests: musculoskeletal conditions; pain; mental health; behavior change; lifestyle; physical activity; wellbeing; mindfulness; biopsychosocial; physiotherapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal conditions are considered a significant global public health problem. They cause a considerable burden for individuals and substantial societal costs. Conditions such as low back pain and osteoarthritis are typically characterized by persistent pain, leading to high levels of disability and reduced quality of life. According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, around 1.71 billion people worldwide suffer from some form of musculoskeletal condition. Chronic musculoskeletal pain (in particular low back pain) is the main contributor to disability worldwide. The disability associated with musculoskeletal conditions has been increasing and is projected to increase even further in the following decades. Growing evidence shows that lifestyle factors such as the lack of physical activity, stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diet, and smoking are associated with the development and persistence of musculoskeletal pain across all age categories. Nonetheless, the effective management of pain and related disability in patients with musculoskeletal conditions remains challenging. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health focuses on the recent advances in interventions and/or innovative and personalized management approaches for musculoskeletal conditions. Studies on the biological, physical, psychological, and social risk factors for the development and persistence of musculoskeletal pain are also welcome.

Dr. Anita B. Amorim
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • musculoskeletal conditions
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • chronic pain
  • low back pain
  • risk factors
  • lifestyle
  • behavior change
  • physiotherapy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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18 pages, 425 KiB  
Article
An Exploration of the Influence of Non-Biomechanical Factors on Lifting-Related LBP
by Nic Saraceni, Amity Campbell, Peter Kent, Leo Ng, Leon Straker and Peter O’Sullivan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1903; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031903 - 20 Jan 2023
Viewed by 2915
Abstract
Objective: The primary objective was to compare non-biomechanical factors between manual workers with and without a history of LBP related to lifting. A secondary objective was to investigate associations between the change in pain intensity during repeated lifting (termed pain ramp) and non-biomechanical [...] Read more.
Objective: The primary objective was to compare non-biomechanical factors between manual workers with and without a history of LBP related to lifting. A secondary objective was to investigate associations between the change in pain intensity during repeated lifting (termed pain ramp) and non-biomechanical factors tested in the LBP group. Methods: Manual workers currently in lifting occupations with and without a history of lifting-related LBP were recruited (21 LBP and 20 noLBP) and took part in a repeated (100) lift task. A series of non-biomechanical factors, including psychological, work-related, lifestyle, whole health and psychophysical factors, were collected. Psychophysical factors (pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and fatigue) were also measured at different time points. Associations between pain ramp during lifting and non-biomechanical factors were investigated with linear regression. Results: The LBP group reported worse perceived sleep quality, more musculoskeletal pain sites other than LBP and greater symptoms related to gastrointestinal complaints and pseudo-neurology compared to the group with no history of LBP. The group with LBP were also slightly more worried about the lifting task and felt more fatigued at the end of the lifting task. The feeling of fatigue during lifting was positively associated with pain ramp in the LBP group. Anxiety and gastrointestinal complaints were weakly negatively associated with pain ramp during lifting. Conclusions: The group differences of poorer perceived sleep, greater non-specific health complaints, slightly more worry about the lifting task and more perceived fatigue in the LBP group highlight the complex and multi-factorial nature of LBP related to lifting. The feeling of fatigue was positively associated with pain ramp in the LBP group, suggesting a close relationship with pain and fatigue during lifting that requires further exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions)
12 pages, 784 KiB  
Article
Chronotype and Social Jetlag Influence Performance and Injury during Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Physical Training
by Graham R. McGinnis, Shani T. Thompson, Charli D. Aguilar, Michael B. Dial, Richard D. Tandy and Kara N. Radzak
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13644; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013644 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2792
Abstract
Sleep and circadian rhythms are critically important for optimal physical performance and maintaining health during training. Chronotype and altered sleep may modulate the response to exercise training, especially when performed at specific times/days, which may contribute to musculoskeletal injury. The purpose of this [...] Read more.
Sleep and circadian rhythms are critically important for optimal physical performance and maintaining health during training. Chronotype and altered sleep may modulate the response to exercise training, especially when performed at specific times/days, which may contribute to musculoskeletal injury. The purpose of this study was to determine if cadet characteristics (chronotype, sleep duration, and social jetlag) were associated with injury incidence and inflammation during physical training. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets (n = 42) completed the Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire to determine chronotype, and 1-week sleep logs to determine sleep duration and social jetlag. Salivary IL-6 was measured before and after the first and fourth exercise sessions during training. Prospective injury incidence was monitored over 14 weeks of training, and Army Physical Fitness Test scores were recorded at the conclusion. Chronotype, sleep duration, and social jetlag were assessed as independent factors impacting IL-6, injury incidence, and APFT scores using ANOVAs, chi-squared tests, and the t-test where appropriate, with significance accepted at p < 0.05. Evening chronotypes performed worse on the APFT (evening = 103.8 ± 59.8 vs. intermediate = 221.9 ± 40.3 vs. morning = 216.6 ± 43.6; p < 0.05), with no difference in injury incidence. Sleep duration did not significantly impact APFT score or injury incidence. Social jetlag was significantly higher in injured vs. uninjured cadets (2:40 ± 1:03 vs. 1:32 ± 55, p < 0.05). Exercise increased salivary IL-6, with no significant effects of chronotype, sleep duration, or social jetlag. Evening chronotypes and cadets with social jetlag display hampered performance during morning APFT. Social jetlag may be a behavioral biomarker for musculoskeletal injury risk, which requires further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions)
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13 pages, 1184 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Effectiveness of Workplace Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Factor Screening Tools for Reducing Injury: A Systematic Review
by Richard Roberts, Teri Slade, Don Voaklander, Sebastian Straube, Liz Dennett, Carol Cancelliere, Christine Guptill, Linda Miller, Danielle Lemay, Melnard De Leon and Douglas P. Gross
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2762; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032762 - 3 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2633
Abstract
Introduction: Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) contributes to global health burdens. Effective MSI prevention is necessary. MSI risk factor screening tools can be used by employers to identify and mitigate occupational hazards. Rigorous synthesis of the effectiveness of these tools has not taken place. We [...] Read more.
Introduction: Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) contributes to global health burdens. Effective MSI prevention is necessary. MSI risk factor screening tools can be used by employers to identify and mitigate occupational hazards. Rigorous synthesis of the effectiveness of these tools has not taken place. We synthesized literature on effectiveness of MSI risk factor screening tools for reducing injury through informing prevention interventions. Materials and Methods: A literature search of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library (Trials), CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO databases was performed. Included studies required an analytic design, used an MSI risk factor screening tool to inform an intervention in a working-age population and reported an outcome of MSI development, injury or compensation/work absence. Data extraction and study quality rating (Downs and Black criteria) were completed. Studies were sub-categorized as having used a single MSI screening tool (single-tool) to inform an injury prevention intervention or involving multiple simultaneous screening tools (multiple-tool). Study outcomes were synthesized when possible. Results: Eighteen articles representing fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria. No high-quality studies were identified (maximum Downs and Black score of 19). Studies did not employ previously validated tools but instead, typically, those purpose-built for a single use. The results were inconsistent both when using tools alone and in combination with other tools. Outcome measure heterogeneity precluded meaningful meta-analysis. Conclusions: There is limited evidence regarding use of MSI risk factor screening tools for preventing injury. Rigorous studies that utilize previously validated tools are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions)
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17 pages, 1657 KiB  
Systematic Review
Screening for Referral of Serious Pathology by Physical Examination Tests in Patients with Back or Chest Pain: A Systematic Review
by Federico Andreoletti, Filippo Maselli, Lorenzo Storari, Andrea Vongher, Monica Erbesato, Marco Testa and Andrea Turolla
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16418; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416418 - 7 Dec 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the most common physical examination tests (PET) for the screening for referral of patients with back or chest pain caused by serious pathology. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were performed on seven electronic databases between June 2020 and [...] Read more.
Objective: To investigate the most common physical examination tests (PET) for the screening for referral of patients with back or chest pain caused by serious pathology. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were performed on seven electronic databases between June 2020 and December 2021. Only studies evaluating patients with back and/or chest pain with clear reporting of PETs and prompt patient referrals were included. Results: 316 full texts were included, and these studies had a total of 474/492 patients affected by a serious disease. Only 26 studies of them described suspicion of serious disease due to at least one positive PET. Cardiac/pulmonary auscultation and heartbeats/blood pressure measurements were the most frequently reported tests. None of the reported studies included physiotherapists and chiropractors who reported the use of various tests, such as: cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, lung percussion, costovertebral angle tenderness, and lymph node palpation, highlighting a lack of attention in measuring vital parameters. On the contrary, doctors and nurses reported the assessment of the range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine and hip less frequently. Conclusions: Appropriate reporting of PETs is sparse, and their utilization is heterogeneous among different healthcare professionals. Further primary studies are needed to describe PETs results in patients suffering from back and/or chest pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions)
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