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Edgar Ramos Vieira

Publications and source records attributed to Edgar Ramos Vieira.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Work physical therapy and rehabilitation ergonomics: a review and discussion of the scope of the areas.

PURPOSE: There has been a recent development of the work physical therapy area in Brazil. The relationship between work physical therapy and rehabilitation ergonomics needs to be highlighted to avoid segregation and fragmentation of these complementary fields. For these reasons, the purpose of this article was to review and clarify the scope of the areas of work physical therapy and rehabilitation ergonomics. METHOD: The available literature discussing the roles of the areas of interest was critically reviewed. RESULTS: Both areas are concerned with workers' health and safety and they complement each other. CONCLUSIONS: Work physical therapy can be considered as rehabilitation ergonomics practiced by physical therapists with their specific interests. Hopefully, this paper will contribute to further interaction between the areas of work physical therapy and rehabilitation ergonomics not only in Brazil but worldwide. This may contribute to improved occupational disability prevention and rehabilitation.

Canada↗
PubMed2006

Low back problems and possible improvements in nursing jobs.

AIM: This paper reports a study that aimed to evaluate the workload, to identify problems leading to the higher incidence rate of work-related low back injury among nurses in the orthopaedic and intensive care unit departments of the hospital, and to gather information about improvements that the nurses would like in the workplace. BACKGROUND: The literature shows that low back injuries are common among nurses, and intervention programmes are needed to address this problem. METHOD: The hospital injury records were examined in a retrospective study. In addition, a validated questionnaire was administered between January and May 2005 to 47 nurses (23 orthopaedic and 24 intensive care nurses). The questionnaire contained questions on workload, history of back injuries, problems, possible solutions and psychophysical measures of exertion. FINDINGS: The life-time incidence and point prevalence of low back pain were 65% and 30%, respectively, in orthopaedic nurses, and 58% and 25%, respectively, in the intensive care nurses. The mean weight handled was reported to be 47 +/- 30 kg by the orthopaedic nurses and 26 +/- 10 kg by the intensive care nurses. The low back scored highest for body-part discomfort - 4.6 and 4.0, respectively, on a 10-point scale. The rate of perceived job exertion was 6.7 +/- 1.8 (very strong), and 5.8 +/- 1.9 (strong) on Borg's 10-point scale. The total effort required by the job, rated on Visual Analogue Scales, was 67 +/- 14% and 68 +/- 15% of the maximum, respectively. The Borg scores and the total effort according to the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Borg scores and force effort on the Visual Analogue Scale were moderately correlated (r = 0.53, P < 0.01 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION: The methodology proposed here is practical for job evaluation and to design a participatory ergonomic intervention aiming at reducing low back injuries in nursing jobs. There are workload differences between nursing jobs. Lifting devices, biomechanical training, bigger rooms, adequate set-up and additional staff are suggested improvements.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Cut-points to prevent low back injury due to force exertion at work.

Force exertion is related to low back injuries (LBI). This paper critically reviews the literature concerning cut-points for back force exertion, presents available guidelines in a concise manner, and identifies areas that need further research. The studies reviewed were grouped according to the criteria used to set the cut-point values. Most often cut-points differ than concur. The approach considering physiological, psychophysical, epidemiological, and biomechanical aspects of back force exertion meets the most known criteria and presents the lowest common denominator of instantaneous load for lifting tasks. Further experimental and epidemiological studies in peak load and cumulative exposure are necessary. Compound indices should also be developed for pushing, pulling, and carrying. Future indices should consider electromyographically determined fatigue, differential viscoelastic properties of tissues, aging, and the cross sectional area of back muscles. We hope that this paper contributes to a more systematic appraisal of back force exertion at work.

Alberta↗
PubMed2004

Working postures: a literature review.

Working postures are addressed in many papers in the ergonomics field but, surprisingly, scientific literature dealing with working posture itself is not common; knowledge has been elusive. This article reviews the working postures literature. Selected papers published in the English language before March 2003 including the phrase "working postures" in the title, abstract, or keywords were searched in the PubMed, Scirus, and Science Direct databases and reviewed. The literature provides evidence that working postures and musculoskeletal health are related. This relationship is supported by the overexertion, differential fatigue, and cumulative load theories of musculoskeletal injuries' precipitation. Goniometers, inclinometers, photographic techniques, electrogoniometers, and video recording systems are the means that are most often used to measure working postures. Information about working postures need to be collected and analyzed in a more systematic way in order to contribute for a deeper understanding of the relationship between working postures and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This information will help to improve the control and rehabilitation of these highly prevalent disorders.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗