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Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Guest Editor
Department of Occupational Therapy, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Korea
Interests: rehabilitation; occupational therapy; physical therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal disorder is one of the most common problems encountered in our daily life, careers, sports and leisure activities. This is often accompanied by pain and dysfunction, which hinders daily activities and work ability, and incurs high costs related to sick leave and productivity in the industrial field.

Musculoskeletal disorders are primarily non-specific and highly fluctuating in symptoms, and can develop chronically if left untreated. Furthermore, musculoskeletal disorder is not limited to damage only to the musculoskeletal system within our body, but can adversely affect various systems in the body. Bad posture, insufficient exercise, and chronic stress, which have been habitual for a long time, are one of the causes of this disease, and it is necessary to prevent or treat these factors in advance.

Our point of view includes back pain, neck pain, various muscle problems in the limbs due to sports activities, sprains, work-related pain, and other non-specific muscle problems. Please suggest the proven effects of various prevention methods, treatments, and rehabilitation interventions to mediate symptoms of these diseases.

Various intervention methods, such as therapeutic exercise, exercise rehabilitation method, stretching, massage, manual therapy, alternative medicine method, oriental medicine, etc., please suggest interesting results.

Prof. Dr. Jin-Hwa Jung
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • injury prevention
  • back pain
  • neck pain
  • repetitive stress injury
  • trauma injury
  • therapeutic exercise
  • alternative medicine
  • oriental medicine
  • manual therapy

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 685 KiB  
Article
Effects of Forest Healing Anti-Aging Program on Psychological, Physiological, and Physical Health of Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment
by Ji-Eun Baek, Jin-Hwa Jung, Ho-Jin Shin, Sung-Hyeon Kim, Si-Yoon Sung, Su-Jin Park, Suk-Chan Hahm, Hwi-Young Cho and Min-Goo Lee
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4863; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084863 - 16 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3100
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of a forest healing anti-aging program on psychological, physiological, and physical health in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-two older people with MCI living in the city participated in a forest healing anti-aging program. [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the effect of a forest healing anti-aging program on psychological, physiological, and physical health in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-two older people with MCI living in the city participated in a forest healing anti-aging program. Psychological indicators included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Beck depression inventory (BDI), profile of mood states (POMS), World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Physiological indicators included vital signs, body composition, and blood analysis. Physical indicators included the senior fitness test (SFT), muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, static balance, and dynamic balance. Psychological, physiological, and physical indicators were evaluated at first and second pre-measurement, post-measurement, and one-month follow-up. MMSE, BDI, POMS, WHOQOL, body composition, blood analysis, SFT, muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, and dynamic balance were significantly different between pre- and post-measurement. Beck depression inventory, POMS, WHOQOL, PSQI, SFT, muscle strength (elbow flexor muscle, knee extensor muscle), spatiotemporal parameter of gait significantly improved continually until the one-month follow-up. In conclusion, the forest healing program had a positive effect on the psychological, physiological, and physical health of older people with MCI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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12 pages, 1318 KiB  
Article
Healthcare Professionals’ Compliance with the Standard Management Guidelines towards the Use of Biological Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
by Sadia Shakeel, Wajiha Iffat, Ambreen Qamar, Hina Rehman, Faiza Ghuman, Fareeha Butt, Anees ur Rehman, Melinda Madléna, Edit Paulik, Márió Gajdács and Shazia Jamshed
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4699; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084699 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2242
Abstract
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complicated, with numerous aspects influencing decision-making, including disease severity, comorbidities, and patient preferences. The present study aimed to evaluate healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and their compliance with the standard management guidelines [...] Read more.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complicated, with numerous aspects influencing decision-making, including disease severity, comorbidities, and patient preferences. The present study aimed to evaluate healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and their compliance with the standard management guidelines for assuring optimal RA therapy. The cross-sectional, survey-based study was performed in various healthcare and academic settings in Karachi, Pakistan to probe HCPs’ knowledge of bDMARDs and their compliance with the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of RA patients. Overall, n = 413 questionnaires were included in our study (response rate: 82.6%). The physicians were further well-informed about the indications (n = 276, 91.3%, p = 0.001) and monitoring requirements (n = 258, 85.4%, p = 0.004). The pharmacists were more knowledgeable about the drug targets (n = 96, 86.4%, p = 0.029) and their mechanisms of action (n = 80, 72.0%, p = 0.013). Male respondents as compared with females (41.3% vs. 35.6%, p = 0.04), and physicians as compared with pharmacists (40.7% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.012), were more confident in using bDMARDs than conventional treatment in RA patients. Our findings show that the respondents were familiar with the attributes of bDMARDs and the standard management guidelines for RA care. Our results may be relevant in creating new methods, guidelines, and treatments to enhance RA treatment adherence, satisfaction, and health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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10 pages, 308 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of the FED Method in the Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis of Girls Aged 11–15 Years
by Sandra Trzcińska, Kamil Koszela and Michał Kuszewski
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010065 - 22 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3225
Abstract
(1) Background: The unknown etiology of idiopathic scoliosis and its three-dimensional nature make the cause-and-effect therapeutic management difficult. A tendency to progression of scoliosis and the failure of many methods of conservative treatment have prompted the search for new methods that would stop [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The unknown etiology of idiopathic scoliosis and its three-dimensional nature make the cause-and-effect therapeutic management difficult. A tendency to progression of scoliosis and the failure of many methods of conservative treatment have prompted the search for new methods that would stop and correct deformations. One of them is the FED method, used in the conservative treatment of idiopathic scolioses, in which all scoliotic curves are corrected. The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of idiopathic scoliosis treatment with the FED and FITS methods. (2) Methods: The study included 60 randomly selected girls, aged 11 to 15 years, treated with the FED and FITS methods. They were diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis grade II according to Cobb and double-curve scoliosis type I and II according to King–Moe classification. The results of the therapy were assessed with the use of the Bunnell scoliometer. The examinations were performed before the start of the therapy—on the first day of the child’s stay—and 3 weeks after the therapy. The angle of trunk rotation and the sum of two rotations were assessed using a scoliometer. (3) Results: The performed statistical analysis demonstrated significant changes in the examined parameters in both therapeutic groups. (4) Conclusions: 1. The obtained results indicate that the FED therapy may prove to be an effective method of treating idiopathic scoliosis; however, it requires further research in a larger group of patients; 2. both methods significantly improved trunk rotation in primary and secondary scoliosis, but after using summing parameters (SDR parameter), the FED method appeared to be statistically more effective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
11 pages, 684 KiB  
Article
Pain Neuroscience Education Combined with Therapeutic Exercises Provides Added Benefit in the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain
by Norollah Javdaneh, Atle Hole Saeterbakken, Arash Shams and Amir Hossein Barati
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8848; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168848 - 22 Aug 2021
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 8238
Abstract
Background: Chronic neck pain is common in the adult general population. Although the etiology of chronic neck pain is under debate, it is clear that chronic neck pain is multifactorial, with both physical and psychosocial contributors. Objective: To determine whether adding pain neuroscience [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic neck pain is common in the adult general population. Although the etiology of chronic neck pain is under debate, it is clear that chronic neck pain is multifactorial, with both physical and psychosocial contributors. Objective: To determine whether adding pain neuroscience education (PNE) to therapeutic exercises improved their pain–disability index, pain catastrophizing, fear–avoidance beliefs, and pain self-efficacy in subjects with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Methods: This study was a three-arm randomized control trial. Seventy-two patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain were allocated to three groups: therapeutic exercises alone (n = 24), combined (therapeutic exercises + PNE; (n = 24), and a control group (n = 24). Each program took place three times a week, lasting for six weeks. The disability index, pain catastrophizing, fear–avoidance beliefs, and pain self-efficacy measured by the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fear–Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), respectively. Participants were assessed before and after the six-week intervention, and there was no further follow-up. Results: For the outcomes NPAD, PSC, and FABQ, combined intervention demonstrated more significant improvements than therapeutic exercises alone (p ≤ 0.05), whereas no differences were observed between the two intervention groups for PSEQ (p = 0.99). In addition, significant differences were favoring experimental groups versus control for all outcomes (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Therapeutic exercises combined with pain neuroscience education reduced the pain–disability index, pain catastrophizing, and fear–avoidance beliefs more than therapeutic exercises alone in patients with chronic neck pain. For pain self-efficacy, there was no statistically significant difference between the two intervention groups; however, the combined group had a more significant effect than therapeutic exercises alone. Further studies with longer periods and follow-up are required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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11 pages, 1097 KiB  
Article
Spinal and Pelvic Alignment of Sitting Posture Associated with Smartphone Use in Adolescents with Low Back Pain
by Tae-sung In, Jin-hwa Jung, Kyoung-sim Jung and Hwi-young Cho
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168369 - 7 Aug 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5084
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the association between smartphone use in the sitting posture and changes in thoracolumbar kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic asymmetry in adolescents with low back pain (LBP). Twenty-five adolescents with LBP and 25 healthy adolescents participated in this study. [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the association between smartphone use in the sitting posture and changes in thoracolumbar kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic asymmetry in adolescents with low back pain (LBP). Twenty-five adolescents with LBP and 25 healthy adolescents participated in this study. They were instructed to sit on a height-adjustable chair with their hips and knees bent at 90° for 30 min in their usual sitting postures. Thoracolumbar kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic asymmetry were measured using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Thoracolumbar kyphosis and lumbar lordosis increased after 30 min of sitting compared to the baseline. In both groups, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angle increased with increasing sitting time. Compared to healthy adolescents, adolescents with LBP presented greater thoracolumbar kyphosis and lumbar lordosis after prolonged sitting. Pelvic asymmetry showed no significant difference between the sitting time and groups. Using a smartphone during prolonged sitting may lead to a slumped posture; these associations were more pronounced in adolescents with LBP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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11 pages, 748 KiB  
Article
Musculoskeletal Disorders’ Classification Proposal for Application in Occupational Medicine
by Pablo Monteiro Pereira, João Amaro, Bruno Tillmann Ribeiro, Ana Gomes, Paulo De Oliveira, Joana Duarte, João Ferraz, João Santos Baptista and José Torres Costa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 8223; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158223 - 3 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4001
Abstract
Occupational-specific classifications of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are scarce and do not answer specific clinical questions. Thus, a specific classification was developed and proposed, covering criteria applicable to daily clinical activity. It was considered that the disorder development process is the same across all [...] Read more.
Occupational-specific classifications of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are scarce and do not answer specific clinical questions. Thus, a specific classification was developed and proposed, covering criteria applicable to daily clinical activity. It was considered that the disorder development process is the same across all work-related MSDs (WRMSDs). Concepts of clinical pathology were applied to the characteristics of WRMSDs pathophysiology, cellular and tissue alterations. Then, the correlation of the inflammatory mechanisms with the injury onset mode was graded into four levels (MSDs 0–3). Criteria of legal, occupational and internal medicine, semiology, physiology and orthopaedics, image medicine and diagnostics were applied. Next, the classification was analysed by experts, two occupational physicians, two physiatrists and occupational physicians and one orthopaedist. This approach will allow WRMSD prevention and improve therapeutic management, preventing injuries from becoming chronic and facilitating communication between occupational health physicians and the other specialities. The four levels tool relate aetiopathogenic, clinical, occupational and radiological concepts into a single classification. This allows for improving the ability to determine a WRMSD and understanding what preventive and therapeutic measures should be taken, avoiding chronicity. The developed tool is straightforward, easy to understand and suitable for WRMSDs, facilitating communication between occupational physicians and physicians from other specialities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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