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  • 1.
    Aasa, Björn
    et al.
    Umeå universitet.
    Sandlund, Jonas
    Umeå universitet.
    Rudolfsson, Thomas
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Aasa, Ulrika
    Umeå universitet.
    Acuity of goal-directed arm movements and movement control; evaluation of differences between patients with persistent neck/shoulder pain and healthy controls2022In: European Journal of Physiotherapy, ISSN 2167-9169, E-ISSN 2167-9177, Vol. 24, no 1, p. 47-55Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background

    The main aim was to examine whether patients with persistent upper quadrant pain have higher end-point variability in goal directed pointing movements than pain-free controls when the pointing task is performed in total darkness and under full vision. An additional aim was to study associations between the magnitude of end-point variability and a clinical movement control test battery and self-rated functioning among patients.

    Methods

    Seventeen patients and 17 age- and gender-matched pain-free controls performed a pointing task that evaluated end-point variability of repetitive shoulder movements in horizontal adduction and abduction with full vision, and abduction with no visual information, completed a movement control test battery of neck and shoulder control tests and answered questionnaires.

    Results

    Patients had higher end point variability for horizontal abduction when performed with no visual information. For horizontal adduction the variability was higher, but only when it was controlled for movement time. No significant correlations were found between end-point variability and self-rated functioning, nor between end-point variability and neuromuscular control of the glenohumeral joint.

    Conclusions

    This study provides preliminary evidence that patients with persistent neck/shoulder pain can partly compensate proprioceptive deficits in goal-directed arm movement when visual feedback is present.

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  • 2.
    Aboagye, Emmanuel
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Björklund, Christina
    Gustafsson, Klas
    Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .
    Hagberg, Jan
    Aronsson, Gunnar
    Department of Psychology, Stockholm University.
    Marklund, Staffan
    Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet.
    Leineweber, Constanze
    Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Karolinska Institutet.
    Exhaustion and impaired work performance in the workplace: Associations with presenteeism and absenteeism2019In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, ISSN 1076-2752, E-ISSN 1536-5948, Vol. 61, no 11, p. e438-e444Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between presenteeism and absenteeism during the previous year and the current levels of exhaustion and impaired work performance in a Swedish university setting.

    METHODS: In a study of 3525 employees, an ordinal logistic regression and general linear model was used to examine the association between presenteeism and absenteeism during the previous year and the current exhaustion and impaired work performance, respectively.

    RESULTS: Presenteeism, but not absenteeism, during the previous year independently increased the risk of having moderate or severe exhaustion. Presenteeism, absenteeism, and exhaustion remained positively associated with impaired work performance when health status and other confounders had been adjusted for.

    CONCLUSIONS: Presenteeism, but not absenteeism, was associated with exhaustion. Both presenteeism and absenteeism were the salient correlates of impaired work performance.

  • 3.
    Aboagye, Emmanuel
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. Karolinska institutet.
    Gustafsson, Klas
    Karolinska institutet.
    Jensen, Irene
    Karolinska institutet.
    Hagberg, Jan
    Karolinska institutet.
    Aronsson, Gunnar
    Stockholms universitet.
    Marklund, Staffan
    Karolinska institutet.
    Leineweber, Constanze
    Karolinska institutet.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    What is number of days in number of times? Associations between, and responsiveness of, two sickness presenteeism measures.2020In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, ISSN 1076-2752, E-ISSN 1536-5948, Vol. 62, no 5, p. 180-185Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between SP reported as number of days with SP reported as number of times and to evaluate their responsiveness.

    METHODS: The study population (n = 454) consisted of employed individuals, at risk of long-term sickness absence. Correlation analyses were performed to examine associations between the two SP measures and external constructs such as work performance, general health and registered sick leave. Both SP constructs were measured several times to examine responsiveness.

    RESULTS: The SP measures are moderately correlated. They moderately correlated with work performance and health status measures. SP reported as number of times seem to be more sensitive than number of days in detecting changes after rehabilitation.

    CONCLUSIONS: Numerical or categorical constructs are valid sources of data on SP. However, categorized SP seem to be more responsive.

  • 4.
    Aboagye, Emmanuel
    et al.
    Karolinska institutet.
    Jensen, Irene
    Karolinska institutet.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Björk Brämberg, Elisabeth
    Karolinska institutet.
    Pico-Espinosa, Oscar Javier
    Karolinska institutet.
    Björklund, Christina
    Karolinska institutet.
    Investigating the association between publication performance and the work environment of university research academics: a systematic review2021In: Scientometrics, ISSN 0138-9130, E-ISSN 1588-2861, Vol. 126, no 4, p. 3283-3301Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this review was to investigate the association between publication performance and the organizational and psychosocial work environment of academics in a university setting. In 2018 we conducted database searches in Web of Science, Medline and other key journals (hand-searched) from 1990 to 2017 based on population, exposure and outcome framework. We examined reference lists, and after a title and abstract scan and full-text reading we identified studies that were original research and fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Articles were evaluated as having a low, moderate or high risk of bias using a quality assessment form. From the studies (n = 32) identified and synthesized, work-environment characteristics could explain the quality and quantity aspects of publication performance of academics. Management practices, leadership and psychosocial characteristics are influential factors that affect academics’ publication productivity. Most of the reviewed studies were judged to be of moderate quality because of issues of bias, related to the measuring of publication outcome. The findings in the studies reviewed suggest that highly productive research academics and departments significantly tend to be influenced by the organizational and psychosocial characteristics of their working environment. The practical relevance of this review is that it highlights where academics’ performance needs support and how the work environment can be improved to bolster publication productivity.

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  • 5.
    Aboagye, Emmanuel
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Lilje, Stina
    Karolinska institutet; Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm.
    Bengtsson, Camilla
    Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm.
    Peterson, Anna
    Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm.
    Persson, Ulf
    The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, Lund.
    Skillgate, Eva
    Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm; Karolinska institutet.
    Manual therapy versus advice to stay active for nonspecific back and/or neck pain: a cost-effectiveness analysis2022In: Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, E-ISSN 2045-709X, Vol. 30, no 1, article id 27Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background

    Low back and neck pain are the most common musculoskeletal disorders worldwide, and imply suffering and substantial societal costs, hence effective interventions are crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of manual therapy compared with advice to stay active for working age persons with nonspecific back and/or neck pain.

    Methods

    The two interventions were: a maximum of 6 manual therapy sessions within 6 weeks, including spinal manipulation/mobilization, massage and stretching, performed by a naprapath (index group), respectively information from a physician on the importance to stay active and on how to cope with pain, according to evidence-based advice, at 2 occasions within 3 weeks (control group). A cost-effectiveness analysis with a societal perspective was performed alongside a randomized controlled trial including 409 persons followed for one year, in 2005. The outcomes were health-related Quality of Life (QoL) encoded from the SF-36 and pain intensity. Direct and indirect costs were calculated based on intervention and medication costs and sickness absence data. An incremental cost per health related QoL was calculated, and sensitivity analyses were performed.

    Results

    The difference in QoL gains was 0.007 (95% CI − 0.010 to 0.023) and the mean improvement in pain intensity was 0.6 (95% CI 0.068–1.065) in favor of manual therapy after one year. Concerning the QoL outcome, the differences in mean cost per person was estimated at − 437 EUR (95% CI − 1302 to 371) and for the pain outcome the difference was − 635 EUR (95% CI − 1587 to 246) in favor of manual therapy. The results indicate that manual therapy achieves better outcomes at lower costs compared with advice to stay active. The sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main results.

    Conclusions

    Our results indicate that manual therapy for nonspecific back and/or neck pain is slightly less costly and more beneficial than advice to stay active for this sample of working age persons. Since manual therapy treatment is at least as cost-effective as evidence-based advice from a physician, it may be recommended for neck and low back pain. Further health economic studies that may confirm those findings are warranted.

    Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN56954776. Retrospectively registered 12 September 2006, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN56954776.

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  • 6.
    Ahmadi, Elena
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Lundqvist, Daniel
    Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Division of Education and Sociology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Macassa, Gloria
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, Public Health Science.
    A qualitative study of factors that managers in small companies consider important for their wellbeing2023In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, ISSN 1748-2623, E-ISSN 1748-2631, Vol. 18, no 1, article id 2286669Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose

    Given the importance of small businesses for society, and the significance of managers’ wellbeing for employee health, leadership, and business performance, more knowledge is needed on the sources of managers’ wellbeing. This study explored factors within the small business context that were perceived by managers to hinder or enable their wellbeing.

    Methods

    Data were collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 managers from 12 small companies, and analysed with content analysis.

    Results

    The factors that these managers in small businesses experienced as enhancing or hindering their personal wellbeing covered five categories: demands and resources in the daily managerial work, achievement of results, social factors, organizational factors, and individual factors.

    Conclusions

    The specific context of managerial work in small companies encompasses unique factors. For instance, the small company managers’ wellbeing was affected by vulnerability due to the smallness of the business and the absence of available resources. Simultaneously, a small company context provided a strong social climate and close relationships with employees and customers that strengthened the managers’ wellbeing. The findings suggest that the availability of financial, personnel, and organizational resources varies between small companies of different size, which may have implications for small business managers’ work and wellbeing.

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  • 7.
    Ahmadi, Elena
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Lundqvist, Daniel
    Linköpings universitet.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Macassa, Gloria
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, Public Health Science. EPIUnit–Instituto de Saude Publica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
    Managers’ and employees’ experiences of how managers’ wellbeing impacts their leadership behaviours in Swedish small businesses2023In: Work: A journal of Prevention, Assessment and rehabilitation, ISSN 1051-9815, E-ISSN 1875-9270, Vol. 75, no 1, p. 97-112Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BACKGROUND:There is a growing interest in managers’ wellbeing due to the observed associations between their wellbeing and leadership behaviours, and between leadership behaviours and employees’ wellbeing. However, it is still unclear how managers’ wellbeing influences their practiced leadership across different workplace contexts, which specific behaviours are affected, and how this varies across time.

    OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was therefore to explore managers’ and employees’ experiences and perceptions regarding the consequences of managers’ wellbeing for their leadership behaviours in small businesses.

    METHODS:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 37 participants (19 managers and 18 employees) working at 12 Swedish small firms, and analysed using content analysis.

    RESULTS:The findings show that managers were more constructive when they felt well, and more passively destructive when unwell. Variations in managers’ wellbeing influenced their mood, energy level, and performance, as well as the company’s working climate. However, these destructive leadership variations did not have a substantial impact, because several protective factors were present.

    CONCLUSION:This study shows that the wellbeing of managers in small businesses has perceptible consequences for their leadership behaviours. The study also shows that sustained leadership behaviours may coexist with temporary variations of these behaviours on a constructive-destructive continuum depending on the leader’s wellbeing. Overall, the findings contribute to a more nuanced and dynamic understanding of how the interaction between managers’ wellbeing and their behaviours unfolds in the particular context of small companies.

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  • 8.
    Ahmadi, Elena
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Macassa, Gloria
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, Public Health Science. University of Porto.
    Larsson, Johan
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. LKAB.
    Managers’ work and behaviour patterns in profitable growth SMEs2021In: Small Business Economics, ISSN 0921-898X, E-ISSN 1573-0913, Vol. 57, p. 849-863Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We investigated managers’ work and behaviour patterns in profitable growth small- and medium-sized Swedish companies, and considered how these patterns might be associated with good health outcomes. Specifically, we looked at hours worked by managers, proportion of time spent on working activities, and leadership behaviour orientation. We used a quantitative cross-sectional design and collected data via a standardized questionnaire that was answered by 133 top managers. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, linear regression, and compositional data analysis. Our results indicate that the managers worked long hours, which is a health risk both for them as individuals and for their organizations, but also that they engaged in work practices and leadership behaviours that were favourable for organizational health and for their employees. The managers spent a high proportion of their time in touring, which could be beneficial to organizational health, and exercised active leadership through behaviours that contribute to both employee health and company effectiveness. Comparing our results to other studies, we can observe that patterns of managers’ time use differ between small and large companies, confirming that the size of the firm is an important determinant of managerial work.

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  • 9.
    Andersson, Erik P.
    et al.
    Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden; School of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
    Lögdal, Nestor
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
    Byrne, Darragh
    Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
    Jones, Thomas W.
    Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
    Physiological responses and performance factors for double-poling and diagonal-stride treadmill roller-skiing time-trial exercise2023In: European Journal of Applied Physiology, ISSN 1439-6319, E-ISSN 1439-6327, Vol. 123, no 11, p. 2495-2509Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose

    To compare physiological responses between a self-paced 4-min double-poling (DP) time-trial (TTDP) versus a 4-min diagonal-stride (DS) time-trial (TTDS). The relative importance of peak oxygen uptake (V˙V˙O2peak), anaerobic capacity, and gross efficiency (GE) for projection of 4-min TTDP and TTDS roller-skiing performances were also examined.

    Methods

    Sixteen highly trained male cross-country skiers performed, in each sub-technique on separate occasions, an 8 × 4-min incremental submaximal protocol, to assess individual metabolic rate (MR) versus power output (PO) relationships, followed by a 10-min passive break and then the TTDP or TTDS, with a randomized order between sub-techniques.

    Results

    In comparison to TTDS, the TTDP resulted in 10 ± 7% lower total MR, 5 ± 4% lower aerobic MR, 30 ± 37% lower anaerobic MR, and 4.7 ± 1.2 percentage points lower GE, which resulted in a 32 ± 4% lower PO (all P < 0.01). The V˙V˙O2peak and anaerobic capacity were 4 ± 4% and 30 ± 37% lower, respectively, in DP than DS (both P < 0.01). The PO for the two time-trial (TT) performances were not significantly correlated (R2 = 0.044). Similar parabolic pacing strategies were used during both TTs. Multivariate data analysis projected TT performance using V˙V˙O2peak, anaerobic capacity, and GE (TTDP, R2 = 0.974; TTDS, R2 = 0.848). The variable influence on projection values for V˙V˙O2peak, anaerobic capacity, and GE were for TTDP, 1.12 ± 0.60, 1.01 ± 0.72, and 0.83 ± 0.38, respectively, and TTDS, 1.22 ± 0.35, 0.93 ± 0.44, and 0.75 ± 0.19, respectively.

    Conclusions

    The results show that a cross-country skier’s “metabolic profile” and performance capability are highly sub-technique specific and that 4-min TT performance is differentiated by physiological factors, such as V˙V˙O2peak, anaerobic capacity, and GE.

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  • 10.
    Areskoug, Linda
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science.
    Samband mellan arbetsidentitet och den mentala (o)hälsan inom byggbranschen: En kvantitativ studie2022Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between emotion- and cognition components within personal- and collective work identity, and exhaustion. A quantitative method was used, and questionnaires was sent out to employees in the construction industry. Using 2 hierarchical multiple regression analyzes and 149 employees who participated in the study the emotional component (p=.002) of personal work identity and the cognition (p=.04) component in collective work identity showed a negative relationship to exhaustion, indicating that individuals with a strong work identity based on these components show a decreased level of exhaustion. The cognition component (p=<.001) of personal work identity and the emotion component (p=.02) of collective work identity showed a positive relationship to exhaustion, indicating that individuals with a strong work identity based on these components show an increased level of exhaustion. However, the analysis of the collective work identity did not show a significant support for the model as a whole, which indicates that these results should be interpreted with caution.

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  • 11.
    Aronsson, G
    et al.
    Stockholm University.
    Hagberg, J
    Karolinska Institutet.
    Björklund, C
    Karolinska Institutet.
    Aboagye, Emmanuel
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska Institutet.
    Marklund, S
    Karolinska Institutet.
    Leineweber, C
    Stockholm University.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska Institutet.
    Health and motivation as mediators of the effects of job demands, job control, job support, and role conflicts at work and home on sickness presenteeism and absenteeism2021In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, ISSN 0340-0131, E-ISSN 1432-1246, Vol. 94, p. 409-418Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: The first objective was to contribute to a better understanding of the contrasting and paradoxical results in studies of work environment factors and sickness presence and sickness absence. A second objective was to examine if, and under what conditions, employees choose to replace sickness absence with sickness presence, i.e., so-called substitution.

    Methods: The study utilizes a large body of cross-sectional questionnaire data (n = 130,161) gathered in Sweden from 2002 to 2007 in connection with a comprehensive health promotion initiative. Health and motivation were analyzed as mediators of the effects of five job factors, job control, job support, job demand, role conflict and "work to family conflict" on sickness presence and absence.

    Results: The results concerning job demands indicate substitution in that increased job demands are associated with increased presenteeism and reduced absenteeism. The direct effect of higher job support was increased absenteeism, but via the health and motivation paths, the total effect of more social support was health-promoting and associated with a reduction in sickness absence and sickness presence. High job control emerged as the most pronounced health-promoting factor, reducing sickness presenteeism as well as absenteeism. More role conflicts and work-to-family conflicts were directly and indirectly associated with decreased health and increased absenteeism as well as presenteeism. earlier research.

    Conclusion: The mediation analyzes shed light on some of the paradoxes in research on sickness presenteeism and sickness absenteeism, especially regarding job demands and job support. The substitution effect is important for workplace policy and occupational health practice.

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  • 12.
    Arumugam, Ashokan
    et al.
    University of Sharjah, UAE.
    Björklund, Martin
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Umeå universitet.
    Mikko, Sanna
    Umeå universitet.
    Häger, Charlotte K
    Effects of neuromuscular training on knee proprioception in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament injury: a systematic review and GRADE evidence synthesis2021In: BMJ Open, E-ISSN 2044-6055, Vol. 11, no 5, article id e049226Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective To systematically review and summarise the evidence for the effects of neuromuscular training compared with any other therapy (conventional training/sham) on knee proprioception following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.Design Systematic Review.

    Data sources PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, AMED, Scopus and Physical Education Index were searched from inception to February 2020.

    Eligibility criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials investigating the effects of neuromuscular training on knee-specific proprioception tests following a unilateral ACL injury were included.

    Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data and assessed risk of bias of the eligible studies using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. Overall certainty in evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool.Results Of 2706 articles retrieved, only 9 RCTs, comprising 327 individuals with an ACL reconstruction (ACLR), met the inclusion criteria. Neuromuscular training interventions varied across studies: whole body vibration therapy, Nintendo-Wii-Fit training, balance training, sport-specific exercises, backward walking, etc. Outcome measures included joint position sense (JPS; n=7), thresholds to detect passive motion (TTDPM; n=3) or quadriceps force control (QFC; n=1). Overall, between-group mean differences indicated inconsistent findings with an increase or decrease of errors associated with JPS by ≤2°, TTDPM by ≤1.5° and QFC by ≤6 Nm in the ACLR knee following neuromuscular training. Owing to serious concerns with three or more GRADE domains (risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness or imprecision associated with the findings) for each outcome of interest across studies, the certainty of evidence was very low.

    Conclusions The heterogeneity of interventions, methodological limitations, inconsistency of effects (on JPS/TTDPM/QFC) preclude recommendation of one optimal neuromuscular training intervention for improving proprioception following ACL injury in clinical practice. There is a need for methodologically robust RCTs with homogenous populations with ACL injury (managed conservatively or with reconstruction), novel/well-designed neuromuscular training and valid proprioception assessments, which also seem to be lacking.

    PROSPERO registration number CRD42018107349.

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  • 13.
    Arvidsson, Inger
    et al.
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
    Hansson, Gert-Åke
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Skerfving, Staffan
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
    Changes in physical workload with implementation of mouse-based information technology in air traffic control2006In: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, ISSN 0169-8141, E-ISSN 1872-8219, Vol. 36, no 7, p. 613-622Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Effects on physical workload were quantified when introducing new information technology in air traffic control. Seven female and seven male air traffic controllers were studied in an old control system, and during simulated - but similar - work in a new, mouse-based system. Postures, movements and muscular load were recorded (inclinometry for head, neck, back and upper arms; goniometry for wrists; electromyography for the trapezius and forearm extensor muscles). The new system was associated with lower movement velocities than the old one (examples; [50th percentiles] head flexion: 2 vs. 5 o/s, P<0.01; right arm elevation: 3 vs. 6 o/s; P<0.01; [90th percentile] wrist flexion: 19 vs. 50 o/s, P<0.01), less varying postures (head: 95th-5th percentile range 17° vs. 34o; P<0.01), and less muscular rest in the right forearm extensors (3.5 vs. 9% of time; P<0.05). The old/new system differences were amplified at high work intensities. The new air traffic control system caused a major change of physical exposures, probably associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders in arms and hands.

    Relevance to industry

    While this study concerned the specific changes in the introduction of a new air traffic control system, we believe that the findings are applicable to similar technological developments in other settings.

  • 14.
    Axén, Iben
    et al.
    Karolinska Institutet.
    Björk Brämberg, Elisabeth
    Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg; Karolinska Institutet.
    Vaez, Marjan
    Karolinska Institutet.
    Lundin, Andreas
    Karolinska Institutet.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska Institutet.
    Interventions for common mental disorders in the occupational health service: a systematic review with a narrative synthesis2020In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, ISSN 0340-0131, E-ISSN 1432-1246, Vol. 93, no 7, p. 823-838Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Introduction

    Common mental disorders (CMD) are leading causes of decreased workability in Sweden and worldwide. Effective interventions to prevent or treat such disorders are important for public health.

    Objective

    To synthesize the research literature regarding occupational health service (OHS) interventions targeting prevention or reduction of CMD among employees. The effect on workability (sickness absence, return-to-work and self-reported workability) and on CMD symptoms was evaluated in a narrative analysis.

    Data sources

    The literature search was performed in four electronic databases in two searches, in 2014 and in 2017.

    Eligibility criteria (using PICO)

    Population: studies investigating employees at risk or diagnosed with CMD, as well as preventive workplace intervention targeting mental health. Intervention: studies where the recruitment or the intervention was delivered by the OHS or OHS personnel were included. Control: individuals or groups who did not receive the target intervention. Outcome: all types of outcomes concerning sickness absence and psychological health were included.

    Study quality was assessed using a Swedish AMSTAR-based checklist, and results from studies with low or medium risk of bias were narratively synthesized based on effect or absence thereof.

    Results

    Thirty-three studies were included and assessed for risk of bias. Twenty-one studies had low or medium risk of bias. In 18 studies, rehabilitation interventions were evaluated, 11 studies concerned interventions targeting employees at risk for developing CMD and four studies investigated preventive interventions. Work-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and problem-solving skill interventions decreased time to first return-to-work among employees on sick leave for CMD in comparison with treatment-as-usual. However, effect on return to full-time work was not consistent, and these interventions did not consistently improve CMD symptoms. Selective interventions targeting employees at risk of CMD and preventive interventions for employees were heterogeneous, so replication of these studies is necessary to evaluate effect.

    Limitations

    Other workplace interventions outside the OHS may have been missed by our search. There was considerable heterogeneity in the included studies, and most studies were investigating measures targeting the individual worker. Interventions at the workplace/organizational level were less common.

    Conclusions and implication of key findings

    Return-to-work and improvement of CMD symptoms are poorly correlated and should be addressed simultaneously in future interventions. Further, interventions for CMD administered through the occupational health service require further study. Rehabilitative and preventive strategies should be evaluated with scientifically robust methods, to examine the effectiveness of such interventions.

  • 15.
    Bakken, Anders Galaasen
    et al.
    Karolinska institutet.
    Eklund, Andreas
    Karolinska institutet.
    Warnqvist, Anna
    Karolinska institutet.
    O’Neill, Søren
    University Hospital of Southern Denmark.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Axén, Iben
    Karolinska institutet.
    Are changes in pain associated with changes in heart rate variability in patients treated for recurrent or persistent neck pain?2022In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, E-ISSN 1471-2474, Vol. 23, no 1, article id 895Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background

    Persistent or recurrent neck pain is associated with perturbations in the autonomic nervous system balance, and nociceptive stimulation has been seen to influence this balance. However, very few prospective studies have addressed the extent to which changes in pain associate with changes in autonomic cardiac regulation. Therefore, we investigated if changes in pain vary with changes in heart rate variability in a cohort of patients treated for persistent or recurrent neck pain.

    Method

    This analysis is based on data from a randomized controlled trial in which participants were given home stretching exercises with or without spinal manipulative therapy for two weeks. As the effectiveness of the intervention (home stretching exercises and spinal manipulative therapy) was found to be equal to the control (home stretching exercises alone), all 127 participants were studied as one cohort in this analysis. During the intervention, pain levels were recorded using daily text messages, and heart rate variability was measured in the clinics three times over two weeks. Two approaches were used to classify patients based on changes in pain intensity: 1) Clinically important changes in pain were categorized as either "improved" or "not improved" and, 2) Pain development was measured using pain trajectories, constructed in a data driven approach. The association of pain categories and trajectories with changes in heart rate variability indices over time were then analysed using linear mixed models.

    Results

    Heart rate variability did not differ significantly between improved and not-improved patients, nor were there any associations with the different pain trajectories.

    Conclusions

    In conclusion, changes in pain after home stretching exercises with or without spinal manipulative therapy over two weeks were not significantly associated with changes in heart rate variability for patients with persistent or recurrent neck pain. Future studies should rely on more frequent measurements of HRV during longer treatment periods.

    Trial registrationThe trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number: NCT03576846.

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  • 16.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos,.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos,.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos,.
    Effects of time in sitting and standing on pleasantness, acceptability, fatigue and pain when using a sit-stand table: an experiment on overweight and normal-weight subjects2020In: Journal of Physical Activity and Health, ISSN 1543-3080, E-ISSN 1543-5474, Vol. 17, no 12, p. 1222-1230Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Sit-stand desks have been suggested as an initiative to increase posture variation among office workers. However, there is limited evidence of what would be preferable combinations of time sitting and standing. The aim of this study was to determine and compare perceived pleasantness, acceptability, pain and fatigue for five time patterns of sitting and standing at a sit-stand desk.

    Methods: Thirty post-graduate students were equally divided into a normal-weight (mean BMI 22.8 kg/m2) and an overweight/obese (mean BMI 28.1 kg/m2) group. They performed 3 hours of computer work at a sit-stand desk on five different days, each day with a different time pattern (A: 60-min sit/0-min stand; B: 50/10; C: 40/20; D: 30/30; E: 20/40). Pleasantness, acceptability, pain and fatigue ratings were obtained at the beginning and at the end of the 3-hour period.

    Results: High ratings of pleasantness were observed for time patterns B, C and D in both groups. All participants rated acceptability to be good for time patterns A to D. A minor increase in perceived fatigue and pain was observed in time pattern E.

    Conclusion: For new sit-stand desk users, regardless of BMI, 10-30 min of standing per hour appears to be an amenable time pattern.

  • 17.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Srinivasan, Divya
    Department of Industrial Engineering, Clemson University, USA.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Effects on variation in shoulder, forearm and low back muscle activity from combining seated computer work with other productive office tasks: Results from a simulation study2022In: Ergonomics, ISSN 0014-0139, E-ISSN 1366-5847, Vol. 65, no 6, p. 815-827Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The effect on muscle activity variation of combining different office tasks is not known. We recorded electromyography from the upper trapezius (UT), wrist extensor (WE) and lumbar erector spinae (LES) in 24 office workers during five productive tasks, and breaks. Minute-to-minute variance was then estimated, by simulations, in a reference ‘job’ consisting of 85% sitting computer work and 15% breaks, and in ‘jobs’ where sitting computer work was replaced by different proportions of the other office tasks and breaks. Replacing sitting computer work with sitting non-computer work increased estimated variance by, in median, 23% (UT), 19% (WE) and 0% (LES). Replacing it by other tasks, in particular standing computer work and non-desk work, was less effective in increasing variance. Thus, some combinations of office tasks have a slight potential to increase muscle activity variation in the shoulder and lower arm, but not the lumbar back, while others will be ineffective.

  • 18.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    et al.
    Laboratory of Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    Laboratory of Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Srinivasan, Divya
    Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Laboratory of Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos.
    To Which Extent do Combinations of Office Tasks Influence Variation in Upper Extremity Muscle Activity? A Simulation Study2021In: Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association conference 2021, 2021Conference paper (Refereed)
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  • 19.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Brusaca, Luiz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Srinivasan, Divya
    Department of Industrial Engineering, Clemson University.
    Do sit-stand tables affect physical behavior and body composition similarly in normal-weight and overweight office workers? A pilot study2023In: IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, ISSN 2472-5838Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: A sit-stand table (SST) at work may help office workers shorten and break up sitting by periods of standing. However, it is not clear whether SST use influences sitting at and outside work to similar extents among normal-weight and overweight office workers, and whether it can change body composition.

    Purpose: To investigate if introducing SSTs affects physical behavior and body composition similarly in normal-weight and overweight office workers.

    Methods: In this pilot intervention study, physical behavior and body composition were evaluated and compared between normal-weight (n=8) and overweight (n=14) office workers, both before and after using a SST for 6 months. Time spent sitting, standing, and moving was recorded using a triaxial thigh accelerometer during work and leisure. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to determine fat, lean, and bone mass. Physical behavior and body composition data were both processed using compositional data analysis.

    Results: The intervention was similarly effective for normal weight and overweight workers in changing physical behavior during work, mainly by reducing sitting time and increasing standing time, while no effects were seen during leisure. We found no effect of the intervention on body composition.

    Conclusion: A sit-stand table intervention for 6 months changed physical behaviors at work to a similar extent among normal weight and overweight office workers. No compensatory behaviors were observed during leisure, and the intervention had no significant effects on body composition.

  • 20.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos.
    Srinivasan, Divya
    Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos.
    Neck, trunk, and upper arm posture variation during computer work at a sit-stand table in a real work setting2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Computer work is generally associated with constrained postures and sedentary behaviors. Sit-stand tables have been suggested as an effective intervention to promote changes in gross body posture, and thus reduce sitting. However, few studies have addressed to what extent sit-stand table usage affects posture variation in other body regions. The aim of this study was to examine neck, trunk and arm postures among office workers with access to sit-stand tables.

    Methods: Twenty-four office workers (16 females, 8 males; mean age 41 (SD9) years) participated. At entry, workers received sit-stand tables, which were then used for two months. Neck and trunk flexion, and right upper arm elevation (RUA) was recorded on three consecutive days, two hours/day, during the last week of table use. Minute-to-minute variability for the three postures during sitting (CWsit) and standing (CWstand) computer work was obtained for each participant. Job variance ratios (JVR) were calculated for the actual work, and for other combinations of CWsit and CWstand by simulation1.

    Results: CWsit and CWstand were performed for 72% and 28% of the time spent at the computer. Minute-to-minute variability was larger in CWsit than in CWstand for all three postures, and the difference CWsit-CWstand was largest for RUA [median 1.7 (IQR −0.2–1.7)º], followed by trunk [1.6 (0.9–3.0)º] and neck [0.9 (0.0–3.1)º]. During actual work, JVR was between 1 and 3 for most participants. Simulations suggested that maximum variability would occur at a combination of 40–80% CWsit and 20–60% CWstand.

    Conclusion: Neck, trunk and arm posture variation during computer work can be increased by manipulating proportions of time spent sitting and standing at a sit-stand table. The tentative “optimal” proportions reported here could be a benchmark for occupational health professionals.

  • 21.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Srinivasan, Divya
    Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Variation in upper extremity, neck and trunk postures when performing computer work at a sit-stand station2019In: Applied Ergonomics, ISSN 0003-6870, E-ISSN 1872-9126, Vol. 75, p. 120-128Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this study was to determine the extent of upper arm, neck and trunk posture variation that can be obtained by combining seated and standing computer work, compared to performing only seated computer work. Posture data were recorded for two hours during each of three days of ordinary work from 24 office workers that had been using a sit-stand station for two months. Periods with sitting and standing computer work were identified using on-site observations, and posture means and minute-to-minute variance were determined for both. Expected minute-to-minute posture variability in different temporal combinations of sitting and standing computer work were determined by simulation, and expressed in terms of a Job Variance Ratio, i.e. the relative increase in variability compared to sitting-only work. For all three postures, mean values differed between sitting and standing computer work, and both showed a notable minute-to-minute variability. For most workers, posture variability was larger when combining sitting and standing than when sitting only, and simulations suggested to introduce more standing than what the worker currently practiced. The results indicate that introducing a sit-stand table could, for most office workers, have a positive effect on upper arm, neck and trunk posture variability.

  • 22.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos.
    Srinivasan, Divya
    Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos.
    Variation in upper trapezius and wrist extensor EMG among office workers during sit-stand table use in a real work setting2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Computer work is generally associated with constrained postures and low muscular demands. Sit-stand tables have been suggested as an effective initiative to change working postures during computer work, but the effect of this intervention on muscle activation has rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to document variation in shoulder-arm muscle activation among office workers using sit-stand tables.

    Methods: Twenty-four office workers (16 females, 8 males; age 41±9 years) participated. At entry, workers received sit-stand tables and ergonomics information, and then used the table for two months. Muscle activity of right and left upper trapezius and wrist extensors (RUT, LUT, RWE and LWE, respectively) was recorded during three consecutive days (two hours each day) in the last week of sit-stand table usage. Periods of computer work in sitting and standing positions (CWsit and CWstand, respectively) were identified by on-site observation, and synchronized with the EMG recordings. Variability (min-min SD across 1-minute bins, %MVE) was calculated for each EMG recording in CWsit and CWstand.

    Results: During the 62 minutes of EMG recorded during computer work, CWsit was performed for 72% and CWstand for 28% of the time. The mean minute-to-minute variability of trapezius EMG was larger (P<0.05) during CWsit (RUT 3.9 (SD between workers 1.6) %MVE; LUT 3.9 (SD 2.3) %MVE) than CWstand (RUT 3.0 (SD 1.5) %MVE; LUT 3.2 (SD 1.9) %MVE). The mean minute-to minute variability in RWE was also larger during CWsit (3.3 (SD 1.4) %MVE) than CWstand (2.9 (SD 1.3) %MVE). For LWE, variability did not differ between CWsit and CWstand.

    Conclusion: Sitting and standing computer work was associated with different extents of variation in shoulder-arm muscle activity. Thus, sit-stand tables may introduce beneficial exposure variation into the work of office employees.

  • 23.
    Bergdahl, Magne Sthen
    et al.
    Umeå University; Norrlands University Hospital, Umeå.
    Crenshaw, Albert G.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Hedlund, Eva Rylander
    Karolinska institutet.
    Sjöberg, Gunnar
    Karolinska institutet.
    Rydberg, Annika
    Umeå University.
    Sandberg, Camilla
    Umeå University.
    Calf muscle oxygenation is impaired and may decline with age in young patients with total cavopulmonary connection2022In: Pediatric Cardiology, ISSN 0172-0643, E-ISSN 1432-1971, Vol. 43, p. 449-456Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Patients palliated with Total Cavopulmonary Connection have a lower muscle mass and a lower exercise capacity. We assessed calf muscle oxidative metabolism during and after heel raise exercise to exhaustion in young patients with TCPC compared to healthy peers. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used for measuring oxygen metabolism in the medial portion of the gastrocnemius muscle. Forty-three patients with TCPC, aged 6-18 years, were compared with 43 age and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Subgroups were formed to include children (6-12 years) and adolescents (13-18 years) to determine if these age groups influenced the results. During exercise, for the patients compared to controls there was a lower increase in deoxygenated hemoglobin (oxygen extraction) (5.13 ± 2.99au vs. 7.75 ± 4.15au, p = 0.001) and a slower rate of change in total hemoglobin (blood volume) (0.004 ± 0.015au vs 0.016 ± 0.01au, p = 0.001). Following exercise, patients exhibited a slower initial increase in tissue oxygenation saturation index (0.144 ± 0.11au vs 0.249 ± 0.226au, p = 0.007) and a longer half-time to maximum hyperemia (23.7 ± 11.4 s vs 16.8 ± 7.5 s, p = 0.001). On the subgroup level, the adolescents differed compared to healthy peers, whereas the children did not. Young patients with TCPC had impaired oxidative metabolism during exercise and required a longer time to recover. In that the differences were seen in the adolescent group and not in the children group may indicate a declining function with age.

  • 24.
    Berglund, Erik
    et al.
    Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Anderzén, Ingrid
    Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Andersén, Åsa
    Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Lindberg, Per
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Work-life balance predicted work ability two years later: A cohort study of employees in the Swedish energy and water sector2021In: BMC Public Health, E-ISSN 1471-2458, Vol. 21, no 1, article id 1212Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background Work-life balance (WLB) is the extent to which individual’s multiple life roles and demands carry over between each role. WLB can be divided into work interference with personal life (WIPL) and personal life interference with work (PLIW). This study aimed to investigate longitudinal associations between WIPL, PLIW and work ability outcomes.

    Methods In this cohort study, 224 employees in the energy and water sector in Sweden were followed-up over 2 years. Three questions derived from the Work Ability Index were used for measuring work ability outcome: current work ability compared with lifetime best; work ability regarding physical; and mental demands. Logistic regression models were used to analyse longitudinal associations between work ability and WIPL and WIPL respectively, controlling for workplace (company), position at work, experience of leadership quality, demographics, and work ability.

    Results Work ability compared to lifetime best were associated with WIPL in the adjusted logistic regression models (odds ratio (OR) 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–2.73), and PLIW (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.66–6.74). Work ability regarding physical demands was associated with WIPL (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.07–2.40). Work ability regarding mental demands was associated with WIPL (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.03–2.44) and PLIW (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.31–6.32).

    Conclusion In this two-year longitudinal study, lower WIPL predicted good/excellent overall work ability compared with lifetime best, higher work ability regarding physical and mental demands, and lower PLIW predicted good/excellent overall work ability compared with lifetime best and higher work ability regarding and mental demands.

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  • 25.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Ergonomic risk assessment of painters' work tasks - smoothing, sanding and painting2021Report (Other academic)
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  • 26.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Arbets- och miljömedicin.
    Anundi, Helena
    Rehfisch, Pia
    Palm, Peter
    Hälsoeffekter och förebyggande arbete vid vibrationsexponering i saneringsföretag2013Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    Den övergripande målsättningen med projektet var att få en ökad kunskap om hur saneringsföretag i Uppsala, Gävleborgs och Dalarnas län arbetar för att förebygga negativa hälsoeffekter av exponering av hand- arm vibrationer. Syftet med studien var att undersöka kunskapsläget angående risker med arbete med vibrerande verktyg, samarbetet med företagshälsovården och genomförande av medicinska kontroller hos saneringsföretag i regionen. Strukturerade telefonintervjuer med 15 saneringsföretag genomfördes. Ett samarbete med ett större saneringsföretag inleddes och medicinska undersökningar genomfördes på deras anställda av ergonom ute på arbetsplatsen. Aktiviteterna i projektet inspirerade företaget att själva initiera riskbedömningar och vibrationsmätningar som en start på ett eget förbättringsarbete. Intervjuerna visade att kunskapsläget i företagen angående regelverk och arbete med vibrerande verktyg var dåligt och trots att de flesta hade företagshälsovård så uttalades ett missnöje gentemot företagshälsovården angående stöd och information i dessa frågor. Bristfällig kunskap och svårigheter att tolka regelverket kan ligga bakom att det brister vad gäller riskbedömningar och lagstadgade medicinska kontroller i saneringsföretagen. Besvärsfrekvenserna i nacke och övre extremiteter hos sanerarna i det undersökta företaget var höga och det fanns också personer med tidiga tecken på kärl- och nervskador. Resultatet av det här projektet är ett litet komplement till den kunskap som redan finns på området men visar att det finns all anledning att lägga resurser på ett förebyggande arbete för den här yrkesgruppen som tidigare inte studerats i någon större utsträckning. Det finns ett outtalat behov av informations- och utbildningsinsatser på området som till stor del beror på okunskap hos företagen men kanske också hos företagshälsovården eftersom deras insatser ser ut att ha varit begränsade. En viktig följd av projektet var att det undersökta företaget på eget initiativ men med stöd av projektet initierade en arbetsgrupp och ett förebyggande arbete för att minska exponeringen för vibrationer. Detta arbete inkluderade riktlinjer för riskbedömningar och vibrationsmätningar av verktyg samt utbildning av ledning och personal. Projektets upplägg och innehåll lämpar sig således väl för att följas av företagshälsovård i deras arbete med att stötta sina kundföretag

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  • 27.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Haapakangas, Annu
    Faculty of Health and Well-being, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland.
    Larsson, Johan
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Jahncke, Helena
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Effects of relocation to activity-based workplaces on perceived productivity: importance of change-oriented leadership2021In: Applied Ergonomics, ISSN 0003-6870, E-ISSN 1872-9126, Vol. 93, p. 10-16, article id 103348Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Activity-based workplaces (ABWs) are becoming popular in Western countries and were implemented at four office sites of a large Swedish government agency. A fifth office was used as a control group. The study aim was to examine the effects of relocation to ABW on perceived productivity among employees and to determine if perceived change-oriented leadership behavior prior to relocation moderates potential effects. Data were collected three months prior to relocation, and three and 12 months after. 407 respondents were included in linear mixed regression models. Perceived productivity decreased significantly after relocation compared to the control group and these effects persisted 12 months after the relocation. However, the decrease in perceived productivity was significantly smaller among employees perceiving high change-oriented leadership before relocation. Our results point out the importance of a change-oriented leadership behavior during the implementation to avoid productivity loss among employees when implementing ABWs.

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  • 28.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Kjeldgård, Linnea
    Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
    Stigson, Helena
    Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
    Farrants, Kristin
    Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
    Friberg, Emilie
    Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
    Fall and collision related injuries among pedestrians, sickness absence and associations with accident type and occupation2023In: Journal of Safety Research, ISSN 0022-4375, E-ISSN 1879-1247, Vol. 86, p. 357-363Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives: This study explores pedestrian fall accidents and collisions with other road users in the Swedish road transport system, and sickness absence (SA) in relation to accident type, injury, and occupation. Further, it studies the associations between accident type, occupation, and duration of SA. Methods: Data from several national registers were used that included 15,359 working age pedestrians (20–64 years) receiving healthcare after a fall or collision throughout 2014–2016. Individual characteristics, accident type, injury, and occupation were presented and related to SA. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals, for associations between accident type, occupation, and SA duration. Results: About 11,000 pedestrians (72%) were involved in fall accidents in the road traffic environment and well over 4,000 in collisions with another road user; 22% of all injured pedestrians had a new SA. The population had a higher proportion of women and individuals in older age groups (≥45). Of the falls, 31% were due to snow or ice, and these were associated with a higher OR for both short SA (<90 days) 1.76 (95% CI 1.56–1.98) and long SA (≥90 days) 1.81 (95% CI 1.51–2.18), compared to the group slipping, tripping, and stumbling. The working sectors health & social care, and construction had the highest ORs for SA. A higher OR was found for health & social care, short SA 1.58 (95% CI 1.38–1.81), long SA 1.79 (95% CI 1.45–2.20) and for construction, short SA 1.56 (95% CI 1.24–1.96), long SA 1.75 (95% CI 1.26–2.44), compared to the sector finance, communication, & cultural service. Conclusions: The OR for having short and long SA was higher in falls due to snow or ice and differed between occupational sectors. Practical implications: This information contributes to the knowledge base for planning a safe road transport system for pedestrians.

  • 29.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Kristiansen, Lisbeth
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Caring Science, Caring Science.
    Ett hållbart arbetsliv genom riktade och samordnade insatser för individer med psykisk ohälsa i Ockelbo kommun2023Report (Other academic)
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  • 30.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, CBF. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, CBF. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    "Piloten" - Flygplanslastarprojektet2010Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    SAMMANFATTNING

    Detta pilotprojekt har utförts under våren 2010 på Arlandas terminal 4 av en ergonom (Eva Bergsten) vid Högskolan i Gävle, Centrum för Belastningsskadeforskning (CBF), på uppdrag av Transports yrkes- och arbetsmiljönämnd (TYA). Projektet var en förstudie till det större huvudprojektet "Skadefria flygplanslastare" som TYA under våren sökte och sedermera beviljades pengar för att genomföra.

    Huvudprojektets övergripande syfte är att kartlägga och beskriva flygplanslastarnas arbetsförhållanden utifrån ett ergonomiskt helhetsperspektiv med hänsyn tagen till fysiska, psykosociala, tekniska, organisatoriska och kognitiva faktorer vid ramp och sorteringsarbete.

    Syftet med pilotprojektet var att inför huvudprojektet

    • göra en litteratursammanställning på området: vad har man redan beforskat när det gäller flygplanslastning i Sverige och internationellt?
    • ta fram och testa frågeformulär och observationsmetoder för den större datainsamlingen i huvudprojektet
    • ta reda på vilka företagsdata som kan och bör samlas in i huvudprojektet

    En genomgång av publicerade artiklar och så kallad grå litteratur (ej vetskapligt granskade artiklar och rapporter) gjordes för att se vilken kunskap som redan finns på området, och för att identifiera kunskapsluckor inför den skarpa planeringen av huvudprojektet. En styrgrupp, en projektledare och en projektgrupp samt fyra mindre arbetsgrupper var redan tillsatta av TYA och Transportfacken med namngivna personer vilket underlättade uppdraget.

    Utifrån telefonkontakter, möten och intervjuer med nyckelpersoner i handlingbolag, på Transport, AFA, försäkringskassan och arbetsmiljöverket kunde väsentlig information inhämtas som fick ligga till grund för att sammanställa ett frågeformulär angående flygplanslastarnas fysiska och psykosociala arbetsförhållanden, baserat på vetenskapliga grunder. Frågeformuläret testades på ett 20-tal personer, lastare, skyddsombud, huvudskyddsombud och ombudsmän på Transport och reviderades därefter. Mycket och värdefull information om vilka relevanta företagsdata som finns tillgängliga och hos vilken aktör, och vilka som inte kan påräknas i huvudstudien, har också kunnat kartläggas.

    En genomgång av vetenskapliga observationsmetoder gjordes och en valdes ut för att testas vid lastning av en narrow body aircraft som metodmässigt bedömdes vara ett svårt arbetsmoment att observera och studera.

    Pilotprojektet har resulterat i basen till ett frågeformulär som dock fortfarande kan revideras om det vid samtal med de fyra arbetsgrupperna uppkommer relevanta tillägg. Observation av lastning och lossning av narrow body aircraft samt dokumentation med videokamera visade sig vara möjligt, och metoden som testades (REBA) kan användas för att komplettera de i huvudprojektet planerade heldagsmätningarna med teknisk utrustning av arbetsställningar.

    Litteraturgenomgången av 17 artiklar/rapporter som lokaliserats i en omfattande sökning visade att de största belastningsergonomiska riskerna i arbetet verkar uppstå i samband med att lasta och lossa en narrow body aircraft och det på grund av de trånga lastutrymmena som tvingar lastarna till ogynnsamma arbetsställningar. Det finns också några få studier som styrker att vissa hjälpmedel och arbetsmetoder skulle kunna minska antalet dåliga arbetsställningar, muskulär belastning, kompressionskrafter i ryggen och fysiologisk ansträngning, och att bagagets vikt har betydelse för belastningen. Däremot kan man inte i litteraturen finna några studier av hur olika organisatoriska lösningar påverkar lastarnas arbetsställningar och den belastning de i övrigt utsätts för. Enskilda arbetsmoment har studerats men ingen har tittat på hur belastningsmönstret ser ut för lastarna under ett helt arbetsskift.

    Besvärsfrekvensen bland flygplanslastare är, enligt den funna litteraturen hög vad gäller rygg, nacke, axlar och knän. Någon större kartläggning av detta eller hur sjukfrånvaron ser ut har inte gjorts i Sverige. Inte heller har man i Sverige eller något annat land tittat på psykosociala faktorer och dess betydelse för flygplanslastares arbetsförhållanden.

    Resultaten av det här pilotprojektet ligger till grund för de "kunskapsluckor" som vi rekommenderar (i Kapitel 4) att huvudstudien arbetar vidare med, i överensstämmelse med dess övergripande målsättning och den projektplan som tagits fram av projektgruppen.

  • 31.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Wijk, Katarina
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Centre for Research and Development, Region Gävleborg/Uppsala University .
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Implementation of Activity-Based Workplaces (ABW)—The Importance of Participation in Process Activities2022In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 19, no 21, article id 14338Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Relocation to new office solutions such as activity-based workplaces (ABW) has increased but satisfaction with the ABW among employees varies, and the importance of participation in the relocation process is unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between employees’ extent of participation in the implementation process activities and satisfaction with the relocation to ABW. Data were collected from 699 employees in a Swedish governmental agency 3-months prior to, 3-months and 9-months after relocation to the ABW. Questionnaires were used to assess participation in process activities and perceived satisfaction with knowledge about working in ABW, office rules, and information and support during the process. Participation in activities was significantly associated with higher overall satisfaction with knowledge, office rules, information and support, and effects were generally more pronounced as the number of attended activities increased. Satisfaction also increased among non-participants, although without reaching the same levels as participants. Our results show the importance to offer and facilitate a high participation in the relocation process activities to obtain satisfaction with a relocation to ABW.

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  • 32.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Wijk, Katarina
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Implementing Activity-based Workplaces (ABW) and the importance of participating in process activities2019Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 33.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Wijk, Katarina
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Centre for Research and Development, Region Gavleborg/Uppsala University; Uppsala University.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Relocation to activity-based workplaces (ABW) – importance of the implementation process2021In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 18, article id 11456Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Activity-based workplaces (ABW) have been implemented in many organizations to offer office flexibility and decrease facility costs. Evaluations of the ABW implementation process are rare. The study aimed to examine the ABW relocation process of two offices in a Swedish governmental agency and to explore factors that influence the implementation process and satisfaction with it. Qualitative or quantitative data were collected on process variables (context, recruitment, reach, dose delivered, dose received, satisfaction), barriers and facilitators to the process were explored in focus group interviews, and immediate outcomes (perceived knowledge, understanding office rules, satisfying information and support) were measured by questionnaire before and after the relocation. The evaluation showed that recruitment was unsatisfactory and reach insufficient—and participation in activities was thus low for both offices. However, intended changes improved. Unclear aims of ABW, lack of manager support and, lack of communication were some of the reported barriers to participation, while a well-planned process, work groups, and program activities were facilitators. Thus, to increase satisfaction with the relocation, our results suggest that recruitment should be thoroughly planned, taking these factors into account to increase participation. This knowledge may be useful for planning and designing successful ABW relocations and evaluations.

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  • 34.
    Bergsten, Eva L.
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Wijk, Katarina
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Centre for Research and Development, Region Gävleborg/Uppsala University.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    The important process when relocating to activity-based workplaces2022Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 35.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Gustafsson, Klas
    Karolinska institutet.
    Aboagye, Emmanuel
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Marklund, Staffan
    Karolinska institutet.
    Aronsson, Gunnar
    Stockholms universitet.
    Björklund, Christina
    Karolinska institutet.
    Leineweber, Constanze
    Stockholms universitet.
    A resourceful work environment moderates the relationship between presenteeism and health. A study using repeated measures in the Swedish working population2020In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 17, no 13, article id 4711Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The objective of this study was to investigate if the psychosocial work environment moderates the proposed negative impact of presenteeism on future general health. We expect that the negative impact of presenteeism on general health is weaker if the psychosocial work environment is resourceful, and more pronounced if the environment is stressful. Data were derived from the 2008&ndash;2018 biennial waves of the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH). The final analytic sample consisted of n = 15,779 individuals. We applied repeated measures regression analyses through generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results from the autoregressive GEE models showed statistically significant interaction terms between presenteeism and all four investigated moderators, i.e., job demands, job control, job support and job strain. The results indicate that the psychosocial work environment moderates the negative association between presenteeism and general health and illustrates a buffering effect of the psychosocial work environment. A possible explanation for these results may be that psychosocially resourceful work environments give room for adjustments in the work situation and facilitate recovery. The results also indicate that by investing the psychosocial work environment employers may be able to promote worker health as well as prevent reduced job performance due to presenteeism.

  • 36.
    Berthelsen, Hanne
    et al.
    Malmö University.
    Muhonen, Tuija
    Malmö University.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Westerlund, Hugo
    Stockholm University.
    Dollard, Maureen F.
    University of South Australia.
    Benchmarks for Evidence-Based Risk Assessment with the Swedish Version of the 4-Item Psychosocial Safety Climate Scale2020In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 17, no 22, article id 8675Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of the present study was to validate the short version of The Psychosocial Safety Climate questionnaire (PSC-4, Dollard, 2019) and to establish benchmarks indicating risk levels for use in Sweden. Cross-sectional data from (1) a random sample of employees in Sweden aged 25&ndash;65 years (n = 2847) and (2) a convenience sample of non-managerial employees from 94 workplaces (n = 3066) were analyzed. Benchmarks for three PSC risk levels were developed using organizational compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulations as criterion. The results support the validity and usefulness of the Swedish PSC-4 as an instrument to indicate good, fair, and poor OSH practices. The recommended benchmark for indicating good OSH practices is an average score of &gt;12.0, while the proposed cutoff for poor OSH practices is a score of &le;8.0 on the PSC-4. Scores between these benchmarks indicate fair OSH practices. Furthermore, aggregated data on PSC-4 supported its reliability as a workplace level construct and its association with quantitative demands, quality of leadership, commitment to the workplace, work engagement, job satisfaction, as well as stress and burnout. Thus, the Swedish version of PSC-4 can be regarded as a valid and reliable measure for both research and practical use for risk assessment at workplaces.

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  • 37.
    Berthelsen, Hanne
    et al.
    Malmö universitet.
    Westerlund, Hugo
    Stockholms universitet.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Burr, Hermann
    Federal Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), 10317 Berlin, Germany.
    Validation of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire Version III and Establishment of Benchmarks for Psychosocial Risk Management in Sweden.2020In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 17, no 9, article id E3179Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study presents the Swedish standard version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, COPSOQ III, and investigates its reliability and validity at individual and workplace levels with the aim of establishing benchmarks for the psychosocial work environment. Cross-sectional data from (1) a random sample of employees in Sweden aged 25-65 years (N = 2847) and (2) a convenience sample of non-managerial employees at 51 workplaces (N = 1818) were analysed. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated as well as the effects of sex, work sector and blue/white-collar work. Population benchmarks and mean scores for major occupational groups were computed based on weighted data. ICC(1) and ICC(2) estimates were computed to evaluate aggregation to the workplace level and Pearson inter-correlations to evaluate construct validity at individual and aggregated levels. The reliability and scale characteristics were satisfactory, with few exceptions, at both individual and workplace levels. The strength and direction of correlations supported the construct validity of the dimensions and the amount of variance explained by workplace justified aggregation to the workplace level. The present study thus supports the use of COPSOQ III for measurement at the workplace level and presents benchmarks for risk management as well as for research purposes.

  • 38.
    Bjärntoft, Sofie
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Larsson, Johan
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Jahncke, Helena
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Occupational and individual determinants of work-life balance among office workers with flexible work arrangements2020In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 17, no 4, article id 1418Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Flexible work arrangements permitting workers to work anytime and anywhere are increasingly common. This flexibility can introduce both challenges and opportunities for the organisation, as well as for worker work-life balance (WLB). This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the extent to which occupational factors (organizational, leadership and psychosocial) and individual work-related behaviours (over-commitment, overtime work and boundary management) are associated with WLB, and whether these associations are modified by the perceived level of flexibility at work (i.e., control over when, where, and how to do the work). In total, 2960 full-time office workers with flexible work arrangements at the Swedish Transport Administration participated. Associations were determined using linear regression analyses with adjustment for covariates. The strongest negative associations with WLB were found for over-commitment, quantitative job demands, expectations of availability, and overtime work. Strongest positive associations were found for boundary management, information about organizing work, social support, and relation-oriented leadership. Perceived flexibility was positively associated with WLB, and interacted with several of the examined factors, buffering their negative associations with WLB. Results suggest that WLB can be promoted by organizational initiatives focusing on minimizing excessive job demands, increasing psychosocial resources, supporting boundary management, and enhancing perceived flexibility.

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  • 39.
    Bjärntoft, Sofie
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Zetterberg, Camilla
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Larsson, Johan
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Luleå University of Technology; LKAB, Gällivare.
    Edvinsson, Johanna
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Jahncke, Helena
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    A participatory approach to identify key areas for sustainable work environment and health in employees with flexible work arrangements2021In: Sustainability, E-ISSN 2071-1050, Vol. 13, no 24, article id 13593Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Flexible work arrangements are common worldwide, but knowledge on how to achieve a sustainable work environment is sparse. The aim of this study was to use a participatory approach to identify concrete suggestions and key areas for improvement that were considered relevant, effective, and feasible for promoting good work environment and health at organizational, work group and individual level (O-G-I), among office employees with flexible work arrangements. Eight focus group interviews (including 45 employees) were conducted in a large Swedish government agency in 2017. By using a Tree diagram approach, employees made a total of 279 suggestions for improvements, which were sorted into O-G-I levels and mapped into 18 key areas. We found that 13 key areas addressed organizational level (e.g., improving leadership, policy, job demands, and work efficiency), two key areas addressed group level (create common rules of availability and activity-based working), and three key areas addressed individual level (e.g., individuals’ responsibility to clearly communicate their availability). The participatory process was effective in obtaining concrete suggestions and key areas in need of improvement, which may provide an action plan that can guide organizations in developing interventions to promote good work environment and health in flexible work. 

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  • 40.
    Bjärntoft, Sofie
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Brulin, Emma
    Karolinska Institute .
    Rudolfsson, Thomas
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Effects of a participative workplace intervention intended to change work strategies and expectations of availability among office-based employees with flexible work arrangements2023In: IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, ISSN 2472-5838Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Flexible work arrangements (FWA) are common, but knowledge on how to organize flexible work to reduce negative consequences and preserve positive aspects is currently sparse, which hampers organizational initiatives.  

    Purpose: This study aimed at determining the extent to which work strategies, work-related ICT use outside regular working hours (i.e., use of laptop, tablet, or smartphone, to handle information and facilitate communication), productivity, expectations of availability, and clarity of expectations about availability, had changed among office-based employees with FWA two and four months after a participative two-step workplace intervention.

    Methods: An intervention group (n=97) was compared to a control group working as usual (n=70). The intervention, initiated and approved by the top management of the organization, included individual education intended to change work strategies, and workshops developing common rules and routines for FWA within the work group.

    Results: Participants were satisfied with the intervention and reported larger changes than the control group in work strategies. No statistically significant effects were, however, found on ICT use, productivity, or expectations of availability.

    Conclusions: This participative workplace intervention was successful in changing employees work strategies but may not be effective in influencing ICT use outside regular working hours, productivity, expectations of availability, and clarity of expectations about availability.

  • 41.
    Björk Brämberg, E
    et al.
    Karolinska institutet.
    Arapovic-Johansson, B
    Karolinska institutet.
    Bültmann, U
    University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
    Svedberg, P
    Karolinska institutet.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Prevention of sick leave at the workplace: design of a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a problem-solving intervention among employees with common mental disorders2021In: BMC Public Health, E-ISSN 1471-2458, Vol. 21, article id 1756Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders are highly prevalent in the working population, affecting about 1 in 5 persons in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. About 30% of those affected have a first period of sick leave. Despite several attempts to reduce the risk of sick leave among employees with common mental disorders, there is a lack of knowledge about effective, preventive interventions which aim to reduce such risks. This protocol describes the design of a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention delivered by first-line managers to employees with common mental disorders on the prevention of sick leave during the 12-month follow-up.

    METHODS/DESIGN: The study applies a two-armed cluster-randomized trial design of a problem-solving intervention conducted in private-sector companies. First-line managers are randomized into intervention- or control groups by computer-generated random numbers, allocation ratio 1:1. Employees are eligible if at risk for future sick leave due to common mental disorders. These are identified by self-reported psychological health measured by the General Health Questionnaire 12-item, cut-off ≥3, or a positive answer to risk of sick leave. The intervention is based on problem-solving principles. It involves the training of the first-line managers who then deliver the intervention to employees identified at risk of sick leave. First-line managers in the control group receives a lecture. Primary outcome is number of registered days of sick leave due to common mental disorders during the 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are general health, psychological symptoms, work performance, work ability and psychosocial work environment. A process evaluation will examine the intervention's reach, fidelity, dose delivered, dose received, satisfaction and context. Research assistants managing the screening procedure, outcome assessors and employees are blinded to randomization and allocation.

    DISCUSSION: The study includes analyses of the intervention's effectiveness and an alongside process evaluation. Methodological strengths and limitations, for example the risk of selection bias, attrition and risk of contamination are discussed.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04975750 Date of registration: 08/16/2021.

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  • 42.
    Björklund, Martin
    et al.
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Svedmark, Åsa
    Rudolfsson, Thomas
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Djupsjöbacka, Mats
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Cervico-thoracic and cranio-cervical strength differences between women with and without neck pain and the diagnostic performance of neck-strength tests2019In: World Confederation for physical Therapy Congress 2019, Geneva 10-13 May, 2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Cervical strength and stability is often addressed in rehabilitation of people with neck pain. These functions may be associated with emergence and retention of neck pain in cases where the neck strength does not meet daily demands. However, clear empiric support for these notions are lacking, partly due to a scarcity of well controlled dynamometry studies with large samples. First, clarification is needed whether neck strength is in fact reduced in people with neck pain and to resolve the diagnostic performance of neck strength tests.

    Purpose: To compare neck muscle strength of women with non-specific long-term neck pain and healthy controls. Also, to assess the diagnostic performance of neck strength tests by assessing their discriminative ability to discern women with and without neck pain.

    Methods: The study had a cross-sectional design with data on cervical strength derived from the baseline measurement of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). 80 women with long-term non-specific neck pain (NP) were compared with 40 healthy women (CON). The NP group was a subsample from the RCT selected so that there were no group differences (NP-CON) for body weight and physical activity. Cervical strength assessment included dynamometry of cervico-thoracic extension (CTE) and flexion (CTF) in sitting and cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) in standing, all performed with isometric maximum voluntary contraction (iMVC). Independent samples Mann-Whitney U test and T-test were used to assess group differences for iMVC of the tests. Diagnostic accuracy was further assessed with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve by plotting the true positive rate (sensitivity) as a function of the false positive rate (1 - specificity). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval was used to determine discriminative ability of the tests. The optimal cut-off value to discern NP from CON with corresponding sensitivity and specificity was also determined.

    Results: Women with neck pain produced significant lower iMVC in CTE (28%), CTF (26%) and CCF (33%) (all p< 0.001). The ability of CTE, CTF and CCF to discriminate between NP and CON showed moderate accuracy (AUC 0.83, 0.78 and 0.73, respectively). The cut-off value of 165.7 N in CTE had a sensitivity of 0.725 and a specificity of 0.8. The corresponding values for CTF and CCF were 85.8 N (sensitivity 0.8; specificity 0.692) and 4.2 Nm (sensitivity 0.575; specificity 0.9).

    Conclusion(s): The neck pain group had less neck muscle strength than controls in all tests. The diagnostic performance of the neck strength tests, judged as discriminative ability to discern neck pain from control participants, were moderate. These results support earlier findings of reduced neck strength in people with neck pain. Also, neck strength tests may have a complementary value in the assessment of neck pain persons.

    Implications: The results highlights that impaired neck strength, both in global cervico-thoracic and deep cranio-cervical muscles, is most likely a characteristic of people with long-term neck pain. The study also shows that strength tests could be used with fairly good discriminative precision and may thereby be valuable assessment tools.

  • 43.
    Bohman, Tony
    et al.
    Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Bottai, Matteo
    Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Björklund, Martin
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Predictive models for short-term and long-term improvement in women under physiotherapy for chronic disabling neck pain: a longitudinal cohort study2019In: BMJ Open, E-ISSN 2044-6055, Vol. 9, no 4, article id e024557Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives To develop predictive models for short-term and long-term clinically important improvement in women with non-specific chronic disabling neck pain during the clinical course of physiotherapy. Design Longitudinal cohort study based on data from a randomised controlled trial evaluating short-term and long-term effects on sensorimotor function over 11 weeks of physiotherapy. Participants and settings Eighty-nine women aged 31-65 years with non-specific chronic disabling neck pain from Gavle, Sweden. Measures The outcome, clinically important improvement, was measured with the Patient Global Impression of Change Scale (PGICS) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI), assessed by self-administered questionnaires at 3, 9 and 15 months from the start of the interventions (baseline). Twelve baseline prognostic factors were considered in the analyses. The predictive models were built using random-effects logistic regression. The predictive ability of the models was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Internal validity was assessed with cross-validation using the bootstrap resampling technique. Results Factors included in the final PGICS model were neck disability and age, and in the NDI model, neck disability, depression and catastrophising. In both models, the odds for short-term and long-term improvement increased with higher baseline neck disability, while the odds decreased with increasing age (PGICS model), and with increasing level of depression (NDI model). In the NDI model, higher baseline levels of catastrophising indicated increased odds for short-term improvement and decreased odds for long-term improvement. Both models showed acceptable predictive validity with an AUC of 0.64 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.73) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.75), respectively. Conclusion Age, neck disability and psychological factors seem to be important predictors of improvement, and may inform clinical decisions about physiotherapy in women with chronic neck pain. Before using the developed predictive models in clinical practice, however, they should be validated in other populations and tested in clinical settings.

  • 44.
    Boström, Maria
    et al.
    Karolinska institutet.
    Björklund, Christina
    Karolinska institutet.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Nybergh, Lotta
    Karolinska institutet.
    Schäfer Elinder, Liselotte
    Karolinska institutet.
    Stigmar, Kjerstin
    Lunds universitet.
    Wåhlin, Charlotte
    Karolinska institutet; Linköpings universitet.
    Jensen, Irene
    Karolinska institutet.
    Kwak, Lydia
    Karolinska institutet.
    Health and work environment among female and male Swedish elementary school teachers - A cross-sectional study2020In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 17, no 1, article id E227Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Changes in teachers' work situation in Sweden since the 1990s may have contributed to an increase in common mental disorders (CMDs) and burnout. However, there is a lack of research in this field. The aim was to describe how Swedish elementary school teachers experience their health, organizational and social work environment, and the psychosocial safety climate at the workplace, and especially differences and similarities between female and male teachers.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected with the COPSOQ, OLBI, UWES and PSC-12 from 478 elementary teachers, 81.0% of them women, from twenty schools. The response rate was 96.4%.

    RESULTS: Teachers reported relatively good general health but experienced high stress, high work pace and emotional demands, low influence at work and a poor psychosocial safety climate. These factors were especially prominent among female teachers. Both women and men experienced good development possibilities and high work engagement.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can help us to develop a more sustainable work environment for female and male teachers. A more sustainable work environment might attract more people to the profession and incentivize existing teachers to remain in the profession.

  • 45.
    Brulin, Emma
    et al.
    Stockholms universitet; Karolinska institutet.
    Bjärntoft, Sofie
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Bergström, Gunnar
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research. Karolinska institutet.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Gendered associations of flexible work arrangement and perceived flexibility with work–life interference: a cross-sectional mediation analysis on office workers in Sweden2023In: Social Indicators Research, ISSN 0303-8300, E-ISSN 1573-0921, Vol. 167, p. 571-588Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Flexible work arrangements (FWA) may be beneficial for increasing perceived flexibility (i.e. control over when, where and how to work) and reducing interference between work and private-life, but knowledge of gendered patterns of these relationships is sparse. Drawing on gender theory, the aim of this study was to conduct gender-differentiated analyses of the associations between FWA (non-regulated work or flex-time) and work–life interference using perceived flexibility as a mediator. Survey data were collected in 2016 from a sample of 2614 employees in the Swedish Transport Administration (response rate 67%). The sample included 39.6% women and 60.4% men, 71.7% had non-regulated work and 28.3% flex-time. Associations were determined using linear mixed models and mediation analysis. Results indicated a beneficial effect of non-regulated work (referencing flex-time) on work–life interference through an increase in perceived flexibility. The indirect effect of FWA was pronounced and statistically significant in the total sample, as well as in men and women. However, in men, non-regulated work was associated with a statistically significant increase in interference (competitive mediation). Gender did not interact significantly with work arrangement nor with perceived flexibility. In conclusion, the type of FWA can result in different perceptions of flexibility which in turn may affect experiences of work–life interference. Furthermore, it should be acknowledged that both FWAs and flexibility may be experienced differently for men and women regarding interference. Thus, employers seeking to reduce employee interference should consider gender norms and individual needs.

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  • 46.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Holtermann, Andreas
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Physical behaviours in Brazilian office workers working from home during the COVID‐19 pandemic, compared to before the pandemic: A compositional data analysis2021In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1661-7827, E-ISSN 1660-4601, Vol. 18, no 12, article id 6278Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Work from home has increased greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and concerns have been raised that this would change physical behaviours. In the present study, 11 Brazilian office workers (five women, six men; mean [SD] age 39.3 [9.6] years) wore two triaxial accelerometers fixed on the upper back and right thigh continuously for five days, including a weekend, before COVID-19 (September 2019), and again while working at home during COVID-19 (July 2020). We determined time used in five behaviours: sedentary, standing, light physical activity (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA), and time-in-bed. Data on these behaviours were processed using Compositional Data Analysis, and behaviours observed pre-COVID19 and during-COVID19 were compared using repeated-measures MANOVA. On workdays during-COVID19, participants spent 667 minutes sedentary, 176 standing, 74 LPA, 51 MVPA and 472 time-in-bed; corresponding numbers pre-COVID were 689, 180, 81, 72 and 418 minutes. Tests confirmed that less time was spent in bed pre-COVID19 (log-ratio -0.12 [95%CI -0.19; -0.08]) and more time in MVPA (log-ratio 0.35, [95%CI 0.08; 0.70]). Behaviours during the weekend changed only marginally. While small, this study is the first to report objectively measured physical behaviours during workdays as well as weekends in the same subjects before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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  • 47.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    et al.
    Laboratory of Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    Laboratory of Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Holtermann, Andreas
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen.
    Oliveira, Rafael Veiga
    Laboratory of Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Laboratory of Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Effects of Working From Home During the Covid-19 Pandemic on Physical Behaviors Among Office Workers in Brazil2021In: Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association conference 2021, 2021Conference paper (Refereed)
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  • 48.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Januario, Leticia
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Gupta, Nidhi
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Working at the office or from home during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of temporal patterns of sitting and non-sitting among normal-weight and overweight Brazilian office workers2023In: Journal of Activity, Sedentary and Sleep Behaviors, ISSN 2731-4391, Vol. 2, article id 28Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: This study documents and compares temporal patterns of physical behaviours, assessed using accelerometry, on working and non-working days among normal-weight (body mass index [BMI] <25 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) office workers who were either working exclusively at the office (WAO) or exclusively from home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Methods: In this cross-sectional study, behaviours were measured over 7 days using a thigh-worn accelerometer in 43 workers WAO (21 normal-weight and 22 overweight) and 73 workers WFH (33 normal-weight and 40 overweight). 24-hour behaviours were completely described in terms of sitting in short (≤5 min), moderate (>5 and ≤30 min) and long bouts (>30 min), non-sitting in short (≤5 min) and long bouts (>5 min), and time-in-bed. These behaviour compositions were transformed into five isometric log-ratios (ilr) coordinates according to compositional data analysis procedures. Differences between workplace (WAO vs. WFH) and BMI groups (normal-weight vs. overweight) were tested using ANCOVA with adjustment for age and gender.

    Results: Compared to workers WAO, workers WFH spent more time-in-bed relative to time awake during working days, more time sitting relative to non-sitting, less time in short bouts of sitting relative to moderate and long bouts, less time in moderate bouts of sitting relative to long bouts, and more time non-sitting in short bouts relative to long bouts. Effect sizes [ηp2] were between 0.05 and 0.21 and p-values between <0.001 and 0.04. Irrespective of workplace, overweight workers spent less time sitting in short relative to moderate and long bouts (ηp2=0.06, p=0.01) than normal-weight workers, while differences in the other ilr coordinates were insignificant. During non-working days, behaviours did not differ significantly by workplace, while overweight workers spent more time sitting relative to non-sitting (ηp2=0.10, p<0.001), less time sitting in short relative to moderate and long bouts (ηp2=0.13, p<0.001), and less time sitting in moderate relative to long bouts (ηp2=0.04, p=0.03) than normal-weight workers. We found no interactions between workplace and BMI.

    Conclusions: Our findings suggest that WFH and being overweight predispose to more time sitting and less temporal variation in behaviours, thus reinforcing that these workers could likely benefit from interventions to reduce prolonged sitting time and increase variation.

  • 49.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Januario, Leticia
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Oliveira, Rafael
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Heiden, Marina
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    24-hour compositions of physical (in)activity among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison between Brazil and Sweden2022In: Proceedings of the ICAMPAM2022 conference, 2022Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Sedentary behavior (SED) has generally increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in people working from home, and physical activity (PA) has therefore decreased. However, it is unclear whether the pandemic has affected office workers in different countries in the same way. We aimed to compare the 24-hour time-use compositions of physical behaviors between Brazilian and Swedish office workers at working and non-working days during the pandemic. Methods: Physical behaviors were monitored over 7 days using thigh-worn accelerometer in 73 Brazilian and 202 Swedish workers. Daily time-use compositions were exhaustively described in terms of SED in short (<30 min) and long (≥30 min) bouts, light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and time-in-bed (TIB). Following a compositional data analysis, isometric log-ratios (ilr) were calculated to express the ratio of TIB to time spent awake, SED (short and long bouts) relative to LPA and MVPA, SED in short relative to long bouts, and LPA relative to MVPA. We examined differences between countries using MANOVA, followed by univariate post-hoc tests of pairwise differences. Results: Both groups spent most of their time SED and in bed. On working days, Brazilian workers spent 294 min in SED in short bouts, 477 min in SED in long bouts, 157 min in LPA, 50 min in MVPA and 461 min TIB; Swedes spent 274, 365, 257, 86 and 458 min, respectively. During non-working days, results were 279, 359, 237, 61 and 504 min among Brazilians and 263, 251, 305, 93 and 529 min among Swedes.  Brazilians and Swedes differed significantly in the set of ilrs as a whole during working (p < 0.001) and non-working days (p < 0.001) and in all pairwise comparisons, except for the ratio of TIB to time spent awake during non-working days. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic Brazilian and Swedish office workers behaved differently. Whether this relates to restrictions being different or to differences even before the pandemic is not clear.

  • 50.
    Brusaca, Luiz Augusto
    et al.
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Januario, Leticia
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Mathiassen, Svend Erik
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Barbieri, Dechristian
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Oliveira, Rafael
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Heiden, Marina
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Oliveira, Ana Beatriz
    Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos.
    Hallman, David
    University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Occupational Health Science. University of Gävle, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.
    Sedentary behaviour, physical activity, and sleep among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison of Brazil and Sweden2022In: BMC Public Health, E-ISSN 1471-2458, Vol. 22, article id 2196Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical behaviours of office workers worldwide, but studies comparing physical behaviours between countries with similar restrictions policies are rare. This study aimed to document and compare the 24-hour time-use compositions of physical behaviours among Brazilian and Swedish office workers on working and non-working days during the pandemic.

    Methods: Physical behaviours were monitored over 7 days using thigh-worn accelerometers in 73 Brazilian and 202 Swedish workers. Daily time-use compositions were exhaustively described in terms of sedentary behaviour (SED) in short (<30 min) and long (≥30 min) bouts, light physical activity (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and time-in-bed. We examined differences between countries using MANOVA on data processed according to compositional data analysis. As Swedish workers had the possibility to do hybrid work, we conducted a set of sensitivity analyses including only data from days when Swedish workers worked from home.

    Results: During working days, Brazilian office workers spent more time SED in short (294 min) and long (478 min) bouts and less time in LPA (156 min) and MVPA (50 min) than Swedish workers (274, 367, 256 and 85 min, respectively). Time spent in bed was similar in both groups. Similar differences between Brazilians and Swedes were observed on non-working days, while workers were, in general, less sedentary, more active and spent more time-in-bed than during working days. The MANOVA showed that Brazilians and Swedes differed significantly in behaviours during working (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.36) and non-working days (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.20). Brazilian workers spent significantly more time in SED relative to being active, less time in short relative to long bouts in SED, and more time in LPA relative to MVPA, both during workdays and non-workdays. Sensitivity analyses only on data from days when participants worked from home showed similar results.

    Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic Brazilian office workers were more sedentary and less active than Swedish workers, both during working and non-working days. Whether this relates to the perception or interpretation of restrictions being different or to differences present even before the pandemic is not clear, and we encourage further research to resolve this important issue.

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