RESEARCH REPORT POSTER DISPLAY

NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS IN THE TRUNK AND UPPER EXTREMITIES AMONG PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES IN SWEDEN. Åström C¹, Rehn B¹, Ahlgren C¹, Sundelin G; ¹Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Sweden

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk of musculoskeletal, neurological and vascular symptoms in various regions of the trunk and upper extremities among professional drivers of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). RELEVANCE: ATVs operate in irregular terrain which generates whole-body vibration through the seat as well as hand-arm vibration through the steering devices. Professional drivers of ATVs are therefore highly exposed to vibration and shock and other ergonomic risk factors associated with driving, which may cause various symptoms in the trunk, neck and upper extremities. PARTICIPANTS: 875 registred drivers of ATVs (forest machines, snowmobiles and snowgroomers) and a control group consisting of 800 males, with an age restriction 20-60 years. All participants were working in the northern part of Sweden. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study a self-administered questionnaire was sent to the participants. The response rates were between 65-75%. The responders reported symptoms from the lower back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers (one-year prevalence according to the Nordic Questionnaire). Information was also collected about exposure and nicotine habits. ANALYSIS: Prevalence and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and shoulder were higher among ATV drivers compared to control group (60% compared to 30%). The prevalence of back pain was similar among drivers and controls (40%). The professional drivers show increased risks for some typical neurological and vascular symptoms in hands and fingers. CONCLUSIONS: Professional drivers of ATVs show, in general, increased risks for musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders and in some cases also the elbows and wrists. The drivers do not show increased risk for pain in the lower back, which was contradictory to what could have been expected based on information from other studies. The increased risk for neurological and vascular symptoms in hands and fingers suggest that there is a possible association between exposure to hand-arm vibration generated from steering devices and symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome. IMPLICATIONS: Neuromusculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulder, hands and fingers may be associated with occupational driving of ATVs. However, more studies are required to further investigate the role of vibration exposure. KEYWORDS: Musculoskeletal, vibration, neck. FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Centre for Environmental Research in Umeå (CMF) and National Institute for Working Life (NIWL), Sweden. CONTACT: charlotte.astrom@physiother.umu.se

ETHICS COMMITTEE: Ethical Committe at Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden