ANALYSIS OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PALMAR GRIP STRENGTH, PAIN BIOMECHANIC RISK AND UPPER LIMBS DYSFUNCTION IN WORKERS OF A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

• Grant number: 22/08003-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Marisa de Cássia Registro Fonseca
• Grantee: Isabela Sales Bignotto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The upper limb is an essential segment for carrying out activities of daily living, work and leisure. Pain and loss of function in this segment are commonly observed in workers, who can progress to Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)/Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMD). In Brazil, the physical, biomechanical and psychosocial demands related to work are high and intense, which impacts directly on the workers' health. The etiology of musculoskeletal disorders is multifactorial, because the risk factors interact with each other and must be analyzed in an integrated manner. Observational and self-report questionnaires, strength testing, mapping and pain assessment alongside with ergonomics assessment contribute to a broad view of possible biomechanical risks so that actions can be taken. This study aims to analyze the correlation between the grip strength, pain, ergonomic risk and dysfunction of employees at a tertiary hospital with complaints and symptoms on the neck and upper limbs. It's a cross-sectional observational study. The sample consists of workers from the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. This project will use self-reported questionnaires Quick-DASH, NDI-Br, PSFS-Br, NMQ, the Numeric Rating Scale for pain and observational questionnaires HARM and RULA and the handgrip strength test. To perform the statistical data, SPSS software will be used. A moderate association is expected between hand grip strength and upper limb pain and dysfunction.