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Showing 3 results for Safari Variani
Sara Tabanfar, Ali Safari Variani, Seyvan Sobhani, Sakineh Varmazyar,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (Spring 2022)
Abstract
Background: Long-term computer use as an ergonomics risk factor can generate musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the neck. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a self-management exercises intervention on both neck pain, and head and neck angles among university employees in 2021.
Materials & Methods: This experimental study was performed on 85 university staff (experimental group (N=42) and control group (N=43)) who were randomly selected based on inclusion criteria from the list of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (Iran) employees. The experimental group did the exercises for 12 weeks with five 15-minute sessions per week. The severity of neck pain was determined using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Head and neck angles were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks using photogrammetry and Kinovea software in two postures (reading and typing).
Results: About 60% of the participants in the experimental group reported moderate and severe neck pain, decreasing to 26.2% after the intervention. The score of neck pain intensity in the experimental group decreased in the range of 1.15-1.75. The head and gaze tilt angles and head forward position after the intervention in the experimental group showed a significant decrease. Also, the head tilt angle was significantly increased after the intervention.
Conclusions: The results showed that exercises could be beneficial in improving the posture of the head and neck, which caused reducing the severity of neck pain among computer users.
Faeze Dehghan Banadaki, Ali Safari Variani, Sakineh Varmazyar,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Background: Shiftwork among industrial workers can lead to poor sleep quality, which in turn is related to occupational fatigue. This study aimed to predict the sleep quality of industrial workers with rotating shifts based on occupational fatigue using structural equation modeling.
Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 208 production line workers in a food industry of Alborz province, Iran, in the year 2022. Participants were selected by the census method. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI), and occupational recovery (OFER-15). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to investigate the association between the latent variables of occupation fatigue and sleep quality.
Results: About 74% of workers in all three subscales (chronic, acute, and recovery) reported moderate or high fatigue. In seven subscales related to sleep quality, approximately 22.6-32.2% of workers in the subscales of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction reported poor or very poor quality. The results indicated a significant and negative association between occupational fatigue and the sleep quality of workers. The model presented in this study indicated that occupational fatigue could predict 22% of sleep quality among industrial workers (R2=0.22, β=-0.47, t-value=-4.37).
Conclusions: According to the results of structural association between latent variables, decreasing occupational fatigue could improve sleep quality among one-fifth of industrial workers. Therefore, identifying effective factors and corrective strategies for removing occupational fatigue plays an important role in promoting the sleep quality of rotating shift workers.
Sara Tabanfar, Seyvan Sobhani, Ali Safari Variani, Sakineh Varmazyar,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (Autumn 2023)
Abstract
Background: Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of strengthening the neck muscles on pain prevalence and neck disability among office workers.
Materials & Methods: This interventional study was performed among 85 University office workers (female=50 and male=35). Participants were randomly divided into the two groups (exercise group=42 subjects and control group=43 subjects). The exercise intervention was performed for 12 weeks, five sessions per week, and each session lasted approximately 15 minutes in the experimental group. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks: demographic questionnaire, Nordic questionnaire for measuring neck pain prevalence, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) for measuring functional disability were applied. The neck pain prevalence and NDI were compared before and after the intervention using McNemar and paired t-tests.
Results: 47.05% and 40% of all participants reported neck pain during the last 12 months and the last seven days, respectively. The neck pain prevalence during the last seven days (P<0.05) and NDI (P<0.01) after exercise were significantly decreased comparing to the other group.
Conclusion: About half of the office workers suffer from neck pain, and exercise intervention can improve and reduce the prevalence of neck pain and NDI by strengthening neck muscles.
