Determinants of Grip Strength in Tunisian Nurses: A Bicentric Study

Abstract

BackgroundGrip muscle force has always been used to assess functional limitations in elderly. Its use as a tool to assess work capacity has never been described in the literature.ObjectiveTo describe the patent determinants of grip strength and the usefulness of its measurement in assessing workability index in the healthcare sector.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted in a sample of 293 healthcare workers representative of 1181 based on a comprehensive questionnaire about socio-professional characteristics and on an 8-item work capacity evaluation (WAI). Besides, Body mass index was measured and muscle strength was assessed by JAMAR hydraulic dynamometer.ResultsHandgrip Strength was stronger in male nurses (p < 0.001), with low perceived physical load (p = 0.0001) and working on a night shift (p = 0.001). It decreased with a greater duration of household work (p < 0.0001) and increased with a greater BMI (p = 0.015) and a better workability index (p < 0.0001). After removal of all the variables that were not independently associated with the muscle strength force, factors accounting for 52.6% of the variance in nurses handgrip strength were gender (p < 0.001), workability index (p < 0.001), duration of household work (p = 0.021), BMI (p = 0.002), perceived physical load (p < 0.001) and work schedule (p = 0.002).ConclusionGrip Strength Test is a useful tool to assess strength and functional capacity at work in healthcare workers. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.

Identification and estimation of physiological workload in nursing: Concepts, methods and gaps in the literature

“…classified as parameters that should be used to calculate this load (Acar and Butt, 2016;Chen et al, 2011;Roman-Liu, 2013;Ma et al, 2009;Merchaoui et al, 2016). Finally, some authors estimate the physiological workload according to different parameters, which were not observed in other studies.…”

“…Through the concept of work pace (Chen et al, 2011), work demands (Lanfranchi and Duveau, 2008) and workability (Merchaoui et al, 2016), authors state that workload can be measured by assessing the demand for each activity of workers during their work shift. However, Hodder et al (2010), Ma et al (2009) and Veiersted et al (2008) state that to estimate this type of load, it is necessary to account for the duration of each activity.…”

“…symptoms, work-related pain, and the likelihood of developing WMSD are important, as well as the strength employed during their work activities (Bazazan et al, 2019;Merchaoui et al, 2016;Veiersted et al, 2008).…”

“…Finally, some authors estimate the physiological workload according to different parameters, which were not observed in other studies. Forsyth et al (2018) measure the workload according to the interruptions that occurred during the workday; Merchaoui et al (2016) use Body Mass Index (BMI) to estimate the load; whereas for Oakman et al (2014), one of the ways used to measure load is by using indices related to discomfort or pain while working. Yet, for Roman- Liu (2013), measuring the amplitude, acceleration, and frequency of vibrations is a valid way to measure workload.…”

“…In those studies, estimation parameters were considered singly, such as heart rate, distance traveled and fatigue which were measured through subjective scales. Instruments and methodologies were used to quantify the load parameters of these activities, as well as to identify other factors related to WMSD (Merchaoui et al, 2016;Roman-Liu, 2013 Schlossmacher andAmaral, 2013).…”