Publications by authors named "Bethany T Gardner"
Objective: We determined the predictive validity of a postoffer pre-placement (POPP) screen using nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV) to identify future cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Methods: A cohort of 1648 newly hired manufacturing production workers underwent baseline NCS, and were followed for 5 years.
Results: There was no association between abnormal POPP NCV results and incident CTS.
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among construction workers remain high. Participatory ergonomics (PE) interventions that engage workers and employers in reducing work injury risks have shown mixed results.
Methods: Eight-six workers from seven contractors participated in a PE program.
Background: The long-term outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) including symptoms, functional status, work disability, and economic impact are unknown.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 234 active construction workers with medical claims for CTS and 249 workers without CTS claims; non-cases were matched on age, trade, and insurance eligibility. We conducted telephone interviews with cases and non-cases and collected administrative data on work hours.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess construct and discriminant validity of four health-related work productivity loss questionnaires in relation to employer productivity metrics, and to describe variation in economic estimates of productivity loss provided by the questionnaires in healthy workers.
Methods: Fifty-eight billing office workers completed surveys including health information and four productivity loss questionnaires. Employer productivity metrics and work hours were also obtained.
Introduction: Little is known about the transfer into the workplace of interventions designed to reduce the physical demands of sheet metal workers.
Methods: We reviewed videos from a case series of 15 sheet metal worksite assessments performed in 2007-2009 to score postures and physical loads, and to observe the use of recommended interventions to reduce physical exposures in sheet metal activities made by a NIOSH stakeholder meeting in 2002.
Results: Workers showed consistent use of material handling devices, but we observed few uses of recommended interventions to reduce exposures during overhead work.
Purpose: Few studies have explored measures of function across a range of health outcomes in a general working population. Using four upper extremity (UE) case definitions from the scientific literature, we described the performance of functional measures of work, activities of daily living, and overall health.
Methods: A sample of 573 workers completed several functional measures: modified recall versions of the QuickDASH, Levine Functional Status Scale (FSS), DASH Work module (DASH-W), and standard SF-8 physical component score.
Objectives: To evaluate the responsiveness to change of a modified version of the Work module of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH-W) in a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of active workers.
Methods: We compared change on a 1-year recall modified DASH-W to change on work ability, work productivity, and symptom severity, according to predetermined hypotheses following the Consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN). We evaluated concordance in the direction of change, and magnitude of change using Spearman rank correlations, effect sizes (ES), standardized response means (SRM), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC).
Background: To prospectively evaluate associations between self-reported physical work exposures and incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Methods: Newly employed workers (n = 1,107) underwent repeated nerve conduction studies (NCS), and periodic surveys on hand symptoms and physical work exposures including average daily duration of wrist bending, forearm rotation, finger pinching, using vibrating tools, finger/thumb pressing, forceful gripping, and lifting >2 pounds. Multiple logistic regression models examined relationships between peak, most recent, and time-weighted average exposures and incident CTS, adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index.
Objective: We evaluated post-offer pre-placement (POPP) nerve conduction studies (NCS) for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), testing diagnostic yield and cost-effectiveness.
Methods: A total of 1027 newly hired workers underwent baseline NCS and were followed for an average of 3.7 years for diagnosed CTS.
Objective: To describe the proportions of workers with upper extremity (UE) symptoms and work limitations because of symptoms in a newly hired working population over a 3-year study period and to describe transitions between various outcome states.
Methods: A total of 827 subjects completed repeat self-reported questionnaires including demographics, medical and work history, symptoms, and work status. Outcomes of interest were UE symptoms and work limitations because of symptoms.
Objectives: To evaluate the agreement between job-title based estimates for upper extremity physical work exposures and exposure estimates from work observation and worker self-report.
Methods: Self-reported exposure questionnaires were completed by 972 workers, and exposure estimates based on worksite observation were completed for a subset of 396 workers. Job-title based estimates were obtained from O*NET, an American database of job demands.
Purpose: Return-to-work (RTW) coordination programs are successful in reducing long-term work disability, but research reports have not adequately described the role and competencies of the RTW coordinator. This study was conducted to clarify the impact of RTW coordinators, and competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) required to achieve optimal RTW outcomes in injured workers.
Methods: Studies involving RTW coordination for injured workers were identified through literature review.
Background: We sought to identify personal and work-related predictors of upper extremity symptoms and related functional impairment among 1,108 workers employed for 6 months in a new job.
Methods: We collected data at baseline and 6-month follow-up using self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression models were created for each outcome variable.