Effect of foot orthoses on balance among individuals with flatfoot: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Individuals with flatfoot have impaired proprioception owing to ligament laxity and impaired tendons, which can result in poor balance. Foot orthoses (FOs) have been reported to stimulate plantar mechanical receptors and are used to manage foot overpronation in individuals with flatfoot. However, the results of the use of FOs to improve balance are inconsistent.

Immediate and short-term effects of kinesiotaping and lower extremity stretching on pain and disability in individuals with plantar fasciitis: a pilot randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) can disturb individual's weight-bearing activities. Hence, conservative treatments with immediate effect in reducing pain and improving foot function is required.

Objective: This study compared the effect of kinesiotaping and stretching exercise in individuals with PF.

Differences in lower-extremity kinematics between the male military personnel with and without plantar fasciitis.

Objective: To evaluate the factors that influence gait by comparing lower extremity kinematics during the stance phase of the gait cycle between individuals with and without plantar fasciitis.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Motion analysis research laboratory.

Physical and psychological predictors on pain intensity in conscripts with plantar fasciitis.

Background: Plantar fasciitis is commonly found among the physically active population, including conscripts. Some studies have reported that being overweight and having psychological symptoms contribute to pain from plantar fasciitis. However, there is a lack of information regarding the physical predictors, and more research is needed to determine the relationship between such predictors and pain intensity from plantar fasciitis in conscripts.

Predictors of plantar fasciitis in Thai novice conscripts after 10-week military training: A prospective study.

Objective: To identify the individual, anatomical, and biomechanical predictors of plantar fasciitis among novice conscripts.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: Military training camp in Bangkok, Thailand.

Effects of weight-bearing exercise on a mini-trampoline on foot mobility, plantar pressure and sensation of diabetic neuropathic feet; a preliminary study.

: Foot and ankle exercise has been advocated as a preventative approach in reducing the risk of foot ulceration. However, knowledge about the appropriate types and intensity of exercise program for diabetic foot ulcer prevention is still limited. The current study aimed to examine the effects of an eight-week mini-trampoline exercise on improving foot mobility, plantar pressure and sensation of diabetic neuropathic feet.

Are religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism associated with disability and salivary cortisol in office workers with chronic low back pain?

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is common among office workers. A number of studies have established a relationship between Christianity and physical and mental health outcomes among chronic pain patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism and disability and psychological stress in office workers with chronic LBP.

Prevalence of and factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the spine attributed to computer use in undergraduate students.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the 3-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms at the spine attributed to computer use and to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with the prevalence in undergraduate students.

Participants: Undergraduate students who studied at a public university in Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered to 3,545 students.

Incidence of and risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and low-back during severe flooding in Bangkok in 2011.

Objective: To examine whether the incidences of neck and low-back symptoms were elevated during the severe floods that occurred in Bangkok, Thailand in 2011, and to explore flood-related risk factors for neck and low-back symptoms.

Design: Prospective cohort design.

Methods: Severe flooding occurred in Bangkok and surrounding neighbourhoods between October and December, 2011.

Office workers' risk factors for the development of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies.

The purpose of this study was to systematically review prospective cohort studies to gain insights into risk factors for the development of non-specific neck pain in office workers as well as to assess the strength of evidence. Publications were systematically searched from 1980 - March 2011 in several databases. The following key words were used: neck pain paired with risk or prognostic factors and office or computer or visual display unit or visual display terminal.

Effect of flexibility exercise on lumbar angle: a study among non-specific low back pain patients.

The study investigated the influence of lumbar flexibility exercise on the lumbar angle among patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP). Pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design trial was conducted at Health Service Center, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Thirty-five non-specific LBP patients with limitation in lower back range of motion and without neurological deficits were recruited (based on the LBP guidelines by RCGP 1999).

A prospective study of incidence and risk factors for the onset and persistence of low back pain in Thai university students.

This study aimed to examine the 12-month incidence and risk factors for the onset and persistence of low back pain (LBP) in undergraduate students. A 1-year prospective study was carried out among 684 healthy students in a large public university in Thailand. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a physical examination.

Prevalence of and biopsychosocial factors associated with low back pain in commercial airline pilots.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the 12-mo prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and to identify individual, flight-related, and psychosocial factors associated with the prevalence of LBP in commercial airline pilots.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered by hand to 708 Thai airline pilots visiting the Institute of Aviation Medicine, Royal Thai Air Force, for their regular medical examinations. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between the prevalence of LBP and statistically significant factors.

Risk factors for the onset and persistence of neck pain in undergraduate students: 1-year prospective cohort study.

Background: Although neck pain is common in young adulthood, studies on predictive factors for its onset and persistence are scarce. It is therefore important to identify possible risk factors among young adults so as to prevent the development of neck pain later in life.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in healthy undergraduate students.

Development of a risk score for low back pain in office workers--a cross-sectional study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is common among office workers and is the most common cause of work-related disability in people under 45 years of age. The aetiology of LBP is widely accepted to be multi-factorial. Prognostic research into office workers at risk of developing LBP has received limited attention.

Exercise therapy for office workers with nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of exercise for prevention and cure of nonspecific neck pain in office workers.

Methods: Publications between 1980 and April 2010 were systematically searched in various databases (PubMed, CINAHL Plus with full text, The Cochrane Library, Science Direct, PEDro, ProQuest, PsycNet, and Scopus). The following key words were used: neck pain, cervical pain, exercise, strengthening, stretching, endurance, office workers, visual display unit, visual display terminal, and computer users.

Biopsychosocial factors and perceived disability in saleswomen with concurrent low back pain.

Objectives: To quantify disability level in salespeople with concurrent low back pain (LBP) and to determine the relative associations between demographic, occupational, psychosocial and clinical factors and back disability. LBP is the most common cause of work-related disability in people under 45 years of age and the most expensive cause of work-related disability, in terms of workers' compensation and medical expenses. Evidence suggests high prevalence of LBP in salespeople.

The association between physical activity and neck and low back pain: a systematic review.

The effect of physical activity on neck and low back pain is still controversial. No systematic review has been conducted on the association between daily physical activity and neck and low back pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between physical activity and the incidence/prevalence of neck and low back pain.

Biopsychosocial risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms of the spine in salespeople.

This study aimed to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with the self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the spine in saleswomen in department stores. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 1310 saleswomen in 18 department stores received a self-administered questionnaire. Returns were 1200 (92%) questionnaires, and after screening for exclusion criteria, 1189 saleswomen were eligible for the study.

Biopsychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower extremities of saleswomen in department stores in Thailand.

Objectives: To identify individual, work-related physical and psychosocial factors associated with the self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the hip, knee and ankle/foot of saleswomen in department stores in Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 1,310 saleswomen in 18 department stores received a self-administered questionnaire. Returns were 1,200 (92%) questionnaires, and after screening for exclusion criteria, 1,189 saleswomen were found to be eligible for the study.

The relationship between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms attributed to work and risk factors in office workers.

Purpose: Office workers are exposed to various individual, work-related and psychosocial factors during work that have been associated with the development of musculoskeletal symptoms. There is an increasing in evidence that suggests that musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity are very common among office workers. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of individual, work-related physical and psychosocial factors on the prevalence of shoulder, elbow and wrist/hand symptoms attributed to work in office workers.

Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in salespersons.

Background: Salespersons are required to stand for long periods of time during work. Prolonged standing is one physical factor contributing to the development of musculoskeletal symptoms in the working population.

Aims: To estimate the 12-month prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the head/neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, upper back, low back, hips, knees and ankles/feet in salespersons.

Biopsychosocial factors are associated with high prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower extremities among office workers.

Background And Aims: Little attention has been given to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower extremities among office workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the hip, knee and ankle/foot and individual, work-related physical and psychosocial factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 2000 office workers from 54 workplaces in Bangkok registered at the Social Security Office of Thailand received a self-administered questionnaire.

Associations between prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms of the spine and biopsychosocial factors among office workers.

Objectives: To investigate the relationships between the self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, upper back and low back and certain individual, work-related physical and psychosocial factors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a descriptive questionnaire, which was distributed to 2000 office workers in 54 workplaces, in Bangkok, registered at the Social Security Office of Thailand.

Results: Returns were 1,428 (71%) questionnaires, and after screening for exclusion criteria, 1,185 office workers were found to be eligible for the study.

Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers.

Background: To date, no study has investigated the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in all the body regions in the general population of office workers.

Aims: To estimate the 12-month prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the head/neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, upper back, low back, hips, knees and ankles/feet among office workers.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a descriptive questionnaire distributed to 2000 office workers in 54 workplaces.