Vacuuming – not just a pain in the neck! An investigation into the effects of vacuuming of the musculoskeletal system
Item
- Title
- Vacuuming – not just a pain in the neck! An investigation into the effects of vacuuming of the musculoskeletal system
- Author(s)
- Dodenhoff Sarah
- Abstract
- The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence of pain amongst cleaners and to identify factors within the task of cleaning that may predispose cleaners to musculoskeletal pain. A questionnaire survey was designed and undertaken in this new study area. This involved questioning employees working within the housekeeping department and a control group working within the food and beverage departments of hotels within the Central London area.Results showed the main areas of pain experienced by cleaners to be the low back (28.35%), upper back (17.9%), shoulders (14.92%), neck (8.95%), buttocks (4.48%), and thighs (7.46%). Pain experienced and exacerbated with vacuuming was greatest amongst extremes of age and height. Postures requiring large amounts of flexion were adopted by many subjects and were shown to increase symptoms. Upright vacuum cleaners contributed more to pain than cylinder vacuum cleaners, with subjects using a combination of the two reporting a larger amount of pain during vacuuming. Although levels of significance were too low to produce conclusive findings, they are supported by previous research in this area.
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2000
- Date Submitted
- 1.7.2000 00:00:00
- Type
- undergraduate_project
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 12166
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Biomechanics,Ergonomics,Musculoskeletal Pain,Occupational Health,Vacuuming
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Dodenhoff Sarah, “Vacuuming – not just a pain in the neck! An investigation into the effects of vacuuming of the musculoskeletal system”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1457