Postural and Muscle Fatigue Analysis of Endodontic Residents

Postural and Muscle Fatigue Analysis of Endodontic Residents: A Research Proposal

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant occupational health problem for dentists and have been linked to a decline in quality of life, often leading to stress-related illnesses and early retirement. Poor posture, poor movement or imbalances in the neck or shoulders can lead to the three most common pain syndromes in dentistry. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the working position adopted during an endodontic procedure and to determine the perception of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in first and second year students of the Master in Advanced Endodontics at the European University of Madrid (UEM), using the standardised Nordic Kuorinka questionnaire supplemented by a form with socio-demographic variables. This study has a descriptive cross-sectional observational design and included 10 students selected by convenience sampling. A video camera was used to record the procedures from three different angles for a maximum of 5 minutes. The information was processed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software, and the video recordings were assessed using Rodgers' Muscular Fatigue Analysis (RMFA) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA).

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Postural; Defect; Endodontic Disease; Symptoms and Signs; Position Sense Disorders; Musculoskeletal System Disease

Detailed Description

The unit of analysis for this study consisted of the first and second year students of the Master's in Endodontics programme at the European University of Madrid (UEM) who completed the two years of annual clinical practice during the years 2022/24. A total of 10 students were enrolled over the two years of training, treating 30 patients (3 patients per student) in the first year and another 30 patients in the second year (for a total of 22 months). A video camera was used to record the procedures from three different angles for a maximum of 5 minutes (two side views - right and left - and one frontal view) on different patients, following the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Protocol for Video Recording for Job Analysis and Risk Assessment. The selected endodontic procedure focused exclusively on upper or lower first molars during the opening and ultrasonic search for the fourth canal in upper first molars or the search for the mesiobuccal canal in lower first molars. The standardised Nordic Kuorinka Musculoskeletal Symptom Perception Questionnaire was used as the measuring instrument. Questionnaire data were collected using a spreadsheet program (Microsoft Excel).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 10

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Antonio Conde, Phd; Phone Number: +34 91 385 88 00; Email: antoniojesus.conde@universidadeuropea.es
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Victor Diaz-Flores García, Phd; Phone Number: +34 91 385 88 00; Email: victor.diaz-flores@universidadeuropea.es

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Madrid
    • Villaviciosa De Odón, Madrid, Spain
      • Recruiting
      • Universidad Europea de Madrid
      • Contact: Antonio Conde, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

1st and 2nd year students of the Master's Degree in Endodontics of the European University of Madrid (UEM), who have completed the two years of the annual teaching period of clinical practice during the years 2022/24.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- Students of the Master's Degree in Endodontics of the European University of Madrid (UEM), who have completed the two years of the annual teaching period of clinical practice.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects previously diagnosed with a musculoskeletal disorder.
• Subjects who had suffered previous trauma affecting the musculoskeletal system.
• Pregnant women in their third trimester.
• Subjects who refused to participate.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Group 1; 1st Year Students
Group 2; 2nd year students

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Symptom Perception	The standardized Nordic Kuorinka Musculoskeletal Symptom Perception Questionnaire will be used as a measurement instrument. Data from the questionnaires will be compiled in a spreadsheet program (Microsoft Excel); measures of central tendency and dispersion will be calculated as well as tables and figures. Sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, grade, weight, height, symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, body regions affected and times of symptom onset will be recorded.	January 2023 - July 2024

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universidad Europea de Madrid
• Investigators: Study Chair: Ruth Perez Alfayate, PHD, Universidad Europea de Madrid

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Zarra T, Lambrianidis T. Musculoskeletal disorders amongst Greek endodontists: a national questionnaire survey. Int Endod J. 2014 Aug;47(8):791-801. doi: 10.1111/iej.12219. Epub 2014 Jan 11.
• Hayes M, Cockrell D, Smith DR. A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals. Int J Dent Hyg. 2009 Aug;7(3):159-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2009.00395.x.
• McAtamney L, Nigel Corlett E. RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Appl Ergon. 1993 Apr;24(2):91-9. doi: 10.1016/0003-6870(93)90080-s.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): April 30, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 20, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): February 28, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 28, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 20, 2024
• Last Verified: February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Musculoskeletal System; Ergonomics; Endodontics
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Stomatognathic Diseases; Tooth Diseases; Sensation Disorders; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Dental Pulp Diseases; Somatosensory Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: Endo-ergonomics

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: The data obtained will be used for scientific publications.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No