Assessment of shoulder function in traffic technicians by the Constant-Murley protocol

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess whether there is a relation between shoulder functional capacity and occupational activity among traffic workers exposed to repetitive movements and/or to overexertion; and to inquire on shoulder complaints and symptoms of cumulative trauma disorders. A hundred and two traffic workers were divided into two groups - G1 exposed to overuse and overexertion, G2 exposed only to overuse - and submitted to the Constant-Murley functional shoulder protocol, which assesses four items: pain, pain in activities of daily living, range of motion, and muscle strength. Data were statistically analysed and significance level set at p<0.05. Shoulder pain was reported by 66% of G1 subjects and by 28.8% of G2's; G1 presented higher pain intensity complaints on the right shoulder (11.80±4.60) than G2 (13.56±3.33; p=0.030); and a trend was found to more intense pain on the left shoulder in G1 than in G2 (p=0.054). Workers of both groups did not present functional decrease as compared to normality parameters. There was hence no association between functional shoulder capacity and occupational activity in neither group, which may be due to the bias known as healthy worker effect. G1 shoulder pain complaints were linked to repetitive movements associated to physical effort inherent to G1 worker tasks.