Análise eletromiográfica da região lombar de enfermeiros antes e após a jornada de trabalho em diferentes setores hospitalares

Abstract

The nursing profession is covered with a demanding physical component, in which nurses often perform activities that involve extreme body postures of the spine, particularly in the lumbar region. Ergonomic factors related to the work sectors have contributed to the appearance of low back pain in these professionals. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) activity and strength of the lumbar region of nurses from different hospital sectors, before and after a six-hour workday. Thirty-three volunteers, both genders, aged between 25 and 50 years, participated in this study, and were divided into 4 groups, according to the hospital sectors of work: MC (medical clinic, n=6), SC (surgical center, n=7), ICU (adult intensive care unit, n=10) and ER (emergency room, n=10). For electromyographic exam, all volunteers performed trunk extension isometric contraction, before and after the workday. EMG signals were captured from the erector spinae muscle, using surface electrodes, recorded in a computerized electromyograph and processed using a software application. EMG data were analyzed in relation to RMS (root mean square), which were normalized (RMSn), and MF (median frequency), and were submitted to statistical analysis. No statistically significant difference was found when comparing the values of RMSn and MF before and after workday, in any hospital sector or comparing between hospital sectors. Lower strength was observed after the working day only in ICU volunteers (p = 0.0345). From these results, it can be concluded that 6-hour workday similarly influences the muscular activity of the lumbar region in the MC, SC, ICU and ER. Furthermore, the ICU sector has a higher activity overload, that is, it has a greater electrical difference compared to other sectors.