The Bureau of Labor statistics reports that illnesses due to repeated trauma accounted for 65 percent of the newly reported cases of occupational illnesses and for one in three lost work time illnesses in 2001. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) continue to cause substantial worker discomfort, disability and loss of productivity. Animal models provide an opportunity to examine tissue effects under controlled experimental conditions. We have used such a model in the rat to study the development of WMSDs and now propose to test the effectiveness of secondary prevention interventions using our model. In this proposed five-year study, we will use qualitative and quantitative histological, immunochemical, molecular and neurophysiological techniques as well as behavioral testing of motor and sensory function to address two specific aims related to secondary prevention interventions in a rat model of WMSD. 1. To determine the effectiveness of an ergonomic work modification in attenuating the acute and chronic inflammatory phases of tissue injury and repair accompanying performance of a highly repetitive, forceful task. Rats performing a high repetition-high force (HRHF) reaching and pulling task regimen will be transferred to a light duty, low repetition-negligible force (LRNF) task regimen beginning at the onset of behavioral evidence of discomfort. They will be examined at later time points and compared to trained controls that do not perform the task regimen and to controls that perform either the HRHF or LRNF task regimen. 2. To determine the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory medication in ameliorating the acute and chronic inflammatory phases of tissue injury and repair accompanying performance of a repetitive, forceful task. Rats performing a HRHF reaching and pulling task regimen will be given therapeutic doses of ibuprofen beginning at the onset of behavioral evidence of discomfort. They will be examined at later time points and compared to trained controls and medicated controls that do not perform the task regimen and to controls that perform the HRHF task regimen.The use of this model to examine the response of injured and inflamed tissues to secondary prevention interventions will make important contributions to occupational health practice, because we will be testing the effectiveness of hypothesis-based treatments on clinically relevant physiological and behavioral phenomena.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AR051212-01
Application #
6767230
Study Section
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences Study Section (MRS)
Program Officer
Panagis, James S
Project Start
2004-02-01
Project End
2009-01-31
Budget Start
2004-02-01
Budget End
2005-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$332,821
Indirect Cost
Name
Temple University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
057123192
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19122
Barbe, Mary F; Jain, Nisha X; Massicotte, Vicky S et al. (2015) Ergonomic task reduction prevents bone osteopenia in a rat model of upper extremity overuse. Ind Health 53:206-21
Jain, N X; Barr-Gillespie, A E; Clark, B D et al. (2014) Bone loss from high repetitive high force loading is prevented by ibuprofen treatment. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 14:78-94
Abdelmagid, Samir M; Barr, Ann E; Rico, Mario et al. (2012) Performance of repetitive tasks induces decreased grip strength and increased fibrogenic proteins in skeletal muscle: role of force and inflammation. PLoS One 7:e38359
Kietrys, David M; Barr, Ann E; Barbe, Mary F (2011) Exposure to repetitive tasks induces motor changes related to skill acquisition and inflammation in rats. J Mot Behav 43:465-76
Driban, Jeffrey B; Barr, Ann E; Amin, Mamta et al. (2011) Joint inflammation and early degeneration induced by high-force reaching are attenuated by ibuprofen in an animal model of work-related musculoskeletal disorder. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011:691412
Fedorczyk, Jane M; Barr, Ann E; Rani, Shobha et al. (2010) Exposure-dependent increases in IL-1beta, substance P, CTGF, and tendinosis in flexor digitorum tendons with upper extremity repetitive strain injury. J Orthop Res 28:298-307
Coq, Jacques-Olivier; Barr, Ann E; Strata, Fabrizio et al. (2009) Peripheral and central changes combine to induce motor behavioral deficits in a moderate repetition task. Exp Neurol 220:234-45
Elliott, M B; Barr, A E; Clark, B D et al. (2009) High force reaching task induces widespread inflammation, increased spinal cord neurochemicals and neuropathic pain. Neuroscience 158:922-31
Elliott, Melanie B; Barr, Ann E; Kietrys, David M et al. (2008) Peripheral neuritis and increased spinal cord neurochemicals are induced in a model of repetitive motion injury with low force and repetition exposure. Brain Res 1218:103-13
Barbe, Mary F; Elliott, Melanie B; Abdelmagid, Samir M et al. (2008) Serum and tissue cytokines and chemokines increase with repetitive upper extremity tasks. J Orthop Res 26:1320-6

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