GIG Design

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Case Study on Pain and Anxiety

GIG Design's team discussed observations of a seamstress exhibiting stress in the workplace.

Observations of the work environment included details of the lighting, noise, temperature, and peer engagement.

The work space is an open area of approximately thirty seamstresses, all sitting at a sewing station actively engaging in production of a product.

Observations of the seamstress were noted to be signs of distress as exhibited by facial expressions, frequent posturing with head tilted into hand through elbow support, uncharacteristic pauses of production.

Following a lifestyle and sensory assessment she identified as hyposensitive, also known as under-responsive to sensations.

Hyposensitivity

This form of regulating the nervous system is categorized by muted, delayed responses, and low sensory registration. This individual passively regulates their nervous system, has a high threshold to sensory stimuli, and passively reacts to sensations. They may appear uninterested, apathetic, or self-absorbed but it's likely their nervous system isn't picking up on tactile, posture, audible, and pressure sensations.

Generally this person misses cues and directions. A hyposensitive nervous system under-responds to stimuli.

A seamstress that is hyposensitive may exhibit low energy, minimal interaction, and low tactile sensations.

These behaviors may cause future onset of expressed sensations of pain, feeling anxious, and potential for injury.

Initial strategies to reduce cost of pain, anxiety, and injury:

Pain

  • Incorporate rest breaks a minimum of every 30-minutes to adjust for postural slumping and/or leaning due to fatigue.

  • An ergonomically fit sewing station and training to reduce the onset of musculoskeletal issues.

  • Regulate sleep, diet, and exercise to improve body capabilities.

Anxiety

  • A variety of peer support from different departments to initiate work breaks and improve social interaction.

  • Peer accountability to improve and support awareness to task, policy, and culture values.

  • Communication through socialization and workplace events to build autonomy of culture and individual.

Injury

  • Hand strengthening (pinch, grasp) to improve agility with needles, fabrics, sewing machine.

  • Tactile reinforcements to improve digital (finger) joint pressure awareness.

  • Task modification to improve body tolerance or daily duties for prevention of future hand and wrist injuries.

REFERENCES


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American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January/February 2011, Vol. 65, 7-9. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2011.065101