Research into work environment and health receives $11 million

– In the long term, we want to contribute to creating a good working environment with fewer occupational injuries and reduced ill health. We do this, among other things, by supporting research that promotes a safe and healthy working life, says Ulrika Hector, Head of Research and Development at Afa Försäkring.

The research we fund must be useful in practical life. It is one of our main criteria when we decide which projects receive support. We have now awarded funding to four new projects in the field of occupational health and safety.

The four projects are:

The importance of gender norms in the encounter between patients with long-term pain and health care professionals

Mutual trust between patient and healthcare staff is crucial for rehabilitation after long-term pain and return to work. Research suggests that pain patients are sometimes met with gender-related expectations about how to adapt their daily activities to their disease. Studying the importance of gender norms in the meeting between the patient and healthcare staff can provide knowledge that can lead to better treatment and rehabilitation in the case of long-term pain and contribute to equal care.

Anke Samulowitz, from the University of Gothenburg, has been awarded SEK 3,248,000 to investigate gender-related differences in meeting between patients with long-term pain and healthcare professionals and in consultation conversations about daily activities. The study also examined the importance of gender in terms of the relationship between patients’ trust in the caregiver, recurrent negative thoughts, and the need for social support.

The project runs until February 2027 and is expected to provide increased knowledge about the importance of gender norms for patients with long-term pain in meeting with healthcare professionals, in daily activities and in terms of trust in the healthcare provider, recurrent negative thoughts and negative thoughts. The need for social support. The results are expected to have a positive impact on treatment, rehabilitation and return to work.

Anke Samulowitz, MD, University of Gothenburg, 070-962 53 57, [email protected].

Patterns and conditions of sick leave in the work environment that promote a sustainable and permanent return to the workplace in case of mental exhaustion after stroke.

In Sweden, thousands of people under the age of 65 suffer a stroke every year, and the goal of many of them is to be able to return to work. It can be a long process and there is a lack of knowledge about how many people make a permanent return. Studying sickness absence and mental fatigue in people returning to work after stroke could contribute to increasing knowledge about how to promote sustainable return.

Elin Ekblade, from Linköping University, has been awarded SEK 2,300,000 to investigate sick leave patterns in people who start working again after a stroke, and to identify factors that promote a sustainable return. The study includes investigating the extent to which those affected by psychological exhaustion after a stroke experience that the work environment and tasks affect their ability to work and the possibility of keeping their job.

The project runs until November 2026 and is expected to provide increased knowledge about the need for support and adaptation to be able to return to and remain in work after a stroke. The results are expected to provide knowledge on how to promote a sustainable return to work and may also be useful for mental fatigue after other illnesses.

Elin Ekbladh, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Linköping University, 070-089 61 11, [email protected].

Results of carpal tunnel surgery in those exposed to vibration

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed and is often manifested by numbness and tingling in the fingers. The risk of injury is higher for women and increases with age and with repetitive work or use of vibrating hand tools. Carpal tunnel surgery for workers exposed to vibration often gives good results, although research conducted in the 1990s showed otherwise. Consideration of carpal tunnel surgery for vibration exposure may provide increased knowledge about when surgery is recommended.

Per Wihlborg, from Örebro University Hospital, was awarded SEK 2,541,000 to investigate the outcomes of carpal tunnel surgery in patients exposed to occupational vibration. In the project, the symptoms of former and new patients before and after surgery are compared and the extent of their exposure to vibrations is determined.

The project will continue until December 2026 and is expected to provide updated knowledge about the impact of surgery on carpal tunnel syndrome and about the relationship between the syndrome and exposure to vibration. The results are expected to contribute to a better evaluation of when carpal tunnel patients should undergo surgery.

Per Fehlburg, with Dr. Doctor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, 070-760 85 37, [email protected].

ROTOFUNK – evaluates the function assessment and treatment of the overall dynamic function of the rotator cuff in case of instability of the shoulder joint

Shoulder disease is a common cause of sick leave and some of these conditions are due to instability in the shoulder joint. Instability is often caused by poor function in the rotator cuff muscle group surrounding the shoulder. Studying a new method of physical therapy could provide increased knowledge about treating shoulder instability and reduce the need for surgical interventions.

Monika Vajvik Olsen, from the University of Gothenburg, was awarded SEK 2,530,000 to evaluate the effect of a new treatment method for rotator cuff function in patients with congenital or acquired instability of the shoulder joint. In the project, movement and muscle function in the shoulders of approximately fifty patients aged between 16 and 35 years are analyzed.

The project runs until December 2026 and through increased knowledge it is expected to lead to better accuracy when choosing a treatment for shoulder instability. The results are expected to contribute to preventing and reducing sickness absence due to instability in the shoulder joint.

Monika Fagevik Olsen, Professor of Physiotherapy, University of Gothenburg, 070-720 61 89, [email protected].

communication:
Barbro Jacobsson, Research Director, R&D Department, Afa Försäkring: 070–893 95 48, [email protected].
Adam Fredholm, writer, Afa Forsakring: 070–376 41 87, [email protected].

About Afa Insurance research support:
Afa Försäkring annually invests SEK 150 million in research and development with the aim of preventing ill health and occupational injuries within private companies, municipalities and regions.