An interpreter's interpretation: sign language interpreters' view of musculoskeletal disorders

Musculoskeletal Diseases and Disorders in the Upper Limbs and Health Work-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Sign Language Interpreters and Guide-Interpreters

Disorders in the upper limbs are common among sign language interpreters and are related with different risk factors, among which are the difficulties of interpreting work in the educational setting, posture, and emotional together with physical stress. The aim of this study was to inquire about the different musculoskeletal disorders and diseases present in a group of sign language interpreters, and to examine its relationship with the work-related quality of life. A battery of four instruments was administered to 62 sign language interpreters, composed of a sociodemographic data and musculoskeletal disease questionnaire, a health-related quality of life measurement scale (SF-36), a measurement scale of the impact of fatigue (MFIS), and an instrument for assessing hand-function outcomes (MHOQ). All the study participants had presented some kind of musculoskeletal pathology during their work career, such as tendinitis, overuse syndrome, and repetitive strain injury. In addition, many of the participants present difficulties in occupational performance that affect their daily activities. A high percentage, close to 70%, of the interpreters suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, serious enough to modify their activities and affect both the quality of their work as interpreters and their quality of life, with important mediating variables being the number of diseases; physical, cognitive, and social fatigue; and satisfaction with the hand function.

The Modified Strain Index: A Composite Measure of Injury Risk for Signers

Up to 81% of individuals who are fluent in sign language (signers) report pain. Non-native signers (with non-signing, non-deaf parents) report greater pain than natives (≥1 signing, deaf parent). The goal of this study was to develop a composite measure of injury risk (the modified Strain Index for signers) based on previously identified biomechanics unique to signers and examine scores across sub-groups of natives and non-natives. Non-natives were hypothesized to have greater pain and higher composite scores than natives. Ten natives and 15 non-natives used a numeric scale to rate pain while signing. Measures included 'micro' rests, muscle activation, ballistic signing, non-neutral joint angle, and work envelope. Descriptive statistics were used to create categorical ratings and backward elimination multiple linear regression to establish rank order of the biomechanical tasks. Participant performance was rated, and the product of the multipliers across tasks created a score. Pain intensity was associated with the composite score (r = 0.46; p = 0.02), however there was no difference between natives (score = 13.39 ± 3.1) and non-natives (score = 19.55 ± 4.7; p = 0.34). This work presents an approach to incorporate multiple biomechanical factors into a single, composite measure unique to signers, however further evidence-based adjustments are needed to enhance its robustness.

A case of cervico-brachial disorder due to tactile interpretation for deaf-blind persons

OBJECTIVES

We herein report a case of cervico-brachial disorder (CBD) due to long-term tactile interpreting.

METHODS

The patient was interviewed to investigate her past history, occupational history, work conditions and clinical course in detail. The case was diagnosed in accordance with the "Diagnostic Criteria for CBD 2007" established by the Research Association for CBD of the Japanese Society for Occupational Health.

RESULTS

The patient was a 49-year-old female who has worked as a regular occupational instructor at a welfare work activity center for deaf people since April 22, 2010. Her primary job is to instruct and aid others in learning confectionery manufacturing and coffee shop tasks. She also performs tactile interpreting for two deaf-blind workers during a morning health check and during any meetings. On September 3, 2010, she interpreted by tactile signing for about three hours alone during a meeting, due to the absence of other interpreters. She developed severe pain in her back immediately after carrying out this interpretation, and the pain thereafter continued and developed in the upper extremities. She was diagnosed with a severe and prolonged case of the non-specific type of CBD.

DISCUSSION

Interpretation by tactile signing may impose a heavier burden on the upper extremities, shoulders and neck than that imposed by common sign language. A shorter time of interpretation, ensuring the availability of rest time and supporting tools or methods for the upper extremities, are therefore considered to be necessary to prevent the incidence of CBD among interpreters using tactile signing.