Computer use related upper limb musculoskeletal (ComRULM) disorders

Effects of computer use on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and function in academicians

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the effects of academician's demographic characteristics and computer usage habits on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and function. Methods. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 100 academicians. Data were collected using questionnaires, which included the patient-rated wrist evaluation questionnaire - Turkish version (PRWE-T), the Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire - Turkish version (CMDQ-T), the upper extremity functional index - Turkish version (UEFI-T), demographic characteristics and average daily computer usage time. Results. A low-level significant correlation was found between the age of the individuals and the CMDQ-T forearm (p = 0.044; r = 0.202) and CMDQ-T wrist (p = 0.001; r = 0.337) scores. Women had higher CMDQ-T neck scores and lower UEFI-T scores than men (p < 0.05). Academicians who used computers for 6 h a day or more had higher PRWE-T and CMDQ-T neck, shoulder, upper arm and forearm scores, and had a lower UEFI-T score (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Neck, shoulder, upper arm and forearm symptoms were higher and upper extremity function was impaired in academicians who used computers for 6 h a day or more. Besides, gender and age were associated with upper limb MSDs and function, but occupation duration did not affect those outcomes in academicians.

Infrared thermal imaging monitoring on hands when performing repetitive tasks: An experimental study

The monitoring of infrared thermal images is reported to analyze changes in skin temperature in the hand fingers when repetitive work is performed to know which finger has a greater risk of injury, besides, the recovery time is analyzed regarding the initial temperature and its relationship with age, sex, weight, height if practice sports, and Body Mass Index (BMI) per individual. For the above, an experimental test was carried out for 10 minutes on a repetitive operation that takes place in the telecommunications industry and 39 subjects participated in which an infrared thermal image of the dorsal and palmar part of both hands was taken in periods of 5 minutes after the 10-minute test has elapsed. The results show that none of the participants recovered their initial temperature after 10 minutes of the experimental test. In addition, it was found that there is a relationship between skin temperature and sex, and that age influences the recovery of temperature. On the other hand, the thumb, index, and middle fingers have a higher risk of injury in the analyzed task. It is concluded that performing repetitive work with all the fingers of the hand does not show that all they have the same risk of injury, besides that, not all the variables studied affect the recovery of temperature and its behavior.

Burden of neck pain among medical students in Ethiopia

Background

Neck pain is the major cause of morbidity and absenteeism from university lessons among medical students worldwide. Medical students are more exposed and appear to have neck pain because of their length of study to achieve their professional goals. However, up to the knowledge of the researcher, there is a scarcity of literature conducted on prevalence and associated factors of neck pain among medical students in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with neck pain among medical students at Mekelle University, College of Health Sciences, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Method

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2018 to May 2018. A structured questionnaire adapted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was distributed to 422 participants using a self-administered questionnaire in Mekelle University, College of Health Sciences Tigray, Ethiopia. Independent variables which had a significant association were identified using logistic regression models. Results were reported by using texts and frequency distribution tables.

Result

A total of 422 participants involved in this study, with a 99.3% response rate. Previous 12 months self-reported prevalence of neck pain among medical students was found to be 49.2% with 95%CI (44.5–54%). Previous history of neck pain (AOR: 11.811, 95%CI: 5.460–25.549), physical exercise (AOR: 2.044, 95%CI: 1.233–3.387), duration of reading (AOR: 1.502, 95%CI: 0.236–2.780) and awkward posture (AOR: 3.87, 95%CI: 2.311–6.484) were factors significantly associated with neck pain.

Conclusion and recommendation

The current study showed that nearly half of the study participants self-reported to have suffered neck pain in the preceding 12 months. Past history of neck pain, physical exercise, duration of reading and awkward neck posture are likely to be significantly associated neck pain among medical students in Ethiopia. Engaging in consistent physical exercise has a protective effect against neck pain. Therefore, Medical students are recommended to carry out a regular physical exercise for a minimum of twenty to thirty minutes per day.

Gender and posture are significant risk factors to musculoskeletal symptoms during touchscreen tablet computer use

[Purpose] To investigate the prevalence of neck and shoulder symptoms during the use of tablet computer, and to identify the risk factors associated with these symptoms. [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional survey was conducted to study tablet computer usage, posture during use, and neck and shoulder symptoms in 412 participants in a school setting. Significant risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms during tablet computer use were identified. [Results] Overall prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms during tablet computer use was 67.9% with greater prevalence of neck symptoms (neck: 84.6%; shoulder/upper extremity: 65.4%). Significant risk factors associated with symptoms during use were: current musculoskeletal symptoms, gender, roles, and postural factors including: sitting without back support, sitting with device in lap, and lying on the side and on the back during tablet computer use. A multivariate analysis further showed that the odds for females to have symptoms were 2.059 times higher than males. [Conclusion] The findings revealed that female gender and other postural factors were significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms during the use of tablet computer. Among all postural factors, sitting without back support was identified as the most important risk factor for having musculoskeletal symptoms.

The Current Working Conditions in Ugandan Apparel Assembly Plants

BACKGROUND

The present rapid shift of industrialization from developed to developing countries requires developing countries to understand issues related to work organization, management, and working conditions. There are many factors slackening production, of which working conditions is part. A complete inquiry into the workers' working conditions can enable managements to reduce risks in the workplaces and improve productivity. Understanding and awareness of the benefits of workplace research and a probe into the working conditions in the Ugandan apparel assembly plants are urgently required.

METHODS

A total of 103 (70 women and 33 men) workers from five different plants were interviewed. Together with the top management of various plants, questionnaires about the workers' opinions of their physical working conditions were prepared. Data was collected using two methods: (1) questionnaire; and (2) observation of the workers during their work.

RESULTS

The results indicated that poor plant working conditions were mainly contributed by the workers' social factors and the management policies.

CONCLUSION

The government, together with the management, should work to improve the working conditions in the apparel assembly plants, as it greatly affects both.

Self-reported neck symptoms and use of personal computers, laptops and cell phones among Finns aged 18-65

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relation between self-reported neck symptoms (aches, pain or numbness) and use of computers/cell phones. The study was carried out as a cross-sectional study by posting a questionnaire to 15,000 working-age persons, and 15.1% of all respondents (6121) reported that they very often experienced physical symptoms in the neck. The results showed that they also had many other symptoms very often, and 49% used a computer daily at work and 83.9% used cell phones. We compared physical/mental symptoms of persons with symptoms in the neck quite often or more, with others. We found significant differences in the physical/mental symptoms and use of cell phones and computers. The results suggest taking into account in the future that those persons' symptoms in the neck can be associated with use of cell phones or computers.

PRACTITIONER SUMMARY

We investigated the possible relation between neck symptoms and use of computers/cell phones. We found that persons, who very often had symptoms in the neck, had also other symptoms very often (e.g. exhaustion at work). Their use of information and communication technology (e.g. computers) can associate with their symptoms.

Evidence for repetitive load in the trapezius muscle during a tapping task

Many studies describe the trapezius muscle activation pattern during repetitive key-tapping focusing on continuous activation. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the upper trapezius is phasically active during supported key tapping, whether this activity is cross-correlated with forearm muscle activity, and whether trapezius activity depends on key characteristic. Thirteen subjects (29.7 ± 11.4 years) were tested. Surface EMG of the finger's extensor and flexor and of the trapezius muscles, as well as the key on-off signal was recorded while the subject performed a 2-min session of key tapping at 4 Hz. The linear envelopes obtained were cut into single tapping cycles extending from one onset to the next onset signal and subsequently time-normalized. Effect size between mean range and maximal standard deviation was calculated to determine as to whether a burst of trapezius muscle activation was present. Cross-correlation was used to determine the time-lag of the activity bursts between forearm and trapezius muscles. For each person the mean and standard deviation of the cross-correlations coefficient between forearm muscles and trapezius were determined. Results showed a burst of activation in the trapezius muscle during most of the tapping cycles. The calculated effect size was ≥0.5 in 67% of the cases. Cross-correlation factors between forearm and trapezius muscle activity were between 0.75 and 0.98 for both extensor and flexor muscles. The cross-correlated phasic trapezius activity did not depend on key characteristics. Trapezius muscle was dynamically active during key tapping; its activity was clearly correlated with forearm muscles' activity.

Computer work and musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

This review examines the evidence for an association between computer work and neck and upper extremity disorders (except carpal tunnel syndrome).

METHODS

A systematic critical review of studies of computer work and musculoskeletal disorders verified by a physical examination was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies (26 articles) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results show limited evidence for a causal relationship between computer work per se, computer mouse and keyboard time related to a diagnosis of wrist tendonitis, and for an association between computer mouse time and forearm disorders. Limited evidence was also found for a causal relationship between computer work per se and computer mouse time related to tension neck syndrome, but the evidence for keyboard time was insufficient. Insufficient evidence was found for an association between other musculoskeletal diagnoses of the neck and upper extremities, including shoulder tendonitis and epicondylitis, and any aspect of computer work.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited epidemiological evidence for an association between aspects of computer work and some of the clinical diagnoses studied. None of the evidence was considered as moderate or strong and there is a need for more and better documentation.

Basis for an FCE methodology for patients with work-related upper limb disorders

A reported reduction in work-related functional capacity in Work-related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULD) patients is among the most common problems in WRULD. The extent to which this reduction in functional capacity can be objectified remains unknown. A validated instrument to test functional capacity in this patient group is unavailable. The objective of this study was to design a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) for WRULD patients working with Visual Display Units (VDU) and provide evidence for content validity. A review to epidemiological literature was conducted to identify physical risk factors for VDU-related WRULD. The results indicate that physical risk factors were related to repetition, duration, working in awkward and static positions and forceful movements of the upper extremity and neck. An FCE was designed based on the risk factors identified. Eight tests were selected to cover all risk factors: the overhead lift, overhead work, repetitive reaching, handgrip strength, finger strength, wrist extension strength, fingertip dexterity, and a hand and forearm dexterity test. Content validity of this FCE was established by providing the rationale, specific objectives and operational definitions of the FCE. Further research is needed to establish reliability and other aspects of validity of the WRULD FCE.

Neck and shoulder pain related to computer use

The neck and shoulder pain (NSP) symptoms are very common among intensive computer users. This paper reviews recent 20 years' research publications, which have focused on pathophysiology and other aspects of the neck and shoulder pain related to computer use (NSPRCU). The disorder is usually multidimensional, occupational, personal and social factors are among these evolved. Suggestions concerning the diagnostics, procedures of prevention, and treatment options have been discussed. As the details of pathophysiology of these disorders are not yet clear, further studies on NSPRCU are necessary.