Titre du document / Document title

Computer users' risk factors for developing shoulder, elbow and back symptoms

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

JUUL-KRISTENSEN Birgit ⁽¹⁾ ; SØGAARD Karen ⁽¹⁾ ; STRØYER Jesper ⁽¹⁾ ; JENSEN Chris ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen, DANEMARK

Résumé / Abstract

Objectives This prospective study concentrated on determining factors of computer work that predict musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder, elbow, and low-back regions. Methods A questionnaire on ergonomics, work pauses, work techniques, and psychosocial and work factors was delivered to 5033 office workers at baseline in early 1999 (response rate 69%) and to 3361 respondents at the time of the follow-up in late 2000 (response rate 77%). An increased frequency or intensity of symptoms was the outcome variable, including only nonsymptomatic respondents from the baseline questionnaire (symptom frequency below 8 days within the last 12 months or intensity score below 4 within the last 3 months). Results In the follow-up, 10%, 18%, and 23% had symptoms more often in the elbow, shoulder, and low back, respectively, and 14%, 20%, and 22% had more intense symptoms. Women were more likely to he afflicted than men in all regions. In the full-fit multivariate logistic regression analysis, little influence on the timing of a rest pause and being disturbed by glare or reflection were significant predictors of shoulder symptoms, screen below eye height was a significant predictor for elbow symptoms, and previous symptoms was a significant predictor for symptoms in all regions. Computer worktime and psychosocial dimensions were not significant predictors. Conclusions Influence on work pauses, reduction of glare or reflection, and screen height are important factors in the design of future computer workstations. Since previous symptoms was a significant predictor of recurrent symptoms in all three regions under study, it can be concluded that musculoskeletal symptoms are persistent.

Revue / Journal Title

Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health   ISSN 0355-3140 

Source / Source

2004, vol. 30, n^o5, pp. 390-398 [9 page(s) (article)] (43 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, Helsinki, FINLANDE  (1975) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Occupational medicine ; Vision disorder ; Striated muscle disease ; Eye disease ; Europe ; Pain ; Human ; Denmark ; Ergonomics ; Questionnaire ; Display screen ; Work place ; Symptomatology ; Back (anatomy) ; Elbow ; Shoulder ; Glare ; Risk factor ; User ; Musculoskeletal disorder ; Computer ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Médecine travail ; Trouble vision ; Muscle strié pathologie ; Oeil pathologie ; Europe ; Douleur ; Homme ; Danemark ; Ergonomie ; Questionnaire ; Ecran visualisation ; Lieu travail ; Symptomatologie ; Dos ; Coude ; Epaule ; Eblouissement ; Facteur risque ; Utilisateur ; Trouble musculosquelettique ; Ordinateur ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Medicina ocupacional ; Trastorno visión ; Músculo estriado patología ; Ojo patología ; Europa ; Dolor ; Hombre ; Dinamarca ; Ergonomía ; Cuestionario ; Pantalla visualización ; Lugar trabajo ; Sintomatología ; Dorso ; Codo ; Hombro ; Deslumbramiento ; Factor riesgo ; Usuario ; Patología sistema musculoesqueletico ; Computadora ;

Mots-clés d'auteur / Author Keywords

computer work ; Behavior in Information Technology follow-up study ; glare ; reflection ; musculoskeletal symptoms ; pause ; prospective study ; screen height ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 17954, 35400012049244.0080