were validated in relation to direct measurements and systematic observations on 39 men and 58 women representing 45 different occupation s. The agreement was tested at a dichotomous level and, when possible, with quantification of duration or frequency. At the dichotomous level the agreement was "acceptable" for nine variables concerning work postures and the handling of loads weighing >5 kg. No variable showed "accept able" agreement when the duration or the frequency was quantified in more detail (4-to 6-point scales). Musculoskeletal complaints seemed to introduce a differential bias for some lifting variables. Thus some variables for postures or the handling loads of > 5 kg may, under certain conditions, be acceptable for use in epidemiologic studies when the relative risks are high. However, self-rep orted exposure seems to be too crude if more-detailed information is required.

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Objectives This study concerned the influence of 6 positions of the computer mouse on the work table on posture, muscular load, and perceived exertion during text editing. Methods An optoelectronic 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used to register the postures of 10 men and 10 women using video display units. Muscular load was also registered (with electromyography), as was perceived exertion (with rating scales). Results A neutral posture with a relaxed and supported arm showed the least perceived exertion, and the electromyographic results showed low activity in both trapezius muscles in this position. Short operators (all women) showed a numerically higher activity in the 4 examined muscles than the tall operators (all men, except 1). This finding could be related to lower muscle force among women and to anthropometric differences, which also influence biomechanic load moments. Narrow-shouldered operators (8 women and 1 man) and short operators worked with larger outward rotation and abduction of the shoulder in a position of the mouse lateral to the keyboard than the broad-shouldered (7 men and 2 women) and tall operators did. Alm support markedly reduced muscle load in the neck-shoulder region among the operators. C O~~C~U S~O~~S The operators using video display units in this study prefell-ed to use the mouse on a table in a close to relaxed, neutral posture of the arm in combination with arm support. Short and narrow-shouldered operators worked in more strenuous postures of the arm when the mouse was located lateral to the keyboard.Key terms arm support, electromyography, input device, MacReflex motion analysis system, subjective ratings, upper limb, video display unit.In recent years, the occurrence of cumulative trauma disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis has increased dramatically in the United States, and these diseases account for over 60% of occupational illnesses (1). Video display terminal users have reported musculoskeletal symptoms primarily in the upper limbs, neck, and shoulders (2, 3). Health problems during work with video display terminals have been reported also in Sweden (4,5).The computer mouse and other nonkeyboard input devices supplement the keyboard in many visual display unit (VDU) workstations. The mouse technique changes posture and movements compared with keyboard use without the mouse (6). Franzblau et a1 (7) found the incidence of cavpal tunnel syndrome to be related to the pattern of mouse usage in a medical illustration department.Associations between self-reported neck and upper-limb symptoms and physical exposure factors at VDU workstations have recently been investigated (8). The study showed that long hours of work with the mouse, as well as work with the mouse nonoptimally located on the table, seem to be risk factors for upper-limb symptoms.Several significant relationships between the design of workstations or postures on one hand and the incidence of complaints or medical findings on the other have been discovered among VDU operators using a...

BackgroundIn workplace health promotion, all potential resources needs to be taken into consideration, not only factors relating to the absence of injury and the physical health of the workers, but also psychological aspects. A dynamic balance between the resources of the individual employees and the demands of work is an important prerequisite. In the home care services, there is a noticeable trend towards increased psychosocial strain on employees at work. There are a high frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, and a low prevalence of sustainable work ability. The aim of this research was to identify factors promoting work ability and self-efficacy in care aides and assistant nurses within home care services.MethodsThis study is based on cross-sectional data collected in a municipality in northern Sweden. Care aides (n = 58) and assistant nurses (n = 79) replied to a self-administered questionnaire (response rate 46%). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the influence of several independent variables on self-efficacy (model 1) and work ability (model 2) for care aides and assistant nurses separately.ResultsPerceptions of personal safety, self-efficacy and musculoskeletal wellbeing contributed to work ability for assistant nurses (R2adj of 0.36, p < 0.001), while for care aides, the safety climate, seniority and age contributed to work ability (R2adj of 0.29, p = 0.001). Self-efficacy was associated with the safety climate and the physical demands of the job in both professions (R2adj of 0.24, p = 0.003 for care aides), and also by sex and age for the assistant nurses (R2adj of 0.31, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe intermediate factors contributed differently to work ability in the two professions. Self-efficacy, personal safety and musculoskeletal wellbeing were important for the assistant nurses, while the work ability of the care aides was associated with the safety climate, but also with the non-changeable factors age and seniority. All these factors are important to acknowledge in practice and in further research. Proactive workplace interventions need to focus on potentially modifiable factors such as self-efficacy, safety climate, physical job demands and musculoskeletal wellbeing.

The aim of the study was to evaluate eight questions concerning physical loads, used in public health questionnaires. Working women and men (203) completed a self-administered questionnaire twice, following a test-retest method. The questions were also validated with a structured interview. Response agreement was calculated with Cohen's kappa statistics with quadratic weights (kappa w). Test-retest agreement varied from 0.74 to 0.92, and inter-method agreement from 0.38 to 0.81. The lowest coefficients were for the questions concerning bent/twisted work postures (kappa w 0.38) and repetitive movements (kappa w 0.39). The results did not indicate any substantial influence of gender, type of work or musculoskeletal complaint. The questions concerning general physical activity and sitting work postures, and physical exercise/sports during leisure times, had good validity. The questions concerning bent/twisted work posture and repetitive movements need to be re-designed.