An Australian study of telegraphists' cramp

Abstract

). Brit. J. industr. Med., 28,[280][281][282][283][284][285]. An Australian study of telegraphists' cramp. An investigation of telegraphists' cramp in an Australian public service organization attempted to assess the prevalance of the disorder, the degree of its transfer from morse to keyboard operating, and possible contributory influences. From an interview of 516 telegraphists in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane (93% of the available population), 73 (14%) subjects with occupational cramp and 26 (5 %) with occupational myalgia were identified. The job, equipment, and work environment were also investigated. The prevalence of both disorders was much greater in Sydney than in Melbourne or Brisbane. Three-quarters (74 %) of the cramp subjects had had difficulty with morse before this mode of operating was discontinued, 65 % had difficulty with keyboard operating, and 50% with writing. Cramp was strongly associated with neurosis and with several other attributes. Though occupational cramp has been related to neurosis in general, to obsessive and conversion reactions in particular, to ready conditioning in neurotics, and to poor psychomotor ability in neurotics, the cause is not yet known. Work load, seating, equipment, selection, training, responsibility, and supervisory practices may each contribute in particular cases.

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“…The situation is not only peculiar to Finland. The existence of similar problems has also been reported in investigations concerning cash register operators (13,15) and assembly plant workers (11) in Japan, and telegraphers and process workers in Australia (6,7). Some work load factors such as fast repetitive or unaccustomed movements or distensions or contusions of the wrists have been described as causative factors.…”

Algumas considerações metodológicas sobre os estudos epidemiológicos das Lesões por Esforços Repetitivos (LER)

“…Prevalências e fatores de risco destacados na literatura Ferguson (1971) conduziu um dos primeiros levantamentos em telegrafistas, estudando 93% dos trabalhadores do serviço público de telecomunicações da Austrália, e encontrou taxas de prevalência de 14% para cãibra e 5% para dores musculares nos membros superiores. Ao comparar esses "casos" com o restante do grupo de trabalhadores que não apresentaram sintomas, o autor encontrou associações significativas com fatores da organização e condições de trabalho e outros, como insatisfação e instabilidade no emprego, conflitos com supervisor e dificuldade de adaptação ao posto e equipamentos de trabalho (p<0,005).…”

Occupational cervicobrachial syndromes. A review.

“…Similarly, Ferguson in Australia found occupational cramp in 22 0J0 of the telegraphers -examined (23), and mild symptoms without disability were reported by 42 Ofo of the workers (24).…”

“…Various reflex phenomena mediate via the sympathetic nervous system, such as involvement of the central nervous system (50). The psychogenic basis of the syndrome has been stressed by many authors, and it has led to terms like "psychogenic rheumatism" (12,106) or occupational neurosis (23,34).…”

“…Thus the syndrome has been called occupational cramp or myalgia (23) or occupational cervicobrachial disorder (51,65).…”