Self-reported working conditions of VDU operators and associations with musculoskeletal symptoms: a cross-sectional study focussing on gender differences

Karlqvist, Lena; Tornqvist, Ewa Wigaeus; Hagberg, Mats; Hagman, Maud; Toomingas, Allan

doi:10.1016/s0169-8141(02)00131-2

Cited by 139 publications

(121 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…It w further supported by the results of another study, which explored effects of mental pressure on precision and on the force applied when working with the computer mouse (Visser et al, 2004). P S and neck/upper extremity symptoms during computer work (Bergqvist et al, 1995;Faucett and Rempel, 1994;Karlqvist et al, 2002;Punnett and Bergqvist, 1997;Tittiranonda et al, 1999). Conclusions regarding cause-effect relationships cann be drawn from these studies, due to their cross-sectional design.…”

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confidence: 78%

“…There is substantial scientific evidence showing that musculoskeletal symptoms a m 2000; Jensen et al, 2002;Karlqvist et al, 2002;Korhonen et al, 2003) Possible explanations discussed in the previous literature are differences in occupational exposures and differences in exposures in leisure time between men and women (Ekman et al, 2000). Anthropometric measures such as differences in shoulder width and hand size have also been proposed as possible factors increasing the ris for women (Karlqvist et al, 1998;Tittiranonda et al, 1999).…”

Section: Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, recent experimental investigations of muscular activity during light manual work support the "Cinderella hypothesis", and the established knowledge that stressful work conditions increase the risk of muscle overuse et al, 2002;Thorn et al, 2006). S computer work and neck/upper extremity symptoms or disorders Cook et al, 2000;Jensen et al, 1998;Karlqvist et al, 2002), and several recent longitudinal studies have supported these cross-sectional findings (Gerr et al, 20 Jensen, 2003;Juul-Kristensen et al, 2004;. However, another longitudinal study concluded that the duration of computer use did not influence the prognosis of persistent pain in the arm or hand region of the subje (Lassen et al, 2005).…”

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confidence: 93%

“…Another study, which investigated the effects of time pressure and precision demands on the oxygen of two muscles, m. trapezius and m. extensor carpi radialis, found reductions in oxygenation of the latter during a mouse-operated computer task carried out und time pressure and high precision demands (Heiden et al, 2005). during computer work (Bongers et al, 1993;Karlqvist et al, 2002;Polany 1997). A prospective study of forearm pain in computer users concluded that high demands and time pressure at work were risk factors for developing forearm pain, and found that women had a higher risk of developing such symptoms (Kryger et al, 2003).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Age is another factor generally considered to influence the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, which tends to be higher in older age groups. However, this trend is not clear with respect to computer w and results from several studies have been inconclusive regarding the effects of age (Cassou et al, 2002;Cote et al, 2004;Karlqvist et al, 2002;Ostergren et al, 2005 Punnett andBergqvist, 1997;. There is insufficient knowledge regarding the impact of individual characteristics such as vulnerability, but several studies have observed that prior episodes of musculoskeletal pain/symptoms are strong predictors of recurrent pain/symptoms of the neck and upper extremities (Juul-Kristensen et al, 2004;Luime et al, 2005;Miran 2001;Wigaeus Tornqvist et al, 2001b …”

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confidence: 99%

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Concordance between VDU-users’ ratings of comfort and perceived exertion with experts’ observations of workplace layout and working postures

Lindegård

Karlberg

Tornqvist³

et al. 2005

Applied Ergonomics

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All previously published papers have been reproduced with permission from the publisher.Published and printed by Intellecta DocuSys AB, Göteborg, Sweden, 2007 © Agneta Lindegård Andersson, 2007 ISBN 978-91-628-7098-0 Working technique during computer work Associations with biomechanical and psychological strain, neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms Agneta Lindegård AnderssonThe Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Institute of Medicine Department of Public Health and Community Medicine Occupational and Environmental Medicine AbstractAbout 35 % of the working population in Sweden report that computer use accounts for 50% or more of their total working hours. Among this population approximately 40% of the women and 25% of the men experienced symptoms in the neck and/or upper extremities at least once a week during the preceding 3 month. The overall aim of the studies underlying this thesis was to explore possible associations between working technique and perceived exertion, comfort, biomechanical and psychosocial strain as well as neck and upper extremity symptoms among computer users. Specific research questions addressed were a) Whether working technique was associated with muscle activity, wrist positions and forces applied to the computer mouse, respectively? b) Whether working technique was associated with psychological demands, emotional stress and perceived muscle tension, respectively? c) Whether there were associations between self-rated perceived comfort and observations of workplace layout and between self-rated perceived exertion and working postures. d) Whether working technique perceived exertion and comfort was associated with neck and upper extremity symptoms.The results showed that subjects classified as having a good working technique worked with less muscular load in the forearm (p=0.03) and in the trapezius muscle on the mouse operating side (p=0.02) compared to subjects classified as having a poor working technique. Subjects who reported high psychological demands and perceived muscular tension, respectively, used poorer working technique than subjects who did not perceive this conditions (demands, p=0.03, muscular tension, p=0.02). Moreover, the concordance between ratings of comfort and observations of workplace layout was reasonably good concerning the working chair and the keyboard and good regarding the computer screen and the input device. The concordance between ratings of perceived exertion and observations of working postures indicated good agreement for all measured body locations. This applies to the group that rated poor comfort and high exertion. Regarding the group that rated good comfort and low exertion ratings must be supplemented with observations. Furthermore, the results revealed that high perceived exertion and low comfort were related to an increased incidence of neck, and upper extremity symptoms, while poor working technique was not associated with such a risk. It is concluded that working technique is associated with both biomechanical and p...

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mentioning

confidence: 78%