Breathing and Biomechanical Indices of Musculoskeletal Strain in Repetitive Computer Work

Details

• Personal Author:
  Ley R ; Pan C ; Schleifer LM
• Description:
  Ergonomic models of musculoskeletal strain in computer work have focused primarily on biomechanical indices (e.g. key force, keystroke repetition, work posture); relatively little attention has been given to psychophysiological indices (e.g. hyperventilatory responses to mood disturbances). This report explores the relationship between psychophysiological and biomechanical factors with right-hand musculoskeletal strain in 47 data-entry computer workers. Self-ratings of right-hand musculoskeletal strain (i.e. discomfort, pain, stiffness, or soreness), boredom, and fatigue were taken during prolonged periods of data-entry work during each of three consecutive workdays. End-tidal Pco2, key force, and keystroke repetition were monitored on a continuous basis. An examination of changes in these measures indicates consistent increases in right-hand musculoskeletal strain within each of the three workdays. In addition, there was a corresponding pattern of psychophysiological strain, as characterized by increases in boredom and fatigue and decreases in end-tidal PCO* (i.e. hyperventilation) within each of the three workdays. However, there was no consistent pattern of increases in key force or keystroke repetition. These results suggest that the psychophysiological demands (i.e. chronic mild hyperventilation) of mood disturbances attendant to repetitive computer work are associated with right-hand musculoskeletal strain. It is proposed that ergonomic models of musculoskeletal strain in repetitive computer work should be expanded to include psychophysiological stress factors in addition to conventional biomechanical stress factors. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Computers Fatigue Mental Health Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Biological-effects Biomechanics Computer-equipment Musculoskeletal-system Physiological-effects Physiological-fatigue Physiological-measurements Physiological-response Posture Psychological-effects Psychological-fatigue Psychological-processes Psychological-responses Repetitive-work Statistical-analysis Stress

  More +
• ISSN:
  0301-0511
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  251-252
• Volume:
  43
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20034332
• Citation:
  Biol Psychol 1996 Jun; 43(3):251-252
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1996
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Biological Psychology
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:2402cf170ab3ac6286744059b04620c05c75e108bdb6eb646fc2a4be4edeef1c1d113c9f661b643fb54314af97ea5e2021f976e0da897463f0a70599ad5c2c50
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189579/cdc_189579_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 150.79 KB ]