Implementation and Evaluation of an Office Ergonomic Intervention Among Workers with Neck and Upper Extremity Pain

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dropkin J
• Description:
  Background: Computer operators' work is associated with a high prevalence of neck and upper extremity pain. Older workers who use the computer have more severe pain and lost workdays than younger workers. Methods: This 7 month, randomized controlled intervention evaluated the effects of a fully adjustable keyboard/mouse tray and a touch pad pointing device in their non-preferred limb on spine and upper extremity pain severity in 109 public sector office workers. The preferred limb continued to use a corded optical mouse. Participants were randomized into (1) an intervention group, where they received these engineering controls and training, plus training on keyboard shortcuts, and (2) a control group, where they only received training on keyboard shortcuts. Outcome measures were modified Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Hand Activity Level (HAL), musculoskeletal pain severity, and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short Form 36. General Estimating Equations using multivariable linear and Poisson regression examined main effects models. General Estimating Equations Poisson models examined effect modification by age. Multiple regression models adjusted for individual determinants factors, physical and temporal load items, and psychosocial exposures. Results: The intervention reduced postural exposures in all RULA elements; 3 findings were statistically significant. Upper extremity movement (HAL) decreased in the preferred limb and increased in the non-preferred limb. Nine of twelve anatomical regions had less likelihood of an adverse musculoskeletal outcome; six of these regions showed statistically significant findings. The non-preferred forearm region showed a statistically significant greater likelihood of an adverse musculoskeletal outcome (RR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05). The intervention showed no effect on the MOS. RRs for the interaction terms showed that age modified the association between posture and upper extremity movement and pain severity. There were two significantly greater likelihoods of an adverse musculoskeletal outcome in the preferred proximal upper extremity quadrant, while there were two significantly protective effects in preferred and non-preferred distal upper extremity quadrants. Upper extremity movement showed that one significantly protective effect in the preferred upper extremity proximal quadrant, while there was a border significantly greater likelihood of an adverse musculoskeletal outcome in the non-preferred distal upper extremity quadrant. Conclusion: The engineering controls were effective in reducing postural and movement exposures in the preferred limb. With the exception of the non-preferred forearm, the engineering controls and training are effective in reducing spine and upper extremity musculoskeletal pain severity. While there was a greater likelihood of an adverse musculoskeletal outcome in proximal upper extremity quadrants, protective effects were observed in distal upper extremity quadrants. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Computers Ergonomics Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Age Factors Computer Equipment Intervention Effectiveness Keyboards Office Workers Upper Extremities
• ISBN:
  9781267512055
• Publisher:
  ProQuest LLC.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Dissertation
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; New York ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056595
• Citation:
  Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC., 2012 Apr; :3520202
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• Performing Organization:
  Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Implementation and evaluation of an office ergonomic intervention among workers with neck and upper extremity pain
• End Date:
  20270630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:af7e4921d90d8cf371c4427e3d56950b638f703ae0e0ab7d60afec4e71f3417bc97ee626b6d54c874a145d7dfaeaee0e49e4e9fa3c9786e0077b743b27bff21c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214175/cdc_214175_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.72 MB ]