Ascertaining Computer Use in Studies of Musculoskeletal Outcomes Among Computer Workers: Differences Between Self-Report and Computer Registration Software

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fethke N ; Gerr F
• Description:
  The results of a large prospective study of computer users show little association between input device use and musculoskeletal outcomes. Ordinarily, this study would simply be one more addition to the already large body of literature examining associations between computer use and musculoskeletal outcomes and one more citation included in the 'negative association' column of review papers. This is not an ordinary study, however. Unique to this investigation was its use of newly developed memory resident computer registration software that allows for the automated collection of computer and mouse activity over months or years. ... In summary, the paper by IJmker et al is an important and provocative addition to the literature examining associations between computer work and musculoskeletal outcomes. The mostly null associations observed between computer registration software measures of computer use and musculoskeletal symptoms raise important questions about the validity of the large body of literature based on self-report of computer use. However, the failure to observe associations between computer registration software and musculoskeletal symptoms in this study does not invalidate the much larger literature in which self-reported computer use was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. We will be well served to better understand, from a biological perspective, exactly what attributes of work are captured by self-report and by computer registration software. Such knowledge will be the building blocks for more useful epidemiological investigation of the relationship between computer use and musculoskeletal outcomes. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Automation Computers Epidemiology Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Software
• Keywords:
  Activity Levels Computer Equipment Computer Software Data Processing Humans MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Musculoskeletal System Disorders Recording Systems
• ISSN:
  1351-0711
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  465-466
• Volume:
  68
• Issue:
  7
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062094
• Citation:
  Occup Environ Med 2011 Jul; 68(7):465-466
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr Fred Gerr, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
• Email:
  fred-gerr@uiowa.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• Performing Organization:
  University of Iowa
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b7902c8a551180ebefb4a2db4a43183377e5c7619587aa583652eae8d3804570bb230350fc229eda9dd6e196b2c47568f569bb8d26c23def8c105580cae95aac
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225407/cdc_225407_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 54.03 KB ]