TY - JOUR T1 - Computer users’ risk factors for developing shoulder, elbow and back symptoms JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PY - 2004/10VL - 30 IS - 5 SP - 390 EP - 398 AU - Juul-Kristensen, Birgit AU - Søgaard, Karen AU - Strøyer, Jesper AU - Jensen, Chris M3 - doi: 10.5271/sjweh.827 UR - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=827 KW - back symptom KW - behavior KW - computer user KW - computer work KW - elbow symptom KW - follow-up study KW - glare KW - information technology KW - musculoskeletal symptom KW - pause KW - prospective study KW - reflection KW - risk factor KW - screen height KW - shoulder symptom N2 - '

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OBJECTIVES ': 'This prospective study concentrated on determining factors of computer work that predict musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder, elbow, and low-back regions.

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METHODS ': 'A questionnaire on ergonomics, work pauses, work techniques, and psychosocial and work factors was delivered to 5033 office workers at baseline in early 1999 (response rate 69%) and to 3361 respondents at the time of the follow-up in late 2000 (response rate 77%). An increased frequency or intensity of symptoms was the outcome variable, including only nonsymptomatic respondents from the baseline questionnaire (symptom frequency below 8 days within the last 12 months or intensity score below 4 within the last 3 months).

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RESULTS ': 'In the follow-up, 10%, 18%, and 23% had symptoms more often in the elbow, shoulder, and low back, respectively, and 14%, 20%, and 22% had more intense symptoms. Women were more likely to be afflicted than men in all regions. In the full-fit multivariate logistic regression analysis, little influence on the timing of a rest pause and being disturbed by glare or reflection were significant predictors of shoulder symptoms, screen below eye height was a significant predictor for elbow symptoms, and previous symptoms was a significant predictor for symptoms in all regions. Computer worktime and psychosocial dimensions were not significant predictors.

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CONCLUSIONS ': 'Influence on work pauses, reduction of glare or reflection, and screen height are important factors in the design of future computer workstations. Since previous symptoms was a significant predictor of recurrent symptoms in all three regions under study, it can be concluded that musculoskeletal symptoms are persistent.

SN - 0355-3140 ER -