Digitally connected work and its consequences for strain - a systematic review

BACKGROUND Evolving digitization has an impact not only on the organization of work, but also on the health of employees. Dealing with new technologies, integrating new processes and requirements into work, and restructuring tasks among others are demands that can be stressful and impair health. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to identify (clusters of) working conditions associated with digitally connected work and to analyze their relations with strain, that is, health and well-being outcomes. METHODS Between May and October 2019, a search string was used to systematically search six databases (EMBASE, Medline, PSYNDEX, PsycInfo, SocIndex, WISO) for German and English texts according to the PEO scheme. The methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Design. RESULTS 14 studies were identified. Despite the search string containing latest technologies, we identified mostly studies from the 1980s/90s. To aggregate findings, a categorization of work factors (cognitive demands, social factors, organizational factors, environmental factors) and health factors (motivation/satisfaction, reduced well-being/affective symptoms, physiological parameters/somatic complaints) is introduced. The most frequently identified work factors belong to the category of cognitive demands. For health factors, motivation/satisfaction was identified most often. 475 associations were found in total. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides an overview of work and health factors that have been studied between 1981 and 2019. Recent texts frequently study individualized health factors (e.g., life satisfaction) whereas objective physiological measurement data and objective survey methods such as workplace analysis are not used. This latter approach was predominantly found in the older studies. In order to obtain a comprehensive picture, however, it is worthwhile to use a combination of these subjective and objective approaches for future studies in this field

Triple Helix, Fall 2018

Table of Contents: Science Agenda: The Politics of Grant Writing / by Kavya Rajesh (p. 4) -- From the Experts / by Katherine Bruner (p. 5) -- 3D Printed Drugs: The Future of Pharmaceuticals / by Ethan Wang (p. 6) -- Computerized Markets: Wall Street Takeover / by James Kiraly (p. 10) -- The Evolution of Fear / by Alisha Ahmed (p. 14) -- ADDing Up / by Victor Liaw (p. 18) -- The Clone Wars / by Jina Zhou (p. 22) -- Physician-Assisted Suicide: Drawing the Line / by Haley Wolf (p. 26) -- Supervised Injection Sites / by Alex Gajewski (p. 30) -- On Emerging Medicalization and Health Care / by Patrick Lee (p. 33) -- The Future of Human Gene Modifications / by Elizabeth Robinson (p. 36)College of Natural SciencesUT LibrariesLiberal Art

Computer users at risk: Health disorders associated with prolonged computer use

By keeping in view the ISO standards which emphasize the assessment of use of a product, this research aims to assess the prolonged use of computers and their effects on human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between extent of computer use (per day) and carpal tunnel syndrome, computer stress syndrome, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal problems. The second objective was to investigate the extent of simultaneous occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders among computer users. The sample in this exploratory study consisted of 120 employees and students. Self administered questionnaire was used as an instrument in this field survey study. The findings confirmed that computer related health disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders occur simultaneously among prolonged computer users such as employees and students. The simultaneous occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, computer vision syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders is more among employees than students and those who are both employees and students. Employees who use computer daily for more than four hours are more likely subjected to the risks of all these four health disorders. The study concludes that by observing some rules of using computer, minimizing and treating of these disorders are possibleKeywords: Computer, Prolonged use, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Computer Vision Syndrome, Health Disorders, Employees, Students.

Primary Care Provider Management of Anxiety and Depression in Palliative Patients

Anxiety and depression are common psychological experiences in patients who have advanced disease and are often unrecognized and undertreated. This study examined how primary care providers assess, identify and treat anxiety and depression in patients who have advanced disease, as well as to illustrate to what extent social work and mental health services are currently being utilized to address these psychological issues. Primary care providers at two rural clinics in Northern Wisconsin were invited to participate in this study, including Family Practice and Internal Medicine Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants who provide primary care to patients, including patients who have advanced stages of disease. Of these two clinics, one clinic is piloting a Patient Centered Home Model of patient care and the other is a traditional primary care clinic. Nine Internal Medicine and Family Practice Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants from one rural medical clinic participated in this study using a one time, qualitative interview by means of a semi-structured interview format. Inductive grounded theory methods were used to analyze the data. Several themes were identified in this study which supports previous research such as the need for additional physician education; lack of standard screening tools; and the issue of time constraints that affect the physician’s ability to identify and treat anxiety and depression in palliative care patients. There were two surprise findings: one theme was that there was not a clear definition of palliative care, therefore affecting the identification of palliative care patients and the other was the high utilization and support for social workers in the primary care setting. The findings of this research support the need to implement social work services in the clinic setting to assist the primary care providers with many psychosocial issues including the emotional needs of patients who have advanced disease

Primary Care Provider Management of Anxiety and Depression in Palliative Patients

Anxiety and depression are common psychological experiences in patients who have advanced disease and are often unrecognized and undertreated. This study examined how primary care providers assess, identify and treat anxiety and depression in patients who have advanced disease, as well as to illustrate to what extent social work and mental health services are currently being utilized to address these psychological issues. Primary care providers at two rural clinics in Northern Wisconsin were invited to participate in this study, including Family Practice and Internal Medicine Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants who provide primary care to patients, including patients who have advanced stages of disease. Of these two clinics, one clinic is piloting a Patient Centered Home Model of patient care and the other is a traditional primary care clinic. Nine Internal Medicine and Family Practice Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants from one rural medical clinic participated in this study using a one time, qualitative interview by means of a semi-structured interview format. Inductive grounded theory methods were used to analyze the data. Several themes were identified in this study which supports previous research such as the need for additional physician education; lack of standard screening tools; and the issue of time constraints that affect the physician’s ability to identify and treat anxiety and depression in palliative care patients. There were two surprise findings: one theme was that there was not a clear definition of palliative care, therefore affecting the identification of palliative care patients and the other was the high utilization and support for social workers in the primary care setting. The findings of this research support the need to implement social work services in the clinic setting to assist the primary care providers with many psychosocial issues including the emotional needs of patients who have advanced disease

Upper limb neuropathy in computer operators? A clinical case study of 21 patients

BACKGROUND: The character of upper limb disorder in computer operators remains obscure and their treatment and prevention have had limited success. Symptoms tend to be mostly perceived as relating to pathology in muscles, tendons or insertions. However, the conception of a neuropathic disorder would be supported by objective findings reflecting the common complaints of pain, subjective weakness, and numbness/tingling. By examining characteristics in terms of symptoms, signs, and course, this study aimed at forming a hypothesis concerning the nature and consequences of the disorder. METHODS: I have studied a consecutive series of 21 heavily exposed and severely handicapped computer-aided designers. Their history was recorded and questionnaire information was collected, encompassing their status 1/2 – 1 1/2 years after the initial clinical contact. The physical examination included an assessment of the following items: Isometric strength in ten upper limb muscles; sensibility in five homonymously innervated territories; and the presence of abnormal tenderness along nerve trunks at 14 locations. RESULTS: Rather uniform physical findings in all patients suggested a brachial plexus neuropathy combined with median and posterior interosseous neuropathy at elbow level. In spite of reduced symptoms at follow-up, the prognosis was serious in terms of work-status and persisting pain. CONCLUSIONS: This small-scale study of a clinical case series suggests the association of symptoms to focal neuropathy with specific locations. The inclusion of a detailed neurological examination would appear to be advantageous with upper limb symptoms in computer operators

A cross-sectional study of the relation between symptoms and physical findings in computer operators

BACKGROUND: The character of upper limb disorder in computer operators is subject to debate. A peripheral nerve-involvement is suggested from the common presence of a triad of symptoms consisting of pain, paraestesiae and subjective weakness, and from physical findings suggesting neuropathy. This study aimed to examine the outcome of a detailed neurological examination in computer operators and to compare findings with the presence of symptoms. METHODS: 96 graphical computer operators answered a modified Nordic Questionnaire including information on perceived pain in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist/hand scored for each region on a VAS-scale 0 – 9. In addition, they underwent a physical examination including the subjective assessment of the individual function of 11 upper limb muscles, of algesia in five and vibratory threshold in three territories, respectively, and of mechanosensitivity of nerves at seven locations. In order to reflect an involvement of the brachial plexus (chord level), the posterior interosseous nerve and the median nerve at elbow level we defined three patterns of neurological findings illustrating the course of nerves and their innervation. The pain scores summarized for the three upper limb regions (min. = 0, max = 27) in the mouse-operating and contralateral limbs were compared by a Wilcoxon test and the relation to each physical item analyzed by Kendall's rank correlation. The relation of summarized pain to each pattern was studied by application of a test of the trend across ordered groups (patterns). RESULTS: Pain, paraestesiae and subjective weakness was reported for 67, 23, and 7 mouse-operating limbs, respectively, with the summarized pain scores exceeding 4 in 33 limbs. Abnormal physical findings were prevalent. The summarized pain was significantly related to a reduced function in five muscles, to mechanical allodynia at one location and to elevated threshold to vibration in two territories. Brachial plexopathy was diagnosed in 9/2, median neuropathy in 13/5 and posterior interosseous neuropathy in 13/8 mouse operating/contralateral limbs, respectively. The summarized pain was significantly higher in the mouse-operating limbs and in limbs with any of the defined patterns. There was a significant trend between the summarized pain and the summarized scores for the items contained in each pattern. CONCLUSION: This small-scale study of a group of computer-operators currently in work and with no or minor upper limb symptoms has indicated in symptomatic subjects the presence of peripheral nerve-afflictions with specific locations

Computer work and musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity: A systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This review examines the evidence for an association between computer work and neck and upper extremity disorders (except carpal tunnel syndrome).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic critical review of studies of computer work and musculoskeletal disorders verified by a physical examination was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 22 studies (26 articles) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results show limited evidence for a causal relationship between computer work per se, computer mouse and keyboard time related to a diagnosis of wrist tendonitis, and for an association between computer mouse time and forearm disorders. Limited evidence was also found for a causal relationship between computer work per se and computer mouse time related to tension neck syndrome, but the evidence for keyboard time was insufficient. Insufficient evidence was found for an association between other musculoskeletal diagnoses of the neck and upper extremities, including shoulder tendonitis and epicondylitis, and any aspect of computer work.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There is limited epidemiological evidence for an association between aspects of computer work and some of the clinical diagnoses studied. None of the evidence was considered as moderate or strong and there is a need for more and better documentation.</p

Video display operator complaints: A 10-year follow-up of visual fatigue and refractive disorders

Visual fatigue and discomfort are very common complaints for video display operators (VDTs). The aim of our study was to study work-related visual symptoms in relation to refractive disorders and psychosocial factors in 3054 public employees by way of follow-ups for 10 years with periodic medical examinations with eye evaluation in the period 2000-2009. Factors related to visual fatigue were evaluated in the follow-up using generalized equation estimation. Visual fatigue was very common in VDT operators (64.03%). During the follow-up, no relationship between visual fatigue and age, sex, seniority of work, visual acuity and refractory disorders was found. Visual fatigue was significantly associated with anxiety perception in a dose-related matter (odds ratio (OR) 7.40, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.77-31.3), psychosocial factors (OR 1.03, CI 95% 1.01-1.07), use of lenses (OR 1.34, CI 95% 1.09-1.64) and time of VDT usage (OR 1.27, CI 95% 1.04-1.53). This study confirmed that visual fatigue is common in VDT users and is related to anxiety perception, time of VDT usage, use of lenses and stress. No relationship was found between visual fatigue and refractory disorders or visual acuit

Risk factor assessment of digital eye strain during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Shifting to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic has increased the number of individuals symptomatic of digital eye strain (DES). This study aimed to determine the frequency and potential risk factors of DES among university staff members and students in this pandemic era. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the pandemic, in May and June 2020. The online questionnaire was designed to collect data on DES-related ocular and extraocular manifestations. The survey was sent via social media to the previous year’s students and staff within the Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt. The responses were downloaded and analyzed. Results: Of the 412 participants completing the questionnaire, 34 (8.3%) were university staff members with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 36.7 (6.6) years, and 378 (91.7%) were university students with a mean (SD) age of 20.8 (1.8) years. Participants with DES symptoms numbered 294 (71.4%) before the lockdown, increasing to 366 (88.8%) during the last month, with 84 developing new-onset DES. Most participants reported ocular symptoms associated with DES. After the lockdown, both students and staff had a significant prolongation of nighttime digital screen use and TV watching, an increase in the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) severity scale scores, and anxiety and depression, with a reduced duration of daytime reading (all P &lt; 0.05). Students had a significant prolongation of daytime digital screen use and TV watching and an increase in the frequency of eye lubricant use and mean Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-4 scores (all P &lt; 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that studenthood and increased nighttime screen use were independent risk factors for DES by odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 10.60 (2.12 – 53.00) and 3.99 (1.71 – 9.34), respectively (both P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Lockdown and closure of the university, with a shift to online learning, increased the exposure of staff and students to digital screens and the number of individuals with DES. Studenthood and prolonged nighttime digital screen use were independent risk factors for DES. Further studies investigating the prevalence and risk factors of DES, comparing similar data during and after the pandemic, may reveal other aspects of DES caused by virtual reality-based training