Effectiveness of an intervention programme on arm, shoulder and neck symptoms in computer workers

Dieen, J.H. van [Promotor]Beek, A.J. van der [Promotor]Hoozemans, M.J.M. [Copromotor]Blatter, B.M. [Copromotor

The predictive validity of the RSI QuickScan questionnaire with respect to arm, shoulder and neck symptoms in computer workers

The aim of this study was to determine whether results from the RSI QuickScan questionnaire on risk factors for arm, shoulder and neck symptoms can predict future arm, neck and shoulder symptoms in a population of computer workers. For this prospective cohort study, with a follow-up of 24 months, 3383 workers who regularly worked with a computer were approached. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) with 6, 12, 18 and 24 months time lags were used to determine whether high exposure was related to symptoms at follow-up. The results showed that high scores on 9 out of 13 scales, including previous symptoms, were significantly related to arm, shoulder and neck symptoms at follow-up. These results provide support for the predictive validity of the RSI QuickScan questionnaire.Practitioner Summary: The results showed that high scores on 9 out of 13 scales, including previous symptoms, were significantly related to arm, shoulder and neck symptoms at follow-up. The RSI QuickScan questionnaire may be recommended as a tool in the identification of computer workers who should be targeted with interventions aimed at prevention of future symptoms. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Is Sitting Too Much Bad for Your Health?

Office workers spend a large part of their workday sitting down. Too much sitting seems bad for people's health and puts them at risk for premature death. Workstation alternatives that allow desk work to be done while standing, walking, biking, or stepping reduce the total time spent sitting without affecting work performance much. Moreover, these alternatives seem acceptable to users. Future research is needed to determine long-term effects and whether results apply to different working populations. Ergonomists play an important role in developing recommendations for the setup and use of alternative workstations and in improving their feasibility