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 peak exposure to computer use a risk factor for neck and upper-extremity symptoms?

Objective Epidemiologic studies on physical exposure during computer use have mainly focused on average exposure duration. In this study, we aimed to relate periods of high peak exposure during computer use with the occurrence of neck-shoulder (NS) and arm-wrist-hand (AWH) symptoms. Methods A prospective cohort study among 1951 office workers was carried out for two years, with periodical questionnaires and continuous measurements of computer input use. To define peak exposure, a distinction was made between peak days and weeks. Peak days were defined as days with a long duration of computer (ie, ≥4 hours) or mouse use (ie, ≥2.5 hours) or days with high frequency of mouse (ie, ≥20 clicks per minute) or keyboard use (ie, ≥160 keystrokes per minute). Weeks containing ≥3 peak days were considered peak weeks. Independent variables were numbers of peak days and peak weeks during a 3-month measurement period; dependent variables were self-reported NS and AWH symptoms during the following 3-month measurement period. Results Valid data were available for 2116 measurements of 774 office workers. No relation was found between any of the peak exposure parameters and AWH symptoms or with peak exposure in duration and NS symptoms. Most parameters referring to high frequency-related peak exposure were associated with less NS symptoms, but the effect estimates were very small and the confidence intervals close to the null. Conclusion In this study, we found no indication that high peaks in computer use were related to the occurrence of NS or AWH symptoms. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Observed differences in upper extremity forces, muscle efforts, postures, velocities, and accelerations across computer activities in a field study of office workers

This study, a part of the PRedicting Occupational biomechanics in OFfice workers (PROOF) study, investigated whether there are differences in field-measured forces, muscle efforts, postures, velocities and accelerations across computer activities. These parameters were measured continuously for 120 office workers performing their own work for two hours each. There were differences in nearly all forces, muscle efforts, postures, velocities and accelerations across keyboard, mouse and idle activities. Keyboard activities showed a 50% increase in the median right trapezius muscle effort when compared to mouse activities. Median shoulder rotation changed from 25 degrees internal rotation during keyboard use to 15 degrees external rotation during mouse use. Only keyboard use was associated with median ulnar deviations greater than 5 degrees. Idle activities led to the greatest variability observed in all muscle efforts and postures measured. In future studies, measurements of computer activities could be used to provide information on the physical exposures experienced during computer use. Practitioner Summary: Computer users may develop musculoskeletal disorders due to their force, muscle effort, posture and wrist velocity and acceleration exposures during computer use. We report that many physical exposures are different across computer activities. This information may be used to estimate physical exposures based on patterns of computer activities over time. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Evaluation of occupational health interventions using a randomized controlled trial: Challenges and alternative research designs

Occupational health researchers regularly conduct evaluative intervention research for which a randomized controlled trial (RCT) may not be the most appropriate design (eg, effects of policy measures, organizational interventions on work schedules). This article demonstrates the appropriateness of alternative designs for the evaluation of occupational health interventions, which permit causal inferences, formulated along two study design approaches: experimental (stepped-wedge) and observational (propensity scores, instrumental variables, multiple baseline design, interrupted time series, difference-in-difference, and regression discontinuity). For each design, the unique characteristics are presented including the advantages and disadvantages compared to the RCT, illustrated by empirical examples in occupational health. This overview shows that several appropriate alternatives for the RCT design are feasible and available, which may provide sufficiently strong evidence to guide decisions on implementation of interventions in workplaces. Researchers are encouraged to continue exploring these designs and thus contribute to evidence-based occupational health

Dynamic Vortex Phases and Pinning in Superconductors with Twin Boundaries

We investigate the pinning and driven dynamics of vortices interacting with twin boundaries using large scale molecular dynamics simulations on samples with near one million pinning sites. For low applied driving forces, the vortex lattice orients itself parallel to the twin boundary and we observe the creation of a flux gradient and vortex free region near the edges of the twin boundary. For increasing drive, we find evidence for several distinct dynamical flow phases which we characterize by the density of defects in the vortex lattice, the microscopic vortex flow patterns, and orientation of the vortex lattice. We show that these different dynamical phases can be directly related to microscopically measurable voltage - current V(I) curves and voltage noise. By conducting a series of simulations for various twin boundary parameters we derive several vortex dynamic phase diagrams.Comment: 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Spina bifida and parental occupation in a Swedish register-based study.

Contains fulltext : 23011___.PDF (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Spina bifida and parental occupation

Item does not contain fulltextKatholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, 15 april 1997Promotores : Zielhuis, G.A., Gabreëls, F.J.M., Verbeek, A.L.M. Co-promotor : Roeleveld, N.163 p

Development of a risk evaluation tool for computer users

Congresbijdragen. Sixth International Scientific Conference on Prevention of Work-Related Musculosketal Disorders (PREMUS) Boston, USA, 27-30 august 2007

RSI-klachten in de Nederlandse beroepsbevolking : trends, risicofactoren en verklaringen

Het doel van de huidige studie is ten eerste om inzicht te krijgen in de prevalentie van werkgerelateerde RSI-klachten en het vóórkomen van risicofactoren in de werkzame Nederlandse beroepsbevolking. Het tweede doel is om te bepalen of er een toe- of afname is in RSI-klachten en risicofactoren tussen 2000 en 2002. Bovendien zijn de relaties tussen risicofactoren en RSI-klachten bestudeerd. Speciale aandacht gaat uit naar beeldschermwerkers en ICT-gerelateerde risicofactoren. De prevalentie van RSI-klachten is tussen 2000 en 2002 gestegen van 26% naar 28%. Vooral bij jongeren (20-25 jaar) is de prevalentie sterk gestegen. Beroepscategorieën waar gemiddeld over 2000 en 2002 veel RSI-klachten voorkomen zijn loodgieters (39%), secretaressen (35%), laders/lossers (34%), statistici (34%) en commerciële beroepen (33%). De zelfgerapporteerde duur van beeldschermwerk is bij beeldschermwerkers toegenomen. Bij beeldschermwerkers zijn vrouw zijn, 46-64 jaar oud zijn, 4-8 uur beeldschermwerk per dag verrichten en een hoge werkdruk risicofactoren voor RSI-klachten