Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine

"Work-related musculoskeletal disorder"

Original Articles

Health-Related Quality of Life and Upper Extremity Pain in Workers Using Computer.: Roh, Sung Won , Park, Jong Woo , Han, Seung Hoon , Jang, Seong Ho , Kim, Mi Jung , Park, Si Bog , Lee, Kyu Hoon; J Korean Acad Rehabil Med 2010;34(3):325-335.

Abstract
PDF

Objective
To investigate the relationship between health- related quality of life (HRQOL) and upper extremity pain in workers using computer. Method: Ten thousand four hundred office workers using computer over 4 hours per day were enrolled, and two self-reported questionnaires were given to each candidate. First questionnaire included questions on location, duration, frequency and severity of pain, gender, age and history of alcohol, smoking and exercise. Second questionnaire used Korean job stress measurement scale (KJSMS) and medical outcome study 36 item short form health survey (SF-36) for assessing HRQOL. A total of 6,669 workers took part in interview. Results: Mean age of group with pain was lower than that of painless group. Male gender, working period of 11∼20 years, and smoking were associated with musculoskeletal pain, and similar result was found in group with no alcohol consumption, no exercise, and house chores for more than 2 hours per day. The short working period was associated with higher KJSMS Short Form score. For shoulder pain, only duty self-control showed significant difference according to pain scale in KJSMS. When adjusted with age, gender, working period, house chores and history of alcohol and smoking, there was no significant difference between musculoskeletal symptom and KJSMS, SF-36, respectively. Conclusion: Only shoulder pain and duty self-control score were related factors, comparing subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal pain and job stress. Additional investigation using strict definition and diagnostic criteria should be performed. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2010; 34: 325-335)

1,794 View
19 Download

The Desk Height and Keyboard Design as Determinants of Posture and Trapezius Tension.: Kim, Min Wook , Cho, Soo Hun , Han, Tai Ryoon , Chung, Sun Gun , Lee, Kyung Woo; J Korean Acad Rehabil Med 2002;26(4):461-469.

Abstract
PDF

Objective: To test the hypothesis that changing the desk height or keyboard design with fixed neck posture will change posture of the upper extremity and the trapezius tension, and to suggest the appropriate the desk height and the keyboard design to relieve the tension of the trapezius.

Method: Five men volunteered. Four desk heights (5 cm below, same as, 5 cm above, 10 cm above the olecranon) and three keyboard designs (flat, wrist support, natural) were set up. The posture of the upper extremity was analysed by 3 dimensional Ariel performance analysis system. The tension of trapezius was measured by surface EMG.

Results: The trapezius tension was low when the desk height was below the olecranon in 'flat' keyboard, and was low when the desk height was no higher than 5 cm above the olecranon in 'wrist support' and 'natural' keyboard. The trapezius tension went with the change of the shoulder flexion, abduction, elevation and the elbow flexion in 'flat' keyboard, and went with the change of the shoulder flexion and elevation in 'wrist support' and 'natural' keyboard.

Conclusion: To lessen the tension of the trapezius, the desk height should be below the olecranon in 'flat' keyboard and no higher than 5 cm above the olecranon in 'wrist support' and 'natural' keyboard. The keyboard design should include the wrist support which relieved the tension of trapezius by giving the resting point. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 461-469)