Software-recorded and self-reported duration of computer use in relation to the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand pain and neck-shoulder pain

Software-recorded and self-reported duration of computer use in relation to the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand pain and neck-shoulder pain

IJmker, S.
Huysmans, M.A.
van der Beek, A.J.
Knol, D.L.
van Mechelen, W.
Bongers, P.M.
Blatter, B.M.

2011

Objectives: In both science and media, the adverse effects of a long duration of computer use at work on musculoskeletal health have long been debated. Until recently, the duration of computer use was mainly measured by self-reports, and studies using more objective measures, such as software-recorded computer duration, were lacking. The objective of this study was to examine the association between duration of computer use at work, measured with software and self-reports, and the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand and neck-shoulder symptoms. Methods: A 2-year follow-up study was conducted between 2004 and 2006 among 1951 office workers in The Netherlands. Self-reported computer duration and other risk factors were collected at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Computer use at work was recorded continuously with computer software for 1009 participants. Outcome questionnaires were obtained at baseline and every 3 months during follow-up. Cases were identified based on the transition within 3 months of no or minor symptoms to severe symptoms. Results: Self-reported duration of computer use was positively associated with the onset of both arm-wrist-hand (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.1 for more than 4 h/day of total computer use at work) and neck-shoulder symptoms (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0 for more than 4 h/day of mouse use at work). The recorded duration of computer use did not show any statistically significant association with the outcomes. Conclusions: In the present study, no association was found between the software-recorded duration of computer use at work and the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand and neck-shoulder symptoms using an exposure window of 3 months. In contrast, a positive association was found between the self-reported duration of computer use at work and the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand and neck-shoulder symptoms. The different findings for recorded and self-reported computer duration could not be explained satisfactorily.

Healthy living
HL - Healthy for life
Themalijn
Workplace
Shoulder pain
Neck pain
Arm
Wrist
Computer use
RSI

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3c68255b-2b6e-43f9-a608-1c81ea1a41a3

https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2010.056267

430378

1351-0711

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 68 (7), 502-509

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