Visual Display Terminal Use Increases the Prevalence and Risk of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Chinese Office Workers: A Cross-sectional Study
Shanshan Wu
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorLihua He
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorJingyun Li
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jianxin Wang
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Beijing Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention and Centers for Preventive Medical Research, P.R. China
Correspondence to: S. Wang, L. He, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China (e-mail: [email protected], [email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorSheng Wang
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorShanshan Wu
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorLihua He
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorJingyun Li
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jianxin Wang
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Beijing Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention and Centers for Preventive Medical Research, P.R. China
Correspondence to: S. Wang, L. He, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China (e-mail: [email protected], [email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorSheng Wang
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Visual Display Terminal Use Increases the Prevalence and Risk of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Chinese Office Workers: A Cross-sectional Study: Shanshan WU, et al. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, P.R. China—
Objectives
Little is known about Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among computer users mainland China. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WMSDs in office workers in Beijing, and to determine risk factors for WMSDs in the neck (WMSDs-N).
Methods
In a cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was delivered to 720 office workers who use a computer as a main working tool. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for risk factors.
Results
The prevalence of WMSDs of the neck, shoulder, wrist/hand, upper back and low back amongst office workers were 55.5, 50.7, 31.5, 26.2 and 6.6%, respectively. Both individual risk factor and working condition factors were found to be independently related to WMSDs-N.
Conclusions
The WMSDs prevalence rates among office workers in Beijing, China, were high. The most affected area was the neck. Preventive measures for office work should be focused on the neck (e.g., rest breaks).
References
- 1 China Statistical Yearbook: By industry / employment size of the use of personal computers, connected to the Internet or a Web page/the number of Web site units. Beijing: National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China. [Online]. 2008 [cited 2008 Sept 21]; Available from: URL: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2008/html/W2349c.html
- 2Dane D, Feuerstein M, Huang G. Measurement properties of a self-report index of ergonomic exposures for use in an office environment. J Occup Environ Med 2002; 44: 73–81.
- 3Korhonen T, Ketola R, Toivonen R, et al. Work related and individual predictors for incident neck pain among office employees working with video display units. Occup Environ Med 2003; 60: 475–82.
- 4Blatter BM, Bongers PM. Duration of computer use and mouse use in relation to musculoskeletal disorders of neck or upper limb. Int J Ind Ergon 2002; 30: 295–306.
- 5Klussmann A, Gebhardt H, Liebers F, Rieger MA. Musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities and the neck: a cross sectional study on prevalence and symptom -predicting factors at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2008; 9: 96.
- 6Melhorn JM. The impact of workplace screening on the occurrence of cumulative trauma disorders and workers' compensation claims. J Occup Environ Med 1999; 41: 84–92.
- 7Nicholas RA, Feuerstein M, Suchday S. Work style and upper extremity symptoms: a biobehavioral perspective. J Occup Environ Med 2005; 47: 352–61.
- 8Sillanpää J, Huikko S, Nyberg M, et al. Effect of work with visual display units on musculo-skeletal disorders in the office environment. Occup Med 2003; 53: 443–51.
- 9Carter JB, Banister EW. Musculoskeletal problems in VDT work: review. Ergonomics 1994; 37: 1623–48.
- 10Kourinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal systems. Appl Ergon 1987; 18: 233–7.
- 11Johnstona V, Souvlisa T, Jimmiesonb NL, Jull G. Associations between individual and workplace risk factors for self-reported neck pain and disability among female office workers. Appl Ergon 2008; 39: 171–82.
- 12Hildebrandt VH, Bongers PM, vanDijk FJ, Kemper HC, Dul J. Dutch musculoskeletal questionnaire: description and basic qualities. Ergonomics 2001; 44: 1038–55.
- 13Ortiz-Hernádez L, Tamez-González S, Martínez-Alcántara S, Méndez-Ramírez I. Computer Use Increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among newspaper office workers. Archives of Medical Research 2003; 34: 331–42.
- 14 Queensland Government. Workplace Health and Safety, Q. Ergonomics workstations for keyboard operators. Brochure 031, 1997.
- 15Mcatamney L, Corlett EN. RLUA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Appl Ergon 1993; 24: 91–9.
- 16Polanyi MFD, Cole DC, Beaton DE, et al. Upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders among newspaper employees: cross-sectional survey results. Am J Ind Med 1997; 32: 620–8.
10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199712)32:6<620::AID-AJIM8>3.0.CO;2-T CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 17Juul-Kristensen B, Sogäärd K, Stroyer J, Jensen C. Computer users' risk factors for developing shoulder, elbow and back symptoms. Scand J Work Environ Health 2004; 30: 390–8.
- 18Boocock MG, Collier JMK, McNair PJ, et al. A framework for the classification and diagnosis of work-related upper extremity conditions: systematic review. Semi Arthritis Rheum 2009; 38: 296–311.
- 19Viikari-Juntura E, Martikainen R, Luukkonen R, et al. Longitudinal study on work related and individual risk factors affecting radiating neck pain. Occup Environ Med 2001; 58: 345–52.
- 20Treaster DE, Burr D. Gender differences in prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics 2004; 47: 495–526.
- 21Punnett L, Bergqvist U. Visual display unit work and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Stockholm: National Institute for Working Life; 997.
- 22Karlqvista L, Tornqvista EW, Hagberg M. Self Reported working conditions of VDU operators and associations with musculoskeletal symptoms: a cross-sectional study focussing on gender differences. Int J Ind Ergon 2002; 30: 277–94.
- 23Karlqvist L. Computer mouse and trac-ball operation: similarities and differences in posture, muscular load and perceived exertion. Int J Ind Ergon 1999; 23: 157–69.
- 24Yu IT, Wong TW. Musculoskeletal problems among VDU workers in a Hong Kong bank. Occup Med (Lond) 1996; 46: 275–80.
- 25 Canadian Labor Congress. Towards a more humanized technology: exploring the impact of video display terminals on health and working conditions of Canadian office workers. Ontario (Canada): Canadian Labor Congress; 1982.
- 26Knave BG, Wibom RI, Voss M, Hedstrom LD, Bergqvist UOV. Work with video display terminals among office employees, Subjective symptoms and discomfort. Scand J Work Environ Health 1985; 11: 457–66.
- 27Rossignol AM, Morse EP, Summers VM, Pagnotto LD. Video display terminal use and reported health symptoms among Massachusetts clerical workers. J Occup Med 1987; 29: 112–8.
- 28Faucett J, Rempel. VDT-related musculoskeletal symptoms: interactions between work posture and psychosocial work factors. Am J Ind Med 1994; 26: 597–612.
- 29Cagnie B, Danneels L, Van Tiggelen D, De Loose V, Cambier D. Individual and work related risk factors for neck pain among office workers: a cross sectional study. Eur Spine J 2007; 16: 679–86.
- 30Sim J, Lacey RJ, Lewis M. The impact of workplace risk factors on the occurrence of neck and upper limb pain: a general population study. BMC Public Health 2006; 6: 234.
- 31Ariens G, Bongers P, Douwes M, et al. Are neck flexion, neck rotation and sitting at work risk factors for neck pain? Results of a prospective cohort study. Occup Environ Med 2001; 58: 200–7.
- 32Ohlsson K, Attewell R, Paisson B. Repetitive industrial work and neck and upper limb disorders in females. Am J Ind Med 1995; 27: 731–47.
- 33Bernard BP. A critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back. Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors. Cincinnati (OH): National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); 1997.
- 34Harrison DE. Comparison of axial and flexural stresses in lordosis and three buckled configurations of the cervical spine. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2001; 16: 276–84.
- 35Galinsky TL, Swanson NG, Sauter SL, Hurrel JJ, Schleifer LM. A field study of supplementary rest breaks for data-entry operators. Ergonomics 2000; 43: 622–38.
- 36McLean L, Tingley M, Scott RN, Rickards J. Computer terminal work and the benefit of microbreaks. Appl Ergon 2001; 32: 225–37.
- 37Ortiz-Herna L, Tamez-Gonza LS, Mart AS. Computer Use Increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among newspaper office workers. Archives of Medical Research 2003; 34: 331–42.
- 38Winkel J, Oxenburgh. Towards optimizing physical activity in VDT/office work. Promoting Health and Productivity in the Computerized Office. Edited by S Sauter, M Dainoff, and M Smith. London: Taylor & Francis; 1990: 94–117.
- 39Dickinson CE, Campion K, Foster AF, et al. Questionnaire development: an examination of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Appl Ergon 1992; 23: 197–201.
- 40Frymoyer JW, Pope MH, Clements JH, et al. Risk factors in low back pain. J Bone & Joint Surg 1983; 65: 213–8.
