Background: Call centre work with computers is associated with increased rates of upper body pain and musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This one year, randomised controlled intervention trial evaluated the effects of a wide forearm support surface and a trackball on upper body pain severity and incident musculoskeletal disorders among 182 call centre operators at a large healthcare company. Participants were randomised to receive (1) ergonomics training only, (2) training plus a trackball, (3) training plus a forearm support, or (4) training plus a trackball and forearm support. Outcome measures were weekly pain severity scores and diagnosis of incident musculoskeletal disorder in the upper extremities or the neck/shoulder region based on physical examination performed by a physician blinded to intervention. Analyses using Cox proportional hazard models and linear regression models adjusted for demographic factors, baseline pain levels, and psychosocial job factors. Results: Post-intervention, 63 participants were diagnosed with one or more incident musculoskeletal disorders. Hazard rate ratios showed a protective effect of the armboard for neck/shoulder disorders (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.97) after adjusting for baseline pain levels and demographic and psychosocial factors. The armboard also significantly reduced neck/shoulder pain (p = 0.01) and right upper extremity pain (p = 0.002) in comparison to the control group. A return-on-investment model predicted a full return of armboard and installation costs within 10.6 months. Conclusion: Providing a large forearm support combined with ergonomic training is an effective intervention to prevent upper body musculoskeletal disorders and reduce upper body pain associated with computer work among call centre employees.
Cleaning a bathroom presents several risk factors for acute and cumulative musculoskeletal injury. This study attempted to determine if using a handled tool while cleaning a typical North American bathtub/shower combination reduces the stress placed on the musculoskeletal system when compared to the use of a spray cleaner and sponge. Nineteen right-handed female subjects cleaned a systematically dirtied shower/bathtub combination using a sponge and a handled tool 21 inches long. The subjects' rated their perceived strain and effort both during and after cleaning. Videotape was obtained simultaneously from three cameras at different locations in the test bathroom and subsequently analyzed for postural data. Subjective responses indicated that subjects felt more comfortable while using the handled tool, and the majority of respondents said they preferred it to a typical sponge and spray cleaner. Postural analysis clearly indicated that the handled tool allowed users to remain in more neutral wrist, shoulder, and trunk postures a greater percentage of the time, and enabled them to remain in less awkward, more stable foot and lower extremity positions. The handled tool significantly reduced the percentage of time that subjects spent cleaning the bathtub, but not the entire shower enclosure.
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