Work-Related Cumulative Trauma Disorders and Interpreters for the Deaf

Scheuerle, Jane; Guilford, Arthur M.; Habal, Mutaz B.

doi:10.1080/104732200301386

“…Despite some variation and even disagreement among these studies, a causal relationship is apparent between prolonged exposure to repetitive and forceful hand-intensive tasks, highly repetitive hand-intensive tasks, vibration, psychosocial stress at work, and the development of CTS or other hand/wrist WMSDs. 1,40,53,66,85,97,100,109 In addition, concurrent, comorbid medical conditions or past wrist trauma increase CTS risk. 9,53,66 The additional risk factors of awkward or sustained UE postures also contribute to hand/wrist tendinitis, strains, and sprains, 92,97 which are the most common UE WMSDs.…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Hand and Wrist Wmsdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,40,53,66,85,97,100,109 In addition, concurrent, comorbid medical conditions or past wrist trauma increase CTS risk. 9,53,66 The additional risk factors of awkward or sustained UE postures also contribute to hand/wrist tendinitis, strains, and sprains, 92,97 which are the most common UE WMSDs. 20,49 UE WMSDs have a higher prevalence and incidence in women, especially those who work in the service industries and who have psychosocial stress at work.…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Hand and Wrist Wmsdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Hand and Wrist: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Sensorimotor Changes

Barr

¹

,

Barbe²,

Clark³

2004

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther

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The purpose of this commentary is to present recent epidemiological findings regarding work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of the hand and wrist, and to summarize experimental evidence of underlying tissue pathophysiology and sensorimotor changes in WMSDs. Sixty-five percent of the 333 800 newly reported cases of occupational illness in 2001 were attributed to repeated trauma. WMSDs of the hand and wrist are associated with the longest absences from work and are, therefore, associated with greater lost productivity and wages than those of other anatomical regions. Selected epidemiological studies of hand/wrist WMSDs published since 1998 are reviewed and summarized. Results from selected animal studies concerning underlying tissue pathophysiology in response to repetitive movement or tissue loading are reviewed and summarized. To the extent possible, corroborating evidence in human studies for various tissue pathomechanisms suggested in animal models is presented. Repetitive, handintensive movements, alone or in combination with other physical, nonphysical, and nonoccupational risk factors, contribute to the development of hand/wrist WMSDs. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms of tissue injury include inflammation followed by repair and/or fibrotic scarring, peripheral nerve injury, and central nervous system reorganization. Clinicians should consider all of these pathomechanisms when examining and treating patients with hand/wrist WMSDs.

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“…Smith and colleagues (2000) also found that 26% of their respondents experienced pain severe enough to negatively impact their work. The results from these two recent studies (Scheuerle, Guilford, and Habal 2000;Smith, Kress, and Hart 2000) suggest that even with the greater awareness of musculoskeletal disorders related to sign language interpreting since Feuerstein and colleagues (1997) completed their first prevalence study, musculoskeletal disorders are still quite common among this population of workers.…”

Section: Background and Social Costsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…In a more recent prevalence study, Scheuerle, Guilford, and Habal (2000) surveyed a random sample of 250 certified interpreters, with 145 responses. These participants were identified from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and mailed a questionnaire about their experience of pain and discomfort during and after interpreting.…”

Section: Background and Social Costsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An interpreter's interpretation: Sign language interpreters' view of musculoskeletal disorders

Johnson¹

2003

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Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S) SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for public release; distribution unlimited SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ABSTRACTSign language interpreters are at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders. The present study used content analysis to obtain detailed information from the interpreter's point of view. Risk factors for initiation and/or exacerbation of symptoms included: difficult job, setting (educational), style (e.g., posture, self generated force), and emotional and physical stressors. Symptom management included self-care methods such as exercise, diet, and warm up prior to interpreting. Coping strategies that were more active (e.g. more control over work schedule) were reported as useful. Additional findings included the use of complementary alternative medicine, the possible preventative use of exercise in these upper extremity disorders, and a starting point for exposure levels to interpreting situations. The results also highlight the need to investigate the clinical effectiveness of approaches such as acupuncture and the use of active coping behaviors in the prevention and management of these symptoms. COPYRIGHT STATEMENTThe author hereby certifies that the use of any copyrighted material in the thesis manuscript entitled:"An Interpreter's Interpretation: Sign Language Interpreters' View of Musculoskeletal Disorders" beyond brief excerpts is with the permission of the copyright owner, and will save and hold harmless the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences from any damage which may arise from such copyright violations. iv iv

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“…Despite some variation and even disagreement among these studies, a causal relationship is apparent between prolonged exposure to repetitive and forceful hand-intensive tasks, highly repetitive hand-intensive tasks, vibration, psychosocial stress at work, and the development of CTS or other hand/wrist WMSDs. 1,40,53,66,85,97,100,109 In addition, concurrent, comorbid medical conditions or past wrist trauma increase CTS risk. 9,53,66 The additional risk factors of awkward or sustained UE postures also contribute to hand/wrist tendinitis, strains, and sprains, 92,97 which are the most common UE WMSDs.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Hand and Wrist: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Sensorimotor Changes

Barr¹

2004

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The purpose of this commentary is to present recent epidemiological findings regarding work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of the hand and wrist, and to summarize experimental evidence of underlying tissue pathophysiology and sensorimotor changes in WMSDs. Sixty-five percent of the 333 800 newly reported cases of occupational illness in 2001 were attributed to repeated trauma. WMSDs of the hand and wrist are associated with the longest absences from work and are, therefore, associated with greater lost productivity and wages than those of other anatomical regions. Selected epidemiological studies of hand/wrist WMSDs published since 1998 are reviewed and summarized. Results from selected animal studies concerning underlying tissue pathophysiology in response to repetitive movement or tissue loading are reviewed and summarized. To the extent possible, corroborating evidence in human studies for various tissue pathomechanisms suggested in animal models is presented. Repetitive, hand-intensive movements, alone or in combination with other physical, nonphysical, and nonoccupational risk factors, contribute to the development of hand/wrist WMSDs. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms of tissue injury include inflammation followed by repair and/or fibrotic scarring, peripheral nerve injury, and central nervous system reorganization. Clinicians should consider all of these pathomechanisms when examining and treating patients with hand/wrist WMSDs. Keywordscarpal tunnel syndrome; hand/wrist tendinitis; inflammation; neuroplasticity; repetitive-motion injuryThe US Department of Labor 20 defines work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) as injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs associated with exposure to risk factors in the workplace. WMSDs do not include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents, or similar accidents. 20 Sixty-five percent of the 333 800 newly reported cases of occupational illness in 2001 were attributed to repeated trauma. 21 WMSDs account for approximately one third of all lost workday illnesses. 20Address correspondence to Dr Ann E. Barr, Physical Therapy Department, College of Health Professions, Temple University, 3307 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. E-mail: aebarr@temple.edu. Sources of grant support: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Grant # AR46426 (to AEB); Foundation for Physical Therapy, New Investigator Fellowship Training Initiative Award (to AEB); National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Grant # OH03970 (to MFB). Detailed summaries of the studies reviewed by NIOSH and the NRC will not be repeated here. The interested reader is encouraged to consult these documents and their extensive bibliographies. NIH Public AccessBoth the NIOSH and NRC reviews identified gaps in the literature with the hope of guiding future research. In recent years, investigators have begun to address some of these issues. For this commentary, only epidemiolo...

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Work-Related Cumulative Trauma Disorders and Interpreters for the Deaf

Cited by 20 publications

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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Hand and Wrist: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Sensorimotor Changes

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Hand and Wrist: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Sensorimotor Changes

An interpreter's interpretation: Sign language interpreters' view of musculoskeletal disorders

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Hand and Wrist: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Sensorimotor Changes

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