Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Automobile Assembly Workers and Assessment of Risk Factors

Werner, Robert A.; Franzblau, Alfred; Gell, Nancy; Hartigan, Anne; Ebersole, Marissa L.; Armstrong, Thomas J.

doi:10.1097/01.jom.0000171065.17288.a0

Cited by 58 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…The correspondence has been moderate, even though the strain index identified more hazardous jobs than the HAL method (74,75). An association with upper-limb disorders has been seen in several cross-sectional studies (75,78,83,84) as well as in prospective longitudinal studies (85)(86)(87)(88)(89)(90). The intra-and inter-observer repeatability has been moderate to good (82,91).…”

Section: The American Conference Of Governmental Industrial Hygienistmentioning

confidence: 79%

Systematic evaluation of observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures at work

Takala¹,

Pehkonen²,

Forsman³

et al. 2009

Scand J Work Environ Health

454

353

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Objectives This systematic review aimed to identify published observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures in occupational settings and evaluate them with reference to the needs of different users. MethodsWe searched scientific databases and the internet for material from 1965 to September 2008. Methods were included if they were primarily based on the systematic observation of work, the observation target was the human body, and the method was clearly described in the literature. A systematic evaluation procedure was developed to assess concurrent and predictive validity, repeatability, and aspects related to utility. At least two evaluators independently carried out this evaluation. ResultsWe identified 30 eligible observational methods. Of these, 19 had been compared with some other method(s), varying from expert evaluation to data obtained from video recordings or through the use of technical instruments. Generally, the observations showed moderate-to-good agreement with the corresponding assessments made from video recordings; agreement was the best for large-scale body postures and work actions. Postures of wrist and hand as well as trunk rotation seemed to be more difficult to observe correctly. Intra-and inter-observer repeatability were reported for 7 and 17 methods, respectively, and were judged mostly to be moderate or good.good. . ConclusionsWith training, observers can reach consistent results on clearly visible body postures and work activities. Many observational tools exist, but none evaluated in this study appeared to be generally superior. When selecting a method, users should define their needs and assess how results will influence decision-making.

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Section: The American Conference Of Governmental Industrial Hygienistmentioning

confidence: 79%

Systematic evaluation of observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures at work

Takala¹,

Pehkonen²,

Forsman³

et al. 2009

Scand J Work Environ Health

454

353

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Most of the research performed on the association between CTS and work activities has involved its incidence or prevalence among specific occupational groups (1)(2)(3) or in association with different types of work activities categorized according to repetitiveness and force (4). Although keyboard use may be described as highly repetitive work, hand activities involved in keyboard use do not resemble other types of repetitive activities reported to adversely affect the median nerve at the wrist.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Carpal tunnel syndrome and keyboard use at work: A population‐based study

Atroshi

Gummesson

Ornstein

et al. 2007

Arthritis & Rheumatism

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Objective. To investigate the relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and keyboard use at work in a general population.Methods. A health status questionnaire was mailed to 2,465 persons of working age (25-65 years) who were randomly selected from the general population of a representative region of Sweden. The questionnaire required the subjects to provide information about the presence and severity of pain, numbness and tingling in each body region, employment history, and work activities, including average time spent using a keyboard during a usual working day. Those reporting recurrent hand numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution were asked to undergo a physical examination and nerve conduction testing. The prevalence of CTS, defined as symptoms plus abnormal results on nerve conduction tests, was compared between groups of subjects that differed in their intensity of keyboard use, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status.Results. Eighty-two percent responded to the questionnaire, and 80% of all symptomatic persons attended the examinations. Persons who had reported intensive keyboard use on the questionnaire were significantly less likely to be diagnosed as having CTS than were those who had reported little keyboard use, with a prevalence that increased from 2.6% in the highest keyboard use group (>4 hours/day), to 2.9% in the moderate use group (1 to <4 hours/day), 4.9% in the low use group (<1 hour/day), and 5.2% in the no keyboard use at work group (P for trend ‫؍‬ 0.032). Using >1 hour/day to designate high keyboard use and <1 hour/ day to designate low keyboard use, the prevalence ratio of CTS in the groups with high to low keyboard use was 0.55 (95% confidence interval 0.32, 0.96). Conclusion. Intensive keyboard use appears to be associated with a lower risk of CTS.Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly cited as one of the possible harmful effects of intensive computer work. Most of the research performed on the association between CTS and work activities has involved its incidence or prevalence among specific occupational groups (1-3) or in association with different types of work activities categorized according to repetitiveness and force (4). Although keyboard use may be described as highly repetitive work, hand activities involved in keyboard use do not resemble other types of repetitive activities reported to adversely affect the median nerve at the wrist. Few studies concerning the occupational risk factors of CTS have specifically involved keyboard use, and such studies were typically conducted with occupational groups rather than general populations (5), which may make the results more subject to bias in symptom or exposure reporting. In addition, results have usually been discussed in terms of whether or not intensive keyboard use is associated with an increased risk of CTS (6). However, this relationship has not been investigated in population-based studies of CTS, and the type of relationship remains uncertain.

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“…These criteria are supported by other authors [14][15][16]. Inclusion of only one of these variables (electrodiagnostic results or median nerve symptoms) increases the number of cases substantially [17,18] but increases misclassification of cases. Varying the electrodiagnostic cut points for an abnormal classification will also alter the number of cases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…Varying the electrodiagnostic cut points for an abnormal classification will also alter the number of cases. Physical examination findings, though commonly employed, have shown poor validity and reliability in epidemiological settings [5,[17][18][19][20][21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliability of Hand Diagrams for the Epidemiologic Case Definition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Strickland¹,

Symanzik

Franzblau

et al. 2008

J Occup Rehabil

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Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Automobile Assembly Workers and Assessment of Risk Factors

Abstract: This is similar to other prospective studies that demonstrate both ergonomic and medical history are independent risk factors for development of CTS.

Cited by 58 publications

References 32 publications

Systematic evaluation of observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures at work

Systematic evaluation of observational methods assessing biomechanical exposures at work

Carpal tunnel syndrome and keyboard use at work: A population‐based study

Reliability of Hand Diagrams for the Epidemiologic Case Definition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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