Software-recorded and self-reported duration of computer use in relation to the onset of severe arm–wrist–hand pain and neck–shoulder pain
OPEN ACCESS- Stefan IJmker1,2,3,
- Maaike A Huysmans1,2,
- Allard J van der Beek1,2,
- Dirk L Knol4,
- Willem van Mechelen1,2,
- Paulien M Bongers1,2,3,
- Birgitte M Blatter1,3
- 1Body@Work Research Centre on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU/VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- 2Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- 3TNO Quality of Life, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
- 4Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence to Dr Birgitte Blatter, TNO Quality of Life, Polarisavenue 151, 2132 JJ Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; birgitte.blatter{at}tno.nl
- Accepted 30 September 2010
- Published Online First 2 November 2010
Abstract
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.
- Computers
- neck
- upper extremity
- longitudinal studies
- epidemiology
- ergonomics
- musculoskeletal
- longitudinal studies
- video-display units
Footnotes
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Competing interests None.
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Patient consent Obtained.
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Ethics approval Ethics approval was provided by the Medical Ethics Committee of the VU University Medical Centre.
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Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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