The Effect of Computer Using Workload on Work-Related Upper Extremity, Neck and Back Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office Workers

Authors

  • Tadpong Tantipanjaporn Division of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University
  • Yaowalak Yoonim
  • Yuwadee Tongmee Division of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University
  • Orawan Keeratisiroj Division of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University

Keywords:

Musculoskeletal Disorders; Office Worker; Computer Using Workload

Abstract

Background and Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational problem among computer workers. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and the effect of the computer using workload on MSDs.

Methods: Data were collected from 260 office computer workers of a university using a questionnaire regarding general characteristics and MSDs. Multiple logistic regression with adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval were used to analyze the effects of the computer using workload on MSDs. 

Results: The top three weighted scores of MSDs of office workers were lower back (15.22 ± 20.39), neck (14.87 ± 21.91) and right shoulder (12.01 ± 22.29), respectively. While the prevalence of MSDs occurred mostly in the neck (82.70%), lower back (74.60%) and right shoulder (61.90%). There were 52.3% of the workers that had the high computer using workload (computer usage greater than and equal to 7 hours/day).  The data showed that workers who had high computer using workload were more at risk of left shoulder pain (Adjusted OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.22 - 3.64), right shoulder pain (Adjusted OR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.04 - 3.16), left forearm pain (Adjusted OR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.13 - 4.08), right forearm pain (Adjusted OR = 2.02, 95%CI = 1.10 - 3.70), left wrist pain (Adjusted OR = 2.25, 95%CI = 1.23 - 4.14) and right wrist pain (Adjusted OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.00 - 2.95) than workers who had low computer using workload.

Conclusion: The results showed that high computer using workload could potentially affect MSDs. The results suggested that management on the computer using workload should appropriately conduct.

References

1. Adedoyin RA, Idowu BO, Adagunodo RE, Owoyomi AA, Idowu PA. Musculoskeletal pain associated with the use of computer systems in Nigeria. Technol Health Care 2005; 13: 125-30.
2. จามรี สอนบุตร, พิชญา พรรคทองสุข, สุภาภรณ์ เต็งไตรสรณ์. ความชุกและปัจจัยที่มีผลต่อความล้าของตาในผู้ปฏิบัติงานกับเครื่องคอมพิวเตอร์ของคณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์. สงขลานครินทร์เวชสาร 2552; 27: 91-104.
3. Bernard BP. Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors: Critical review of epidemiology evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity and low back factors. 1997 [Cited May 9, 2017]. Available form: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-141/pdfs/97-141.pdf
4. Simoneau S, ST-Vincent M, Chioine D. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), 1996 [Cited 2017 May 9]. Available form: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/PubIRSST/RG-126-ang.pdf
5. Infrastructure Health & Safety Association. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) Risk factors, [Cited 2017 May 9]. Available form: https://www.ihsa.ca/pdfs/safety_talks/msd_risk_factors.pdf
6. Janwantanakul P, Pensri P, Jiamjarasrangsi W, Sinsongsook T. The relationship between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms attributed to work and risk factors in office workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2010; 83: 273–81.
7. Cho CY, Hwang YS, Cherng RJ. Musculoskeletal symptoms and associated risk factors among office workers with high workload computer use. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2012; 35: 534-40.
8. Ayanniyi O, Ukpai BOO, and Adeniyi AF. Differences in prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among computer and non-computer users in a Nigerian population: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010; 11: 177.
9. Janwantanakul P, Pensri P, Jiamjarasrangsri V, Sinsongsook T. Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. Occup Med (Lond) 2008; 58: 436-8.
10. Mainenti MR, Felicio LR, Rodrigues Ede C, Ribeiro da Silva DT, Vigário Dos Santos P. Pain, Work-related Characteristics, and Psychosocial Factors among Computer Workers at a University Center. J Phys Ther Sci 2014; 26: 567-73.
11. Eltayeb S, Staal JB, Hassan A, de Bie RA. Work related risk factors for neck, shoulder and arms complaints: a cohort study among Dutch computer office workers. J Occup Rehabil 2009; 19: 315-22.
12. Saleem M, Priya S, Govindarajan R, Balaji E, Diwahar Anguraj J, ShylendraBabu PG, et al. A cross sectional study on work related musculoskeletal disorders among software professionals. Int J Community Med Public Health 2015; 2: 367-72.
13. เมธินี ครุสันธิ์ และสุนิสา ชายเกลี้ยง. การประเมินความเสี่ยงทางการยศาสตร์ในพนักงานสำนักงานมหาวิทยาลัย. วารสารวิจัย มข. 2557; 19: 696-707.
14. พาวิณี ใจบาน, วีระพร ศุทธากรณ์ และธานี แก้วธรรมานุกูล. ปัจจัยด้านการยศาสตร์และอาการผิดปกติโครงร่างกล้ามเนื้อ ของบุคลากรสายสนับสนุนในโรงพยาบาลที่ทำงานกับคอมพิวเตอร์. พยาบาลสาร 2556; 40: 1-11.
15. Melek Ardahan and Hatice Simsek. Analyzing musculoskeletal system discomforts and risk factors in computer-using office workers. Pak J Med Sci 2016; 32: 1425-29.
16. Moom RK, Sing LP, Moom N. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorder among Computer Bank Office Employees in Punjab (India): A Case Study. Procedia Manufacturing 2015; 3: 6624-31.
17. Chaikaen W, Chanprasit C, Kaewthummanukul T. Ergonomic Factors and Prevalence Rate of Musculoskeletal Pain among Workers in SemiconductorIndustries in the NorthernRegion Industrial. JHealthScience 2007; 16: 226-33.
18. Hedge A. Ergonomics with flair. Popular Mech 2003; 108: 28-9.
19. Andersen JH, Harhoff M, Grimstrup S, Vilstrup I, Lassen CF, Brandt LP, et al. Computer mouse use predicts acute pain but not prolonged or chronic pain in the neck and shoulder. Occup Environ Med 2008; 65: 126-31.
20. Chang CH, Amick BC, Menendez CC, Katz JN, Johnson PW, Robertson M, et al. Daily computer usage correlated with undergraduate students' musculoskeletal symptoms. Am J Ind Med 2007; 50: 481–8.
21. Ortiz-Hernández L, Tamez-González S, Martínez-Alcántara S, Mé;ndez-Ramírez I. Computer use increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among newspaper office workers. Arch Med Res 2003; 34: 331-42.
22. Ijmker S, Huysmans MA, van der Beek AJ, Knol DL, van Mechelen W, Bongers PM, et al. Software-recorded and self-reported duration of computer use in relation to the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand pain and neck-shoulder pain. Occup Environ Med 2011; 68: 502-9.
23. Cochran WG. (1953). Sampling Techiques. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Inc.
24. ภัทรศยาภรณ์ บุญตาแสง. ความชุกของอาการความผิดปกติของระบบโรงร่างกระดูกและกล้ามเนื้อและการประเมินความเสี่ยงด้วยเทคนิค ROSA ในพนักงานสายสนับสนุนในมหาวิทยาลัยแห่งหนึ่ง[วิทยานิพนธ์วิทยาศาสตรบัณฑิต]. พิษณุโลก: มหาวิทยาลัยนเรศวร; 2559.
25. Hedge A, Morimoto S, McCrobie D. Effects of keyboard tray geometry on upper body posture and comfort. Ergonomics 1999; 42: 1333-49.
26. Collins JD, O'Sullivan LW. Musculoskeletal disorder prevalence and psychosocial risk exposures by age and gender in a cohort of office based employees in two academic institutions. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 2015; 46: 85-97.
27. พรทิพย์ จงใจ. ปัจจัยเสี่ยงของกลุ่มอาการผิดปกติทางระบบโครงร่างและกล้ามเนื้อของรยางค์ส่วนบนในผู้ประกอบอาชีพกรีดยางพารา[วิทยานิพนธ์พยาบาลศาสตรมหาบัณฑิต]. ชลบุรี: มหาวิทยาลัยบูรพา; 2557.

Published

2019-02-20

How to Cite

1.
Tantipanjaporn T, Yoonim Y, Tongmee Y, Keeratisiroj O. The Effect of Computer Using Workload on Work-Related Upper Extremity, Neck and Back Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office Workers. SRIMEDJ [Internet]. 2019 Feb. 20 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];34(1):60-7. Available from: https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/SRIMEDJ/article/view/173306

Issue

Section

Original Articles