Predictors of neck and shoulder pain in non-secretarial computer users

Poor typing skill is associated with long periods of time spent in extreme positions of neck flexion. There are clear links between sustained periods of neck flexion and musculoskeletal pain. Hours of computer use, perceived stress levels and workstation factors have also been found to be associated with upper extremity musculoskeletal pain, Previous studies of computer users have concentrated on secretarial and clerical workers. Recently, there has been considerable growth in computer usage by managerial and professional staff. Factors that may differ in this population are the level of typing skill, hours of computer use, stress levels and workstation factors. An epidemiological field study was conducted to determine the incidence of neck and shoulder pain in a non-secretarial population of computer users and to test the hypotheses that poor typing skill, hours of computer use, tension score and poor workstation set-up are associated with neck and shoulder complaints. There were 170 subjects from seven Hong Kong workplaces. A computer-based questionnaire determined hours of computer use, neck and shoulder pain and tension levels. Workstation and postural factors were observed by the researcher. Sixty-five percent of subjects reported pain. Using regression analysis, tension score and gender were the only factors found to be predictive of neck and shoulder pain. Relevance to industry High incidences of neck and shoulder pain were found in this non-secretarial population of computer users. Tension score was the major determinant of pain in this study. Remedial interventions need to address tension as well as workstation. computer usage and training factors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.