Ascertaining computer use in studies of musculoskeletal outcomes among computer workers: differences between self-report and computer registration software

The results of a large prospective study of computer users show little association between input device use and musculoskeletal outcomes. Ordinarily, this study would simply be one more addition to the already large body of literature examining associations between computer use and musculoskeletal outcomes and one more citation included in the ‘negative association’ column of review papers. This is not an ordinary study, however. Unique to this investigation was its use of newly developed memory resident computer registration software that allows for the automated collection of computer and mouse activity over months or years. Using data collected with this software, IJmker et al 1 observed no association between computer and mouse use and severe distal upper extremity or neck–shoulder symptoms. Even more provocative was the simultaneous observation by IJmker et al 1 ( see page 502 ) that self-reported daily duration of computer use was significantly associated with distal upper extremity and neck–shoulder symptoms. With over one billion computers in use worldwide, the health effects of computer work continue to be relevant to occupational health practice. To our knowledge, nearly all previous large studies examining associations between computer use and musculoskeletal outcomes used self-reported metrics of computer use (most commonly hours per day or hours per week) as no other method was feasible for large epidemiological studies. Prior to the publication of the report by IJmker et al ,1 only one study was available in the literature in which computer use was ascertained with computer registration software.2 Although associations between computer activity and musculoskeletal symptoms were observed in that study, the small sample size (N=27) and other methodological limitations make it difficult to extend the results to other populations. Given their inclusion of new objective metrics of computer use duration, do the results of IJmker et al 1 supersede the …

[1]  Jack T Dennerlein,et al.  A Wide Range of Activity Duration Cutoffs Provided Unbiased Estimates of Exposure to Computer Use , 2008, Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene.

[2]  Maaike A Huysmans,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 , 2010, Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

[3]  Birgitte M. Blatter,et al.  Validity of two methods to assess computer use: Self-report by questionnaire and computer use software , 2007 .

[4]  Fredric Gerr,et al.  A prospective study of computer users: II. Postural risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. , 2002, American journal of industrial medicine.

[5]  Sigurd Mikkelsen,et al.  Validity of questionnaire self-reports on computer, mouse and keyboard usage during a four-week period , 2007, Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

[6]  Jens Wahlström,et al.  Ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders and computer work. , 2005, Occupational medicine.

[7]  F. Gerr,et al.  Keyboard use and musculoskeletal outcomes among computer users , 2006, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.

[8]  Thomas J Armstrong,et al.  Evaluation of three methodologies for assessing work activity during computer use. , 2003, AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety.

[9]  P M Bongers,et al.  A comparison of methods for the assessment of postural load and duration of computer use , 2004, Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

[10]  M. Robertson,et al.  Daily computer usage correlated with undergraduate students' musculoskeletal symptoms. , 2007, American journal of industrial medicine.

[11]  A. J. van der Beek,et al.  Should office workers spend fewer hours at their computer? A systematic review of the literature , 2006, Occupational and Environmental Medicine.