A Comprehensive risk Assessment Model for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities

A quantitative risk assessment model determining the likelihood of incurring work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities has been developed based on grip force and hand motion data input from an innovative ‘touch glove’. This glove utilizes a commercial CyberGlove to measure hand and finger movements and UniForce pressure sensors to measure grip pressure during work. These are incorporated directly on-line to a laptop with the risk assessment model leading to a predicted incidence rate. The model explains 50% of the variance due to job stressors, with the remaining variability due to individual and psychosocial factors. These were examined in a pilot case-control retrospective epidemiological study of 97 participants, reducing the unexplained variability to almost less than 10%.