Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2008 Jun 27:9:96.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-9-96.

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities and the neck: a cross-sectional study on prevalence and symptom-predicting factors at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations

André Klussmann  1 , Hansjuergen Gebhardt, Falk Liebers, Monika A Rieger
Affiliations

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities and the neck: a cross-sectional study on prevalence and symptom-predicting factors at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations

André Klussmann et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the predictors of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremities and neck at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study 1,065 employees working at VDT > 1 h/d completed a standardised questionnaire. Workstation conditions were documented in a standardised checklist, and a subgroup of 82 employees underwent a physical examination.

Results: Using the Nordic Questionnaire, the 12-month prevalence of symptoms of the neck, shoulder region, hand/wrist, or elbow/lower arm was 55%, 38%, 21%, and 15% respectively. The duration of VDT work had a significant impact on the frequency of neck symptoms in employees performing such work > 6 h/d.

Conclusion: With regard to musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities, preventive measures at VDT workstations should be focused on neck and shoulder symptoms (e.g. ergonomic measures, breaks to avoid sitting over long periods).

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study participants.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Factors with possible influence on symptoms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Characteristics of the evaluated VDT workstations; n = 1,035.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Predictors for the 12-month symptom prevalence – final model: odds ratio with 95% confidence interval.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Diagnoses among the employees who underwent physical examination (n = 82) (multiple answers were possible).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Results of workstation evaluation and data of the BiFra database (2000–2005).
Figure 7
Figure 7
1-week prevalence of symptoms with 95% confidence interval (95%-CI). VDT workers (n = 1,065) (VDT) vs. random sample of German population derived from the German Health Survey (BGS) (extract: 20 to 60 years old, n = 5,208).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Kuorinka I, Forcier L. Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs): A reference book for prevention. London, Taylor & Francis; 1995.
    1. Kilbom A, Armstrong T, Buckle P, Fine L, Hagberg M, Haring-Sweeney M, Martin B, Punnett L, Silverstein B, Sjogaard G, Theorell T, Viikari-Juntura E. Musculoskeletal Disorders: Work-related Risk Factors and Prevention. Int J Occup Environ Health. 1996;2:239–246. - PubMed
    1. de Zwart BC, Broersen JP, Frings-Dresen MH, van Dijk F. Musculoskeletal complaints in The Netherlands in relation to age, gender and physically demanding work. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1997;70:352–360. doi: 10.1007/s004200050229. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Aries GA, Bongers PM, Miedema MC, Hoogendoorn WE, Wal G van der, Bouter LM, van Mechelen W. Are neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting at work risk factors for neck pain? Results of a prospective cohort study. Occup Environ Med. 2001;58:200–207. doi: 10.1136/oem.58.3.200. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Armstrong TJ, Buckle P, Fine LJ, Hagberg M, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Kuorinka IA, Silverstein BA, Sjogaard G, Viikari-Juntura ER. A conceptual model for work-related neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1993;19:73–84. - PubMed

Publication types