Neck and shoulder complaints in computer workers and associated easy to assess occupational factors--a large-scale cross-sectional multivariate study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify easy to assess occupational factors that are associated with the presence of neck and shoulder complaints (NSC) in computer workers.

Methods: A total of 5,630 computer workers filled out a standardised questionnaire at the occasion of their periodical health examination. The dependent outcome variable was the one-year prevalence of neck and/or shoulder complaints. Following independent variables were considered in the analyses: age, gender, number of hours of computer work per week (both at work and at home), average time of uninterrupted computer work, screen position, position of documents, computer mouse use, forearm and separate wrist support, user friendly software and occupational psychosocial factors. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify those variables that contributed to the presence of NSC.

Results: Apart from gender and three psychosocial factors, following occupational factors were associated with NSC in computer workers: 25 h or more computer work per week, working more than 1 h on a computer without interruption, use of the computer mouse during half or more of the working time, reaching far for the computer mouse, insufficient space for the computer mouse, insufficient forearm support (less than 2/3 on table or no support) and the use of a separate wrist support.

Conclusions: The study enabled to identify several easy to assess occupational factors that were associated with NSC, providing clear cut-off points concerning duration of computer work. Use of the computer mouse, both duration and relative position, and forearm support were also important factors.