Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are more prevalent in intense computer users and the relation between cumulative hours of computer use and symptoms. Materials and Methods: The study group included 100 bank workers, who worked more than 6 h per day for at least 2 years on a video display unit and were recruited through convenience sampling. Sixty-five age and sex matched healthy subjects who worked not more than 2 h on computer keyboards for office work constituted the control group. Results: There were no significant differences between groups when the age and sex of the participants were considered. The results suggest a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities among intensive computer users. The differences were statistically significant except in neck range of motion and left cubital tunnel syndrome. As the time spent on video display unit increased, there is a tendency in occurrence of symptoms, but only in carpal tunnel syndrome the relation is significant. Conclusions: The findings showed that cumulative computer use time increased the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremities. As the duration of job increased, the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome significantly increased. Further studies with the inclusion of a larger number of cases and potential risk factors would help clarify the role of variables in the aetiology of work-related neck and upper limb disorders.

The objectives of this study were to examine the association between work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) and duration of computer and mouse use, to investigate differences in these associations between men and women, and to examine whether a possible relationship between duration of computer use and WRULDs was explained by physical or psychosocial risk factors. The study population in this cross-sectional questionnaire study consisted of 5400 office employees. Participants had filled out a questionnaire on job characteristics, job content, physical workload, psychosocial workload and musculoskeletal symptoms.

Working with a computer during more than 6 h/day was associated with WRULDs in all body regions. Stratified analyses showed that the strength of the associations differed between men and women. In men, only moderate associations were seen for computer use more than 6 h/day. In women, moderately increased ORs were observed for a duration of computer use of more than 4 h/day and strongly increased risks for a computer use during more than 6 h/day.

Frequent computer users who often used a mouse did not report more WRULDs or neck or shoulder disorders than frequent computer users who did not use a mouse. Only for arm, elbow or wrist or hand problems a moderately increased OR among the mouse users was observed, but this was not statistically significant.
Relevance to industry

Recent increases in the number of employees working with computers and in the durations of computer and mouse use coincide with a huge prevalence increase of work-related disorders of neck and upper limb (WRULDs) and sick leave, which poses financial burdens on companies. Research on risk factors and preventive measures is relevant for these companies.