Department of Ergonomics - Projects
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Abstract

The influence of occupational work and extra-occupational activity on the occurrence of subjective and objective symptoms of selected cumulative trauma disorders of the upper limbs

Project manager: Joanna Bugajska Ph.D.

Project summary:

The aim of the task was to determine the differences in the frequency of occurrence of complaints typical for cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) of the upper limbs in workers doing manual repetitive work, depending on exposure to selected risk factors for those disorders (age, tenure, life style, posture and characteristics of forces exerted during work). This task also assessed the usefulness of methods based on workers' subjective feelings, which are used in early diagnosis of CTDs of the upper limbs. A questionnaire survey on the frequency of occurrence of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was administered and then analysed. Of the 2500 questionnaires sent out, 1603 were filled in correctly by people employed at 23 workstations in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textile, electronic and metal industries. Most of the workers were female. It was shown that complaints of musculoskeletal pain are an important problem for workers of the studied population in PolandClinical studies were conducted in 96 women, aged 25-60. Most of them did repetitive work, the rest did office work. It was shown that the most frequent subjective complaints among the subjects were numb fingers, pain in wrists and nocturnal pain in hands and fingers. CTS was found in 25% of the subjects. It is advisable to test those persons for the threshold of perception of vibration, which is less sensitive than tests based on subjective symptoms, but it has a specific character. This would make early diagnosis possible for persons at risk for CTS.

Unit: Department of Ergonomics

Duration: 01.01.2005 – 31.12.2007