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Related Experiment Videos

Hand/wrist disorders among sign language communicators.

S M Smith1, T A Kress, W M Hart

  • 1Dept. of Health and Safety Sciences, Univ of Tenn., Knoxville, USA.

American Annals of the Deaf
|May 17, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Sign language communicators experience frequent hand/wrist problems, with a higher incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome compared to the general population. This highlights the need for targeted risk reduction programs for this group.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Audiology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Sign language communicators, including interpreters and deaf individuals, are at risk for hand/wrist disorders.
  • Previous research has not extensively documented the prevalence of these issues within this specific population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the frequency of self-reported hand/wrist problems among sign language communicators.
  • To compare the incidence of medically diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome in sign language communicators versus the general population.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was distributed to attendees of a national conference on postsecondary education for students with hearing deficits.
  • 184 respondents reported on their experiences with hand/wrist problems and medical diagnoses.

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Main Results:

  • 59% of respondents reported hand/wrist problems; 26% experienced limitations in work ability.
  • 18% reported a diagnosis of wrist tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Medically diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome was five times more frequent in sign language communicators than in the general working population.

Conclusions:

  • Sign language users exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • There is a critical need for enhanced risk reduction programs addressing hand/wrist disorders for sign language communicators.