Cumulative trauma disorders among educational interpreters. Contributing factors and intervention

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders (UECTDs) emerged as a significant occupational hazard for sign language interpreters at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).
• Understanding the contributing factors to these disorders is crucial for prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with the development, exacerbation, and maintenance of UECTDs among sign language interpreters.
• To investigate differences in medical status, physical capacities, interpreting styles, pain, fatigue, and job stress.

Main Methods:

• A case control study design was employed.
• Data collection focused on medical status, physical capacities, interpreting styles, pain, fatigue, and job stress.
• Analysis of biomechanical risk factors and interpreter characteristics was conducted.

Main Results:

• Tendinitis was the most frequently diagnosed UECTD, more so than nerve entrapment syndromes like carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Interpreters experiencing pain showed higher frequencies of non-neutral hand and wrist positions, upper extremities outside the neutral workspace, and fewer rest breaks.
• Higher evaluator ratings of finger and hand movement pace were noted.
• Specific interpreting styles were linked to increased pain and fatigue.

Conclusions:

• Biomechanical factors, including deviations from neutral postures and high work pace, are associated with UECTDs in sign language interpreters.
• Interpreting styles play a role in the experience of pain and fatigue.
• Further research and intervention strategies are needed to address these occupational health risks.