A trial of physiotherapy for symptoms in keyboard operating

In An Earlier Study Ferguson (1969, 1971) noted occupational cramp in 22% of 263 male telegraphists examined in the Sydney office of a large communications undertaking. A further 6% had occupational myalgia, symptoms of which were also present in some subjects with cramp. At the time of that study all the telegraphists examined had been employed in the undertaking for at least seven years, and all had operated morse telegraphy before this mode was fully superseded by keyboard (teleprinter and telex) telegraphy some five years before. In those telegraphists subject of symptoms in operating, the disorder in many had been transferred from morse to keyboard operating. Though the muscle aching of the upper limb(s) in occupational myalgia can be directly related to continued performance of a repetitive task (Lundervold, 1958; Shigeta, 1974), even if the reason why some operators only are affected is a matter of conjecture, the cause of occupational cramp is still uncertain (Hunter, 1962). On present knowledge it could be considered as a functional incoordination of an accustomed skill, akin to a habit spasm.