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Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Computer-assisted Design (CAD) Operators and Evaluation of a Self-assessment
1Department of Occupational Health, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
Summary
This study validated a questionnaire on physical workload from video display units (VDUs). It found that prolonged mouse use and suboptimal mouse placement increase the risk of upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms in CAD operators.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Ergonomics
- Human-computer interaction
Background:
- Assessing physical workload from video display units (VDUs) is crucial for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
- Existing methods for evaluating VDU-related physical workload may lack reliability.
- Understanding the relationship between VDU use, work postures, and symptoms is essential for workplace interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability and validity of a self-administered questionnaire for physical workload at VDUs.
- To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in computer-aided design (CAD) operators.
- To identify risk factors associated with VDU use, particularly mouse usage and placement, and their impact on upper-limb symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A self-administered questionnaire on physical workload at VDUs was tested for intra- and intermethod reliability.
- Questionnaire responses regarding keyboard and mouse locations, and elbow-to-keyboard height, were validated against direct measurements.
- A revised questionnaire was administered to CAD operators in a telecommunication laboratory to assess work postures and musculoskeletal symptoms.
Main Results:
- The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable test-retest agreement and good agreement between self-reported and measured keyboard/mouse locations.
- Women CAD operators reported a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (e.g., low back, left elbow) compared to men.
- Increased weekly mouse usage (≥5.6 hours) and non-optimal mouse placement were significantly associated with a higher incidence of arm and upper-limb symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The validated questionnaire is a reliable tool for assessing physical workload related to VDU use.
- Prolonged and improperly positioned mouse use are significant risk factors for upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms in CAD operators.
- Ergonomic interventions focusing on mouse usage duration and optimal placement are recommended to mitigate symptoms.