TY - JOUR
T1 - Trapezius muscle rest time during standardised computer work - A comparison of female computer usters with and without self-reported neck/shoulder complaints
AU - Thorn, S.
AU - Sogaard, K.
AU - Kallenberg, L.A.C.
AU - Sandsjö, L.
AU - Sjogaard, G.
AU - Hermens, Hermanus J.
AU - Kadefors, R.
AU - Forsman, M.
N1 - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.04.010
PY - 2006/7/6
Y1 - 2006/7/6
N2 - Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in the shoulder/neck area are a common and increasing problem among European computer workers, especially women. Long-term low-level workloads with low degree of muscle rest are a potential risk factor for developing WMSDs. The purpose of the present study of female computer users (age 45–65 years) in Denmark and Sweden was to investigate if subjects with self-reported neck/shoulder complaints (cases, N = 35) show less trapezius muscle relative rest time (RRT) than controls (N = 44) when performing standardised short-term computer work tasks in controlled laboratory conditions. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded bilaterally from the upper trapezius muscles during a type, edit, precision and colour word stress task. Besides RRT, 10th percentile RMS values were calculated. On the average, 15 of the cases and 18 of the controls showed analysable EMG files per task. For the colour word stress task, the results showed lower RRT values and higher 10th percentile RMS amplitude levels among cases compared to controls. No such signs could be found for the other tasks performed. The present results indicate an increased motor response to a psychological stressor among subjects with self-reported neck/shoulder complaints.
AB - Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in the shoulder/neck area are a common and increasing problem among European computer workers, especially women. Long-term low-level workloads with low degree of muscle rest are a potential risk factor for developing WMSDs. The purpose of the present study of female computer users (age 45–65 years) in Denmark and Sweden was to investigate if subjects with self-reported neck/shoulder complaints (cases, N = 35) show less trapezius muscle relative rest time (RRT) than controls (N = 44) when performing standardised short-term computer work tasks in controlled laboratory conditions. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded bilaterally from the upper trapezius muscles during a type, edit, precision and colour word stress task. Besides RRT, 10th percentile RMS values were calculated. On the average, 15 of the cases and 18 of the controls showed analysable EMG files per task. For the colour word stress task, the results showed lower RRT values and higher 10th percentile RMS amplitude levels among cases compared to controls. No such signs could be found for the other tasks performed. The present results indicate an increased motor response to a psychological stressor among subjects with self-reported neck/shoulder complaints.
KW - EWI-8455
KW - IR-63775
KW - METIS-237737
KW - BSS-Biomechatronics and rehabilitation technology
U2 - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.04.010
DO - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.04.010
M3 - Article
SN - 1050-6411
VL - 17
SP - 420
EP - 427
JO - Journal of electromyography and kinesiology
JF - Journal of electromyography and kinesiology
IS - 06CH37725
M1 - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.04.010
ER -