Systematic Analysis of Dynamic Association of Health Outcomes with Computer Usage for Office Staff
This paper systematically investigates the timedependent
health outcomes for office staff during computer work
using the developed mathematical model. The model describes timedependent
health outcomes in multiple body regions associated with
computer usage. The association is explicitly presented with a doseresponse
relationship which is parametrized by body region
parameters. Using the developed model we perform extensive
investigations of the health outcomes statically and dynamically. We
compare the risk body regions and provide various severity rankings
of the discomfort rate changes with respect to computer-related
workload dynamically for the study population. Application of the
developed model reveals a wide range of findings. Such broad
spectrum of investigations in a single report literature is lacking.
Based upon the model analysis, it is discovered that the highest
average severity level of the discomfort exists in neck, shoulder, eyes,
shoulder joint/upper arm, upper back, low back and head etc. The
biggest weekly changes of discomfort rates are in eyes, neck, head,
shoulder, shoulder joint/upper arm and upper back etc. The fastest
discomfort rate is found in neck, followed by shoulder, eyes, head,
shoulder joint/upper arm and upper back etc. Most of our findings are
consistent with the literature, which demonstrates that the developed
model and results are applicable and valuable and can be utilized to
assess correlation between the amount of computer-related workload
and health risk.
[1] D.M. Rempel, N. Krause, R. Goldberg, D. Benner, M. Hudes and G.U.
Goldner, "A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of two
workstation interventions on upper body pain and incident
musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators", Occup Environ
Med, vol 63, pp300-306, 2006.
[2] B. Juul-Kristensen and C. Jensen, "Self-reported workplace related
ergonomic conditions as prognostic factors for musculoskeletal
symptoms: The "BIT" follow up study on office workers", Occup
Environ Med, vol 62, pp188-194, 2005.
[3] F. Gerr, M. Marcus, D. Ensor, D. Kleinbaum, S. Cohen, A. Edwards, E.
Gentry, D.J. Ortiz and C. Monteilh, "A prospective study of computer
users: I. Study design and incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms and
disorders", Am. J. Ind. Med, vol 41, pp221-235, 2002.
[4] L. Punnett and U. Bergqvist, "Visual display unit work and upper
extremity musculoskeletal disorders, Arbete och hälsa, vol 16, pp1-161,
1997.
[5] D. Treaster, W.S. Marras, D. Burr, J.E. Sheedy and D. Hart,
"Myofascial trigger point development from visual and postural
stressors during computer work", J Electromyogr Kinesiol., vol 16, no 2,
pp115-124, apr, 2006.
[6] X. Lu and E-P. Takala, "A novel mathematical approach for modelling
and characterising time-dependent musculoskeletal outcomes for office
staff", Statistics in Medicine, in press.
[7] X. Lu, R. Toivonen and E-P. Takala, "Exploring time-dependent health
outcomes for office Staff", Human Factors and Ergonomics
Manufacturing, in press.
[8] R. Ketola, R. Toivonen, M. Häkkänen, R. Luukkonen, E-P. Takala and
E. Viikari-Juntura, "Effects of ergonomics intervention in work with
video display units", Scand. J. Work. Environ. Health, vol 28, pp18-24,
2002.
[9] M.J. Smith, B.G.F. Cohen and L.W. Stammerjohn, "An investigation of
health complaints and job stress in video display operations", Hum
Factors, vol 23, pp387-400, 1981.
[10] J.E. Sheedy, "VDTs and vision complaints", Information Display, vol 4,
pp20-23, 1992
[1] D.M. Rempel, N. Krause, R. Goldberg, D. Benner, M. Hudes and G.U.
Goldner, "A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of two
workstation interventions on upper body pain and incident
musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators", Occup Environ
Med, vol 63, pp300-306, 2006.
[2] B. Juul-Kristensen and C. Jensen, "Self-reported workplace related
ergonomic conditions as prognostic factors for musculoskeletal
symptoms: The "BIT" follow up study on office workers", Occup
Environ Med, vol 62, pp188-194, 2005.
[3] F. Gerr, M. Marcus, D. Ensor, D. Kleinbaum, S. Cohen, A. Edwards, E.
Gentry, D.J. Ortiz and C. Monteilh, "A prospective study of computer
users: I. Study design and incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms and
disorders", Am. J. Ind. Med, vol 41, pp221-235, 2002.
[4] L. Punnett and U. Bergqvist, "Visual display unit work and upper
extremity musculoskeletal disorders, Arbete och hälsa, vol 16, pp1-161,
1997.
[5] D. Treaster, W.S. Marras, D. Burr, J.E. Sheedy and D. Hart,
"Myofascial trigger point development from visual and postural
stressors during computer work", J Electromyogr Kinesiol., vol 16, no 2,
pp115-124, apr, 2006.
[6] X. Lu and E-P. Takala, "A novel mathematical approach for modelling
and characterising time-dependent musculoskeletal outcomes for office
staff", Statistics in Medicine, in press.
[7] X. Lu, R. Toivonen and E-P. Takala, "Exploring time-dependent health
outcomes for office Staff", Human Factors and Ergonomics
Manufacturing, in press.
[8] R. Ketola, R. Toivonen, M. Häkkänen, R. Luukkonen, E-P. Takala and
E. Viikari-Juntura, "Effects of ergonomics intervention in work with
video display units", Scand. J. Work. Environ. Health, vol 28, pp18-24,
2002.
[9] M.J. Smith, B.G.F. Cohen and L.W. Stammerjohn, "An investigation of
health complaints and job stress in video display operations", Hum
Factors, vol 23, pp387-400, 1981.
[10] J.E. Sheedy, "VDTs and vision complaints", Information Display, vol 4,
pp20-23, 1992
@article{"International Journal of Medical, Medicine and Health Sciences:62602", author = "Xiaoshu Lu and Esa-Pekka Takala and Risto Toivonen", title = "Systematic Analysis of Dynamic Association of Health Outcomes with Computer Usage for Office Staff", abstract = "This paper systematically investigates the timedependent
health outcomes for office staff during computer work
using the developed mathematical model. The model describes timedependent
health outcomes in multiple body regions associated with
computer usage. The association is explicitly presented with a doseresponse
relationship which is parametrized by body region
parameters. Using the developed model we perform extensive
investigations of the health outcomes statically and dynamically. We
compare the risk body regions and provide various severity rankings
of the discomfort rate changes with respect to computer-related
workload dynamically for the study population. Application of the
developed model reveals a wide range of findings. Such broad
spectrum of investigations in a single report literature is lacking.
Based upon the model analysis, it is discovered that the highest
average severity level of the discomfort exists in neck, shoulder, eyes,
shoulder joint/upper arm, upper back, low back and head etc. The
biggest weekly changes of discomfort rates are in eyes, neck, head,
shoulder, shoulder joint/upper arm and upper back etc. The fastest
discomfort rate is found in neck, followed by shoulder, eyes, head,
shoulder joint/upper arm and upper back etc. Most of our findings are
consistent with the literature, which demonstrates that the developed
model and results are applicable and valuable and can be utilized to
assess correlation between the amount of computer-related workload
and health risk.", keywords = "Computer-related workload, health outcomes,
dynamic association, dose-response relationship, systematic analysis.", volume = "2", number = "5", pages = "171-4", }