INTERACTIONS OF BIOMECHANICS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS IN RELATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MSDs IN THE MODERN OFFICE: THE ‘PROOF’ STUDY
PERIOD
2009 – 2013
2009 – 2013
FINANCE
NIOSH
BODY@WORK, Research center on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO VU/Vumc
NIOSH
BODY@WORK, Research center on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO VU/Vumc
RESEARCHERS
B.H.W. Eijckelhof MSc.1,3
M.A.Huysmans PhD1,3
B.M. Blatter PhD 1,2
Ass. Prof. P.W. Johnson PhD4
Prof. A.J. van der Beek PhD1,3
Prof. J.H. van Dieën PhD5
Ass. Prof. J.T. Dennerlein PhD6
B.H.W. Eijckelhof MSc.1,3
M.A.Huysmans PhD1,3
B.M. Blatter PhD 1,2
Ass. Prof. P.W. Johnson PhD4
Prof. A.J. van der Beek PhD1,3
Prof. J.H. van Dieën PhD5
Ass. Prof. J.T. Dennerlein PhD6
1Body@Work, Research Center on Physical Activity, Work and Health TNO-VU/VUmc, The Netherlands
2TNO Quality of Life, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
3Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
5Research Institute MOVE, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
6 School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, USA
2TNO Quality of Life, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
3Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
5Research Institute MOVE, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
6 School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, USA
BACKGROUND
In the Netherlands, approximately half of the working population works regularly with a computer. This concerns over 3 million people. Pain in the neck, shoulders, arms and/or hands, referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are still very common in this group and the size of this group is not decreasing. Previous research has shown that psychosocial work environment and computer use play a role in the development of MSDs. However, through what mechanism is not known. The purpose of this research project is to get better insight in the development of MSDs by exploring the role of psychosocial work environment and computer use. We hope that the results will contribute to the prevention of MSDs in the future.
In the Netherlands, approximately half of the working population works regularly with a computer. This concerns over 3 million people. Pain in the neck, shoulders, arms and/or hands, referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are still very common in this group and the size of this group is not decreasing. Previous research has shown that psychosocial work environment and computer use play a role in the development of MSDs. However, through what mechanism is not known. The purpose of this research project is to get better insight in the development of MSDs by exploring the role of psychosocial work environment and computer use. We hope that the results will contribute to the prevention of MSDs in the future.
AIMS
Until now, most research in computer workers is either done in experimental studies, measuring detailed biomechanics in the laboratory, or in large scale epidemiological studies investigating exposure and the occurrence of symptoms using self-reports. In the PROOF (PRedicting Occupational biomechanics in OFfice workers) study both research types (biomechanical exposure assessment with large scale epidemiology) will be combined.
Until now, most research in computer workers is either done in experimental studies, measuring detailed biomechanics in the laboratory, or in large scale epidemiological studies investigating exposure and the occurrence of symptoms using self-reports. In the PROOF (PRedicting Occupational biomechanics in OFfice workers) study both research types (biomechanical exposure assessment with large scale epidemiology) will be combined.
The aims of the present study are to investigate 1) whether biomechanical exposures and computer use differ in computer workers with different psychosocial work environments while measured at work, and 2) whether biomechanical exposures and psychosocial work environments are related to an increased risk of upper extremity MSDs.
METHODS
In this study, 120 office workers will be categorized in one of four defined profiles of psychosocial work environment, based on the amount of “reward” one receives at work and their reported level of “overcommitment” (both collected through a questionnaire). Biomechanical exposures (i.e. forces on keyboard and mouse, postural dynamics, and EMG of neck-shoulder muscles and wrist extensors) and computer usage will be measured for two hours during a workday at participants’ own work stations. These biomechanical factors will be compared across the four psychosocial profiles.
With these data a task-based exposure model will be developed to estimate the biomechanical exposures within different psychosocial work environments adjusted for individual factors. This model will be applied to a cohort of about 1000 office workers, of whom computer usage was assessed objectively and health outcome was self-reported in a two-year longitudinal study (PROMO). In this way, we will be able to relate biomechanical exposure to the development of MSDs measured in a large epidemiological study.
In this study, 120 office workers will be categorized in one of four defined profiles of psychosocial work environment, based on the amount of “reward” one receives at work and their reported level of “overcommitment” (both collected through a questionnaire). Biomechanical exposures (i.e. forces on keyboard and mouse, postural dynamics, and EMG of neck-shoulder muscles and wrist extensors) and computer usage will be measured for two hours during a workday at participants’ own work stations. These biomechanical factors will be compared across the four psychosocial profiles.
With these data a task-based exposure model will be developed to estimate the biomechanical exposures within different psychosocial work environments adjusted for individual factors. This model will be applied to a cohort of about 1000 office workers, of whom computer usage was assessed objectively and health outcome was self-reported in a two-year longitudinal study (PROMO). In this way, we will be able to relate biomechanical exposure to the development of MSDs measured in a large epidemiological study.
RESULTS
No results are available yet. Data collection started in January 2010 and is expected to be completed by July 2010.
No results are available yet. Data collection started in January 2010 and is expected to be completed by July 2010.
Linda Eijckelhof
More information: Email: l.eijckelhof@vumc.nl; Phone: +3120 444 1707
Nederlands
English