Biobehavioral mechanisms of work-related upper extremity disorders: a new agenda for research and practice.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological studies provide support for the role of organizational and individual psychosocial stressors in work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs). Despite this evidence, the biological plausibility of a relationship between exposure to various psychosocial and work organizational stressors and WRUEDs remains unclear


METHODS
The Georgetown Symposium on Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Work-Related Upper Extremity Disorders was held in Washington D.C. on November 6-7, 2000 to improve the understanding of potential biobehavioral mechanisms, identify future areas for research and discuss the implications of this body of knowledge for intervention. This meeting involved presentations and discussions by researchers and clinicians from a number of disciplines (epidemiology, occupational medicine, rheumatology, orthopedics, surgery, internal medicine, psychoneuroimmunology, occupational health psychology, behavioral medicine, psychophysiology and experimental and organizational psychology).


RESULTS
The symposium generated several papers addressing the following topics: definitions and job stress models; epidemiological foundations; musculoskeletal and biomechanical models; central nervous system models of recurrent and persistent clinical pain; psychophysiology of work; and implications for intervention. These papers comprise this special issue.


CONCLUSIONS
The present paper summarizes the various contributions to this special issue and provides direction for future research on potential biobehavioral pathways.
Feuerstein
Michael
M
Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of Health Services, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799, USA. mfeuerstein@usuhs.mil
D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications