title: The integration of electromyography (SEMG) at the workstation: assessment, treatment, and prevention of repetitive strain injury (RSI).
abstract: This paper reviews the ergonomic and psychosocial factors that affect musculoskeletal disorders at the workstation. First is a model of a physiological assessment protocol that incorporated SEMG monitoring while working at the computer. Next is a study that showed that participants lack awareness of their muscle tension as compared to the actual SEMG levels. The final study illustrated how an intervention program can reduce RSI symptoms, decrease respiration rate, and lower SEMG activity. Recommendations include suggestions that successful safety and prevention programs need multiple components and that participants should to be trained to control physiological responses with respiration and SEMG biofeedback. All participants should master these physiological skills just as they learn how to use the computer.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Holistic Healing Studies, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California 94132, USA. epeper@sfsu.edu
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peper
authors.forename: Vietta S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Katherine H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Gibney
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Dianne M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shumay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004576:Electromyography; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology