title: The effect of an ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal, psychosocial and visual strain of VDT data entry work: the Norwegian part of the international study.
abstract: The Norwegian MEPS (musculoskeletal--visual--psychosocial--stress) study included 3 groups: data entry, data dialogue (female) and data dialogue (male). Before intervention, the data entry group reported significantly more symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal illness and had longer periods in front of the video display terminal (VDT) without a break. The ergonomic intervention consisted mainly of ergonomic information and training. After intervention, the data dialogue female group reported a significant reduction in shoulder pain in parallel with a reduction in trapezius load. Increasing the understanding in how to adjust the work stand and chair may have been contributing factors to reducing the pain level. There was a significant reduction in eye problems in all groups; the greatest reduction in eye symptoms was seen in the groups who had new optometric corrections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Buskerud University College, Kongsberg, Norway. Arne.Aaraas@alcatel.no
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aarås
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horgen
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ro
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Løken
authors.forename: Geir
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mathiasen
authors.forename: Hans-Henrik
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Bjørset
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Magne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thoresen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016288:Computer Terminals; D004576:Electromyography; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D009664:Norway; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D009907:Optometry / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010808:Physical Examination; D011187:Posture; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace