Prospective research on musculoskeletal disorders in office workers (PROMO): study protocol.
BACKGROUND
This article describes the background and study design of the PROMO study (Prospective Research on Musculoskeletal disorders in Office workers). Few longitudinal studies have been performed to investigate the risk factors responsible for the incidence of hand, arm, shoulder and neck symptoms among office workers, given the observation that a large group of office workers might be at risk worldwide. Therefore, the PROMO study was designed. The main aim is to quantify the contribution of exposure to occupational computer use to the incidence of hand, arm, shoulder and neck symptoms. The results of this study might lead to more effective and/or cost-efficient preventive interventions among office workers.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study is conducted, with a follow-up of 24 months. In total, 1821 participants filled out the first questionnaire (response rate of 74%). Data on exposure and outcome is collected using web-based self-reports. Outcome assessment takes place every three months during the follow-up period. Data on computer use are collected at baseline and continuously during follow-up using a software program.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of the PROMO study include the long follow-up period, the repeated measurement of both exposure and outcome, and the objective measurement of the duration of computer use. In the PROMO study, hypotheses stemming from lab-based and field-based research will be investigated.
IJmker
Stefan
S
Body@Work TNO VUmc, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.ijmker@vumc.nl
Blatter
Birgitte M
BM
van der Beek
Allard J
AJ
van Mechelen
Willem
W
Bongers
Paulien M
PM
D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003201:Computers; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D017132:Workplace