title: Risk of upper limb complaints due to computer use in older persons: a randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We studied whether the twelve-month use of a standard computer would induce complaints of upper limb pain or functional limitations in older novice computer users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants between 64 and 76 of age were randomly assigned to an Intervention group (n = 62), whose members received a personal computer and fast Internet access at their homes, or a No Intervention control group (n = 61), whose members refrained from computer use during the twelve month study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Difference scores between baseline and twelve months assessments on both complaint (SFS) and functional health scales (SF-36) did not differ between groups (all p > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged, self-paced use of a standard computer interface does not put older persons at a risk of upper limb complaints or reduce functional health in older adults.
authors: European Graduate School of Neuroscience (Euron), Brain and Behaviour Institute, Maastricht University, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. martin.vanboxtel@np.unimaas.nl
authors: Martin P J
authors: MP
authors: van Boxtel
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Slegers
authors: Jelle
authors: J
authors: Jolles
authors: Joop M
authors: JM
authors: Ruijgrok
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D034941:Upper Extremity; D014584:User-Computer Interface
references: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1993 Nov;75(11):1585-92
references: 8245050
references: Med Care. 1993 Mar;31(3):247-63
references: 8450681
references: J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 1997 Oct;23(5):1299-313
references: 9336955
references: Pain. 2005 Mar;114(1-2):47-53
references: 15733630
references: Exp Brain Res. 2005 Mar;162(1):70-7
references: 15536551
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2008 May;63(3):P176-84
references: 18559683
references: BMJ. 2000 Sep 16;321(7262):676-9
references: 10987773
references: Geriatrics. 2000 Sep;55(9):40-4, 47
references: 10997125
references: Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002 Oct 19;146(42):1971-6
references: 12420421
references: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003 Feb;58(2):146-52
references: 12586852
references: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003 Sep 1;28(17):2030-5
references: 12973155
references: Acta Psychol (Amst). 2004 Jan;115(1):17-33
references: 14734239
references: Postgrad Med J. 2004 Aug;80(946):438-43
references: 15299151
references: J Psychiatr Res. 1975 Nov;12(3):189-98
references: 1202204
references: Acta Psychol (Amst). 1994 Aug;86(2-3):109-97
references: 7976466