title: A medical-ergonomic program for symptomatic keyboard/mouse users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the range of ergonomic stressors and effective interventions in otherwise healthy patients diagnosed with upper extremity disorders associated with occupational keyboard/mouse use.
  
  
  METHODS
  From patients treated in our Medical-Ergonomic Program, we report demographic data, symptoms, signs, diagnoses and associated ergonomic stressors and response to medical/ergonomic interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six patients had a mean age (range) of 40 (23-61) years with 20 patients younger than 35 years. The most prevalent diagnoses were myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of shoulder/neck associated with poor posture, MPS of forearm extensors followed by thoracic outlet syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Common ergonomic stressors were typing/mousing technique, keyboard height, inadequate seating, and lack of breaks. Improvement occurred in 89% following medical/ergonomic intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ergonomic education/intervention must be combined with the medical treatment of work-related upper extremity disorders associated with keyboard/mouse use.
authors.affiliation: Center for Occupational and Environmental Neurology, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA. coen@msn.com
authors.forename: Margit L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bleecker
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Celio
authors.forename: Sheryl K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity; D055815:Young Adult