Physical rehabilitation with ergonomic intervention of currently working keyboard operators with nonspecific/type II work-related upper limb disorder: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a physical training program in combination with ergonomic changes in a group of keyboard operators with nonspecific/type II work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Hospital department.


METHODS
Pain-free controls (n=6) and currently working patients with WRULD (n=17) were included.


METHODS
Participants were taught how to self-rehabilitate according to a previously published physical exercise program, in addition the patients requested maximal ergonomic assistance from their employer according to British law.


METHODS
Pain at rest and after a standardized functional typing test, before and after rehabilitation, with recording of endurance and calculation of typing speed during the tests. Statistical evaluation: Student t test, paired, and 2-tailed.


RESULTS
After the rehabilitation program, the patients as a group had significantly less pain both at rest (P=.009) and after the typing test (P<.001). The typing endurance improved significantly (P=.027) and became similar to the healthy control group (P =.09). The typing speed improved significantly in the patient group after rehabilitation (P=.032) and became similar to the normal control group (P=.058).


CONCLUSIONS
Currently working keyboard operators with nonspecific/type II WRULD can benefit significantly from a combination of an individualized self-administered physical rehabilitation program and ergonomic work place improvements. Randomized control studies are needed to further investigate the long-term effect of this encouraging finding.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK. bo@manusmedical.com
Bo
B
Povlsen
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology