Musculoskeletal symptoms in support staff in a large telecommunication company.

Primary Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent and severity of the musculoskeletal problems in office workers in a telecommunication company.

Research Design: A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders' symptoms, their perceived intensity and interaction with ability to work among office workers.

Methods And Procedures: The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaire developed by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory at Cornell University were used on a sample of 140 office workers in a telecommunication company.

Measures of localized spinal muscle fatigue.

The objective of this study was to determine the best variable, if any, to indicate the level of localized muscle fatigue. Six male and six female subjects were studied while they exerted their maximal voluntary contraction and 40% of maximal voluntary contraction of spinal extensors in an isometric lifting activity. The electromyography (EMG) of erectores spinae at thoracic and lumbar levels was measured bilaterally.

Measurement of angular wrist neutral zone and forearm muscle activity.

Objectives: To determine the forearm muscles activity in different wrist deviated positions and wrist neutral zone, and to assess the self-selected resting position without visual feedback.

Background: Wrist deviation occurs in almost all industrial and office jobs. This has been deemed hazardous for carpal tunnel syndrome.