Associations between Eyestrain and neck-shoulder Symptoms among call-center Operators

Clairy Wiholm ； Hans Richter ； Svend Erik Mathiassen ； Allan Toomingas

《SJWEH Supplements》 3期 (2007/01) Pp. 54-59

並列摘要

Objectives Few, if any, studies have investigated whether eyestrain and shoulder-neck symptoms are correlated, although functional links could be expected on the basis of neurophysiological evidence. This cross-sectional study assessed correlations between self-reported eyestrain and shoulder-neck symptoms among call center workers, while controlling for possible confounders for these ailments.
Methods A questionnaire concerning socioeconomic background, work conditions, and symptoms was mailed to 1531 employees at 28 different call centers during 2001-2003.
Results Altogether 21% of the responding participants (N=1183) reported both eyestrain and neck-shoulder symptoms, 46% reported neck-shoulder symptoms only, and 6% reported eye symptoms only; 27% were free from symptoms in these regions. A significant positive association was found between eyestrain and neck-shoulder symptoms. Significant covariates for shoulder-neck disorders were eyestrain (OR 1.6, P=0.007), gender (to be female) (OR 1.9, P=0.003) were significant predictors of eye-neck symptoms.
Conclusions The results from this study suggest an association between self-reported eyestrain and shoulder-neck symptoms. However, no causal relations could be derived due to the cross-sectional design.

並列關鍵字

computer work ； neck ； shoulder symptom