Translating Laboratory Research of BIOCERAMIC Material, Application on Computer Mouse and Bracelet, to Ameliorate Computer Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Shoei Loong Lin

doi:10.4172/2161-1025.1000122

Abstract

We investigated the effects of a room temperature-emitting far infrared ray ceramic material (BIOCERAMIC) on computer work-related pain and coldness. Thirty-two computer users reporting complaints in upper extremities and shoulders were assigned to play 30-cycles of specially-designed computer game. Each subject was provided with a normal and BIOCERAMIC-made mouse for the game on two different days. When using BIOCERAMIC mouse for the computer game, the most significant improvements among the upper extremity complaints were for wrist, finger, forearm, and partially shoulder soreness. Greater differences in surface temperatures of mouse and hand in BIOCERAMIC group were seen. The most significant difference occurred when using both the BIOCERAMIC cover and bracelet were found to reduce pain sensations. It was concluded that pain intensity and disability were significantly reduced after using BIOCERAMIC mouse for the game. The effect remained during follow-up when using BIOCERAMIC mouse cover and bracelet during their usual computer work.

Highlights

Work-related upper extremity and shoulder complaints are common in developed and industrialized countries
Musculoskeletal disorders are related to a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative diseases which result in pain and functional impairment that affect the hands, fingers, wrists, forearms, and shoulders
The most complaints of computer work-related problems of the upper extremities were soreness of the wrist, hand, fingers, forearm, and shoulder

Summary

Introduction

Work-related upper extremity and shoulder complaints are common in developed and industrialized countries. In Holland, about 8% employees were not able to work due to different workrelated musculoskeletal complaints [1,2,3] and middle-aged females are more likely to suffer due to computer-related work than males [4,5]. Computer work-related musculoskeletal problems impose economic burdens on a country’s productivity and influence a country’s gross domestic product. Computer work-related musculoskeletal disorders broadly affect parts of the anatomy, including tendons, ligaments, nerves, muscles, circulation, and pain perception. Musculoskeletal disorders are related to a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative diseases which result in pain and functional impairment that affect the hands, fingers, wrists, forearms, and shoulders. It is necessary to develop method and determine the development and exacerbation of the computer work related suffering [6,7]

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Conclusion