Computer-related Injuries Research Articles

Impact of Computer Misuse in the Workplace

Computer misuse leads to computer-related injuries. The incidence of computer-related injuries (CRIs) is reported having a high incidence among office personnel who works routinely with the computer. The purpose of this research is to figure out the incidence of computer-related injuries in an organization with a majority of employees using technology such as a computer. This research is a survey of 120 office personnel selected with a simple random sampling method. The data was collected by distributing a self-administered questionnaire. The results showed that the office personnel experienced computer-related injuries such as computer vision syndrome (eye strain, blurred vision, watery eyes, and headache) and musculoskeletal disorders such as neck pain, shoulder and, waist pain. Ergonomic training is highly recommended to be conducted routinely by the organization to reduce the incidence of CRIs among office personnel.
 Keywords: computer misuse; computer vision syndrome; musculoskeletal disorder; office personnel.

Awareness of Workstation Ergonomics and Occurrence of Computer-Related Injuries

Awareness of Workstation Ergonomics and Occurrence of Computer-Related Injuries

The effectiveness of different ergonomic approaches on musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and arms, caused by computer use: a systematic review

Relevance: In the last decade, the prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders has significantly increased amongst computer users. Computer related injuries are causing disabilities (functional) and absenteeism of employees, while they are time consuming to employers. The aetiology of musculoskeletal complaints of the arm, neck, and shoulder (CANS) is highly complex and has yet to be properly investigated.

Fatigue development in the finger flexor muscle differs between keyboard and mouse use.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether there were any physiological changes in the muscle as a result of intensive computer use. Using a repeated measures experimental design, eighteen subjects participated in four different 8-h conditions: a control (no exposure) condition and three exposure conditions comprised of 6 h of computer use (keyboard, mouse, and combined keyboard and mouse use) followed by 2 h of recovery. In each condition, using 2 Hz neuromuscular electrical stimulation, eight temporal measurements were collected to evaluate the fatigue state (twitch force, contraction time, and ½ relaxation time) of the right middle finger Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS) muscle before, during, and after computer use. The results indicated that 6 h of keyboard, mouse, and combined mouse and keyboard use all caused temporal fatigue-related changes in physiological state of the FDS muscle. Keyboard use resulted in muscle potentiation, which was characterized by approximately 30% increase in twitch force (p < 0.0001) and 3% decrease (p = 0.04) in twitch durations. Mouse use resulted in a combined state of potentiation and fatigue, which was characterized by an increase in twitch forces (p = 0.002) but a prolonging (11 %) rather than a shortening of twitch durations (p < 0.0001). When comparing mouse and keyboard use, the more substantial change in the physiological state of the muscle with mouse use (potentiation and fatigue compared to just potentiation with keyboard use) provides some physiological evidence which may explain why mouse use has a greater association with computer-related injuries.

Acute Computer-Related Injuries Treated in U.S. Emergency Departments, 1994–2006

Acute Computer-Related Injuries Treated in U.S. Emergency Departments, 1994–2006

Acute Computer-Related Injuries Treated in U.S. Emergency Departments, 1994–2006

Computer ownership and use have increased significantly in recent years. No previous research has examined whether and to what extent home computers and equipment are associated with acute injuries. This study examines acute computer-related injuries on a national level. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to examine cases of acute computer-related injury treated in U.S. emergency departments from January 1, 1994, through December 31, 2006. Analysis was conducted from June 2008 through August 2008. During the study period, an estimated 78,703 (95% CI=61,394-96,011) individuals, aged 1 month-89 years, were treated in U.S. emergency departments for acute computer-related injuries. Children aged <5 years had the highest injury rate of all age groups. The most common cause of injury was tripping or falling by patients aged <5 years (43.4%) and >or=60 years (37.7%) and hitting or getting caught on computer equipment for individuals of all other ages (36.9% of all cases). While injuries to the extremities were most common (57.4%), children aged <10 years most often had injuries to the head (75.8% for those aged <5 years and 61.8% for those aged 5-9 years). When the locale of injury was recorded, 93.2% of injuries occurred at home. The number of acute computer-related injuries increased by 732% over the 13-year study period, which is more than double the increase in household computer ownership (309%). Given the continued increase in computer ownership and the more-than-sevenfold increase in acute computer-related injuries observed over the study period, increased efforts are needed to prevent such injuries, especially among young children.

Letting go of the mouse: using alternative computer input devices to improve productivity and reduce injury

Many computer related injuries occur from mouse use. The mouse is the primary input device by virtue of its universal availability, yet it is not the best for all‐round work. Alternative devices such as the track ball, touch pad, and graphics tablet can be used more effectively for precise cursor control, while reducing stress and the potential for injury. Though these devices may seem exotic or a luxury, they are in fact affordable and well‐suited to daily use by everyone. This article describes the mouse and its inherent weaknesses, and offers more practical alternatives. These alternatives may help reduce injury‐producing activities, and may also improve productivity and creativity by allowing more precision cursor controls.

The prevalence of neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms in computer mouse users

Computer pointing devices such as the mouse are widely used. Despite this, the relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and mouse use has not been established. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether a relationship existed between computer mouse use and musculoskeletal symptoms in a sample of 270 computer mouse users. Factors demonstrating a significant association with symptoms were entered into a step-wise multiple logistic regression, adjusting for age and sex and controlling for potential interdependence between variables. No relationship was found between hours of mouse use per day and reported symptoms. A relationship was found between the variable of arm abduction which is specific to mouse use and symptoms in the neck. Relationships were found between non-mouse-specific risk factors such as stress, screen height and shoulder elevation. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that mouse use may contribute to musculoskeletal injury of the neck and upper extremity. Mouse users are exposed to the same recognised risk factors associated with keyboard use as well as the additional risk factor of arm abduction during mouse use. Relevance to industry Computer keyboard use has been associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Most people now use a pointing device such as the mouse to supplement the computer keyboard. Additional risk factors related to mouse use have the potential to increase prevalence of computer-related injuries.