Upper limb problems are common in the community. This study sought to understand what factors would increase the likelihood that a transcriptionist, doing consistent keyboard data entry, would experience arm problems.

The researchers asked transcriptionists about their symptoms, perceived stress and overall job satisfaction.

Certain factors were found to make arm pain more likely:

• Smoking;
• Limited exercise;
• A history of diabetes;
• High levels of perceived stress; and
• A history of upper limb problems.

The strongest link to arm pain was a past history of problems.

Certain factors were found to increase the levels of disability or limitation resulting from the arm pain:

• High levels of perceived stress;
• A history of smoking; and
• Previous symptoms requiring treatment or a review of the workstation.

People who have arm problems often focus on limiting their duties at work. The focus tends to be on physical restrictions as detailed on the certificate, and finding duties that match those restrictions.

However, limiting work duties will not necessarily address the factors that decrease functional ability. It is worth looking at the person’s perceived stress and perhaps helping them to cease smoking if they are actively smoking.

Reducing tension may reduce the contraction of the muscle, or it may simply enable the person to cope with pain symptoms and be more resilient.

The message is to think beyond just the repetitive nature of the work.

Authors

Gelfman R. Beebe TJ. Amadio PC. Larson DR. Basford JR. .

Authors Full Name

Gelfman, Russell. Beebe, Timothy J. Amadio, Peter C. Larson, Dirk R. Basford, Jeffrey R. .

Institution

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. gelfman.russell@mayo.edu

Title

Correlates of upper extremity disability in medical transcriptionists.

Source

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 20(3):340-8, 2010 Sep.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between disability and personal/lifestyle, medical, and psychosocial risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders (UEMSDs) in medical transcriptionists.

METHODS: A web-based survey involving the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Overall Job Satisfaction (OJS) questionnaires of all medical transcriptionists working at a large healthcare facility.

RESULTS: Responses were received from 80% (251 of 314) possible participants. Mean DASH, PSS, and OJS scores for those working at their current position for at least 1 year were 8.5 +/- 10.1, 14.3 +/- 6.7 and 5.3 +/- 0.9. Personal/lifestyle factors including age (P < 0.001), lower educational level (P = 0.014), current or previous smoking (P = 0.012), and limited exercise (P = 0.013); medical conditions including diabetes mellitus (P = 0.015), carpal tunnel syndrome (P < 0.001), prior treatment for upper extremity symptoms (P < 0.001); prior workstation evaluation (P < 0.001) and psychosocial factors of perceived stress (P < 0.001), are associated with increased DASH scores. In these workers, multivariate analysis suggests that medical conditions (finger or other upper extremity symptoms requiring treatment or workstation evaluation; and diabetes mellitus) have a larger effect on the DASH than personal/lifestyle or psychosocial factors (age; previous or current smoking; and perceived stress).

CONCLUSIONS: Prior upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms requiring treatment or ergonomic assessment, high perceived stress and a history of smoking are associated with self-reported disability. Diabetics have significantly higher levels of upper extremity disability than non-diabetics. Prospective studies are needed to see if interventions addressing these factors will prevent future work disability.

PubMed Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20229330