Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a physical training program in combination
with ergonomic changes in a group of keyboard operators with nonspecific/type II
work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD).
DESIGN: Prospective study.
SETTING: Hospital department. PARTICIPANTS: Pain-free controls (n=6) and currently working
patients with WRULD (n=17) were included. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were taught
how to self-rehabilitate according to a previously published physical exercise
program, in addition the patients requested maximal ergonomic assistance from
their employer according to British law. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Pain at rest and
after a standardized functional typing test, before and after rehabilitation,
with recording of endurance and calculation of typing speed during the tests.
Statistical evaluation: Student t test, paired, and 2-tailed. RESULTS: After the
rehabilitation program, the patients as a group had significantly less pain both
at rest (P=.009) and after the typing test (P<.001). The typing endurance
improved significantly (P=.027) and became similar to the healthy control group
(P =.09). The typing speed improved significantly in the patient group after
rehabilitation (P=.032) and became similar to the normal control group (P=.058).
CONCLUSIONS: Currently working keyboard operators with nonspecific/type II WRULD
can benefit significantly from a combination of an individualized
self-administered physical rehabilitation program and ergonomic work place
improvements. Randomized control studies are needed to further investigate the
long-term effect of this encouraging finding.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS