A study of case histories to compare symptoms between computer users and no-computer users among patients presenting for treatment at the BSO
Item
- Title
- A study of case histories to compare symptoms between computer users and no-computer users among patients presenting for treatment at the BSO
- Author(s)
- Henighan Victor
- Abstract
- The consensus of research into the health effects of prolonged computer use suggest that users’ health may suffer as a result (Bammer (1986), Matias, Salvendy and Kuczek (1998)). However, the meaning of these findings is disputed by Starr, Thompson and Shute (1982), who identify a lack of attention to other work factors in other research. The author’s study follows the work of Bammer (1986) and Matias et al (1998) in trying to show any link between computer use and users’ musculo-skeletal symptoms. This study also tries to address the concerns of Starr et al (1986) by comparing computer users’ (users) symptoms and occupation with those of non-computer users (non-users). This research was designed to compare the symptoms, occupations and pastimes of users versus a control group of non-users, in patients presenting to the British School of Osteopathy (BSO). The rationale is that if computer-use has a significant effect on users’ musculo-skeletal health, the frequency of reported symptoms in the body areas most affected will be higher among users than non-users.The results show that overall, symptoms occur with greater frequency in users than in non-users. Detailed analysis shows body areas where symptom frequency differs between males and females, with female users having the greatest number of symptoms. No conclusions can be drawn from this data, because other factors that are present among users (but not necessarily attributable to computer use) have not been investigated and may contribute to the differences in symptoms reported. Additionally, the Inter-Rater Reliability achieved for this study was poor, so results may not be accurately reproduceable.
- Abstract
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2000
- Date Submitted
- 31.7.2000 00:00:00
- Type
- undergraduate_project
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 12168
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Occupational Health,Musculoskeletal Disorders,Ergonomics,Computers
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Henighan Victor, “A study of case histories to compare symptoms between computer users and no-computer users among patients presenting for treatment at the BSO”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 28, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/2292