Abstract
The role of nonoccupational risk exposures on reports of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among full-time computer workers was investigated for 403 State office employees. The non-occupational risk exposures involving repetitive hand motions that were assessed included home computer use, domestic activities (gardening, home maintenance), hobbies (e.g. knitting) and sports (e.g. volleyball). Reports of MSDs were significantly elevated by both occupational factors (duration of keyboard use without a rest break, typing speed, typing skill) and nonoccupational factors (home computer use, gardening, crocheting and needlepoint). Reports of MSDs were not significantly affected by other occupational factors (hours of keyboard and/or mouse use, wearing corrective lens, number of times getting out of the chair) or nonoccupational factors (knitting, golf, tennis, racquetball, volleyball). The results indicate that MSD symptom reports may be the result of total exposure to certain risk factors both in and outside of the workplace.
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