Neck postures in air traffic controllers with and without neck/shoulder disorders.

Full Abstract

Prolonged computer work with an extended neck is commonly believed to be associated with an increased risk of neck-shoulder disorders. The aim of this study was to compare neck postures during computer work between female cases with neck-shoulder disorders, and healthy referents. Based on physical examinations, 13 cases and 11 referents were selected among 70 female air traffic controllers with the same computer-based work tasks and identical workstations. Postures and movements were measured by inclinometers, placed on the forehead and upper back (C7/Th1) during authentic air traffic control. A recently developed method was applied to assess flexion/extension in the neck, calculated as the difference between head and upper back flexion/extension. Results:
cases and referents did not differ significantly in neck posture (median neck flexion/extension:
-10 degrees vs. -9 degrees ; p=0.9). Hence, the belief that neck extension posture is associated with neck-shoulder disorders in computer work is not supported by the present data.

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Author information

Author/s: Arvidsson, Inger (I); Hansson, Gert-Ake (GA); Mathiassen, Svend Erik (SE); Skerfving, Staffan (S);

Affiliation: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden. inger.arvidsson@med.lu.se

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Applied ergonomics (Appl Ergon), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Mar; vol 39 (issue 2) : pp 255-60

Dates: Created 2007/12/17; Completed 2008/04/29;

PMID: 17568557, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Aviation
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Middle Aged
Neck Pain - epidemiology; etiology

Neck Pain - epidemiology; etiology
Occupational Health
Posture
Questionnaires
Shoulder Pain - epidemiology; etiology
Sweden - epidemiology
User-Computer Interface

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