Ergonomic evaluation of computer workers

INTRODUCTION: Information technologies have become indispensable in the office environment with a considerable increase in the use of computers. Musculoskeletal complaints in computer workers have a multifactorial etiology; therefore, an ergonomic investigation should be based on both self-reporting of symptoms and quantifiable observational methods. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate ergonomic and biomechanical characteristics of computer workers to identify the presence of symptoms and to assess the existence of a correlation between experts’ observational assessment and workers’ self-perception. METHODS: Participants were approached by an observer responsible for screening of symptoms and demographic characteristics. Volunteers were then evaluated simultaneously by two blinded observers. RESULTS: Seventy-one computer workers participated, and no significant differences were observed for duration of work on a computer between participants with and without pain. Interobserver reliability was good (0.93, 95%CI 0.88-0.96). No correlation was found between Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire and Rapid Office Strain Assessment scores (p = 0.054/r = 0.230). There was no difference between participants with and without pain in the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (p = 0.931). In the Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire assessment, there were differences in job demand (p = 0.004), complaints (p = 0.034), and total score (p = 0.044), with higher scores for asymptomatic participants. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that asymptomatic individuals are subject to higher job demands probably because they have not previously experienced significant pain. However, they have other complaints, such as stiffness, disability, weakness, edema, and paresthesia. Symptomatic individuals, in turn, have greater trouble in aspects such as reduced amount of time spent on work and performance of work requiring extra effort.