Stretching to Reduce Upper Limb Pain in Computer Operators
Author Information
Author(s): Jepsen Jorgen R, Thomsen Gert
Primary Institution: Department of Occupational Medicine, Sydvestjysk Sygehus, Denmark
Hypothesis
Can a six-month stretching intervention reduce upper limb symptoms in computer operators?
Conclusion
A six-month course of stretching seems to reduce upper limb symptoms in computer operators but did not show a clear influence on neurological physical findings.
Supporting Evidence
- Summarized pain was significantly reduced in the intervention group but unchanged in controls.
- Fewer neurological abnormalities were recorded for the whole material after the intervention.
- Incident pain correlated to findings in accordance with the three locations of nerve affliction.
Takeaway
Doing stretching exercises can help make your arms feel better if you work on a computer a lot.
Methodology
The study involved a controlled interventional trial with computer operators who participated in a stretching program and were evaluated before and after the intervention.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to non-randomized allocation to intervention and control groups.
Limitations
The small sample size and high dropout rate may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Participants were computer operators from two divisions of a Danish engineering company, with a mean age of 37 in the intervention group and 41 in the control group.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0008
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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