In subgroup analyses , we found an equal effect of different stressor types ( i.e. cognitive/emotional stress , work pace , and precision ) on muscle activity in both body regions .
In conclusion , simulated workplace stressors result in an increase in neck-shoulder and forearm muscle activity .
No indications were found that different types of stressors affect these body regions differently .
Workplace stressors have been indicated to play a role in the development of neck and upper extremity pain possibly through an increase of sustained ( low-level ) muscle activity .
The aim of this review was to study the effects of workplace stressors on muscle activity in the neck-shoulder and forearm muscles .
An additional aim was to find out whether the muscles of the neck-shoulder and the forearm are affected differently by different types of workplace stressors .
Stress-induced muscle effort as a cause of repetitive strain injury?
The influence of stress-induced muscle effort during computer utilization was tested in patients with repetitive strain injury ( RSI ) . Twenty academic research ers with a formal medical diagnosis of RSI and 20 matched controls , r and omly selected from a sample of 71 colleagues with and without RSI ,  typed after stress ( induced via an intelligence/skill task under social pressure ) and after relaxation . Results indicated that both groups had more electromyography ( EMG ) activity in the shoulder muscles during typing after stress than after relaxation , but that patients started with higher baseline muscle activity . Furthermore , EMG activity of different muscle groups during typing after stress correlated among controls , but not among patients . Finally , analysis of intake forms showed that patients scored higher than controls on neuroticism and alexithymia , but not on extraversion , openness , agreeableness and conscientiousness . It was concluded that deviations in muscle activity during computer utilization , as well as neuroticism and alexithymia , may be risk factors for RSI
In subgroup analyses , we found an equal effect of different stressor types ( i.e. cognitive/emotional stress , work pace , and precision ) on muscle activity in both body regions .
In conclusion , simulated workplace stressors result in an increase in neck-shoulder and forearm muscle activity .
No indications were found that different types of stressors affect these body regions differently .
Workplace stressors have been indicated to play a role in the development of neck and upper extremity pain possibly through an increase of sustained ( low-level ) muscle activity .
The aim of this review was to study the effects of workplace stressors on muscle activity in the neck-shoulder and forearm muscles .
An additional aim was to find out whether the muscles of the neck-shoulder and the forearm are affected differently by different types of workplace stressors .