Clinical trial NCT01178983: Efficacy of Telerehabilitation Intervention Program Using Telebiofeedback Among Computer Operators
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Keywords: work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among computer operators
Lead sponsor: Sheba Medical Center
Sponsor class: OTHER_GOV
First posted: 2010-08-10
Enrollment: 50
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 60
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: In the recent decades, with technology development, computer workstation has become fundamental both at work and at home environments, and is now used routinely for many purposes. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are most often characterized by backaches, neck and upper extremities pain, discomfort and pain in joints, muscles and soft tissues. Since it has been found that many musculoskeletal disorders are connected, among others, to biomechanical and psychosocial factors relating to a person's work environment, the literature refers to them as Work Related MSD (WRMSD). Risk factors correlated with WRMSD include repetitive motions, awkward positions or static muscle loading over prolonged periods of time, use of high keystroke force, direct mechanical pressure, vibration and extreme temperatures. Computer operators found to be sitting statically for a long time in front of the computer and keyboard, with limited options of changing body position. Psychosocial factors have also been implicated in the workstation musculoskeletal disorders with computer operators. Workers with WRMSD may suffer from persistent pain, loss of function and work disability. Therefore, it may include changes in the employment and earnings for injured workers. The complex nature of these injuries suggests that workplace rehabilitation interventions are a crucial aspect of treatment management.

The main objective of this study is to explore the use of biofeedback intervention, based on tele-rehabilitation principle, with computer operators suffer from WRMSD. Treatment efficacy will be tested by use of RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) method. Data analysis will be done by ANOVA Repeated Measures.

Hypothesis: Biofeedback intervention, based on tele-rehabilitation principle, will be found effective with computer operators suffer from WRMSD.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* computer operators who spend more than 4 hours a day working with computer
* computer operators who suffer from pain and inconvenience or injury in upper limbs, such as Lateral Epicondylitis, de Quervain disease, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome, Flexor-Extensor peritendinitis or teno-synovitis of the forearm-wrist region.

Exclusion Criteria:

* subjects who suffer from neurological injuries
* subjects who suffer from orthopedic injuries or other metabolic or autoimmune diseases, that cause joint oedema or hand numbness (pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis).

Primary outcomes:
measure: Posture at work environment measured by Rapid Upper LImb Assessment (RULA)
timeFrame: 15 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) - pain and inconvenience
timeFrame: 15 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Ramat Gan
country: Israel
facility: Sheba Tel Hashomer hospital - upper limb rehabilitation center
Study officials:
affiliation: Upper Limb Rehabilitation Center
name: Merav Golombowicz, BOT
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References: