Posture at the computer workstation and its effect on musculoskeletal health

Paula Collier-Wood                                                Supervisor: Dawn Limbert

Abstract:
Objectives: 
Musculoskeletal problems such as neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist pain are frequently observed in those who use computers regularly. Identifying postures that may pre-dispose these disorders could prevent pain and suffering, psychosocial distress and lost time from work. Therefore the aim of this study is to identify at-risk postures and determine whether there is a correlation between posture at the computer workstation and musculoskeletal health. 
Method 
30 male workers at a design company specialising in computer animation were each measured using a goniometer whilst they sat at the computer workstation. Six angles were taken: head tilt (gaze angle), shoulder abduction (abd) and shoulder flexion (flex), elbow flexion (flex) and wrist extension (ext) and wrist abduction (abd). They then completed a musculoskeletal health questionnaire (Appendix I). The angles representing their posture were then compared to the questionnaire to establish if there was any correlation. 
Results 
Using Pearsons co-efficient, shoulder abduction was found to have a strong correlation with neck pain and shoulder flexion had a weaker correlation with neck pain. 

However, when the results were entered into SPSSno trends were established when neck pain was compared to shoulder posture, shoulder pain to shoulder posture or elbow pain to wrist posture. There was an indication that a trend may develop for ‘shoulder abduction and months at work’ and ‘neck pain and overweight’ categories. Also a weak trend showed ‘shoulder posture may be linked to shoulder and neck pain’ and ‘obesity and neck and shoulder pain’ may be linked. To establish this as statistically significant more subjects need to be involved in the study. 
Conclusion 
Although one set of results showed a strong correlation, only weak trends emerged with the SPSS results, showing there was no statistical evidence of posture at the computer workstation having an affect on health. This was likely to be because of design errors, particularly the small cohort. If these errors are addressed, it is possible that the trends identified may become statistically relevant.