MSc (Occupational Therapy), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / Ergonomic interventions, addressing work and lifestyle factors, seem more effective
in reducing computer related upper limb repetitive strain injury (RSI).This study
considered the efficacy of such a programme on the resolution of RSI symptoms.
A cross sectional survey, of 325 computer workers in a medical aid company call
centres, in Gauteng, South Africa was used to establish a point prevalence of
30.23% for RSI symptoms, which correlates with those found elsewhere.
An occupational therapy ergonomic intervention was then designed and piloted for
efficacy. A randomised control trial conducted on 37 participants with RSI used the
programme and computer generated “Break Software”. The six week intervention
included the assessment of: three physical outcome measures and lifestyle factors
for, the experimental and control groups. Results indicated positive effects on pain,
grip strength, and lifestyle factors including feelings of inefficiency, pressure at the
end of the day, depression and work capacity, but little extrapolation of ergonomic
knowledge to the workplace.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/8837 |
| Date | 20 October 2010 |
| Creators | Eliot, Sancha |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf |
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