An investigation of potential risk factors and musculoskeletal symptoms among the mobile computing workforce utilizing laptop computers including airport and airplane environments /
computer users was performed to investigate user demographics, self-reported pain or discomfort, software, peripheral, location utilization, and laptop usage patterns. The survey gathered information concerning potential personal, non-occupational, occupational, psychosocial risk factors, and laptop...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1998.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=732834341&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | computer users was performed to investigate user demographics, self-reported pain or discomfort, software, peripheral, location utilization, and laptop usage patterns. The survey gathered information concerning potential personal, non-occupational, occupational, psychosocial risk factors, and laptop utilization in non-traditional working environments (airport and airplane) and the possible development of symptoms related to upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. 440 laptop users responded to the survey, of which - 80% were male. Males were significantly older, taller, and reported a higher weight, with a corresponding significantly higher BMI. Female laptop users (54 %) tended to report symptoms of recent pain or discomfort more than males (43 %, p = 0.0641). The most frequently reported areas for pain or discomfort were the neck (24.2%), back (23.1%), and the hand/wrist (18.8%). Approximately 39 % of the survey respondents reported to be current smokers. Male laptop users were more likely to be current smokers than female laptop users. Approximately 56% of males and 61% of females reported themselves as being exercisers. Females reposed increased document and decreased keyboard viewing as well as a higher typing speed and using more fingers during typing operations Approximately 63% of the laptop respondents reported using the computer in the airport and 45% in the airplane environments. Males preferred to hand carry their lapdogs while females preferred to utilize a shoulder bag or a roll cad. The two most common types of software used were word processing (27 %), and communications software (20 %). The most common peripherals were AC converters, fax/modems and printers. Overall, this survey population of laptop computer users reported a drastically lower prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms than those reported in NIOSH HHEs desktop video display terminal operators within various industries. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Interdisciplinary Engineering". |
| Physical Description: | xii, 153 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 103-106. |