Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2015 , Vol 61 , Num 4

Özgül BOZKURT TUNCER 1 ,Hakan GENÇ 2 ,Barış NACIR 2 ,Hatice Rana ERDEM 3
1 Yüksekova Devlet Hastanesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Kliniği, Hakkari, Türkiye
2 Ankara Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Kliniği, Ankara, Türkiye
3 Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Kırşehir, Türkiye
Objective: The aim was to determine the rate of cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) among computer users, to question the risk factors concerning CTD, to assess the disability and depression levels of patients, and to examine the interaction between these factors.

Material and Methods: One hundred fifty computer users are included in the study. They were classified as the “complainant group (Group 1, CTD+)” having symptoms in the neck, back, and upper extremity and “non-complainant group (Group 2, CTD−)” having no symptoms. In the control group, 50 non-computer user hospital staff were included (Group 3). All participants were asked to fill our questionnaire form, including detailed risk factor query and physical examination. Pain was assessed by the visual analog scale. The Jamar hand dynamometer was used for isometric hand grip strength measurement. The Beck Depression Scale (BDS) was used for the assessment of the emotional mood of the participants. To measure the general disability levels of the participants, the Quick DASH Score (QDS) was used, and to measure disability levels during work, the Quick DASH Work Score (QDWS) was used.

Results: QDS, QDWS, and BDS score were significantly higher in the complainant group than in the non-complainant and control groups (p<0.01 - p<0.05). Statistically significant correlations were found between QDS, QDWS and increased time spent in the profession, increased daily working time, number of days per week in the complaint, pain duration, increased BDS score, decrease in family and social life satisfaction, and decreased hand grip strength.

Conclusion: We determined that CTD and mood disorders are common among computer users. We believe that recovery in workplace conditions, ergonomic circumstances, depression, and negative aspects in social life have a great importance in the treatment and more importantly in the prevention of this clinic entity that cause serious disability and work force loss. Keywords : Cumulative trauma disorders, pain, risk factors, disability