Volume 13, Issue 2 (Occupational Medicine Quarterly Journal 2021)                   tkj 2021, 13(2): 68-79 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: IR.SSU.SPH.REC.1397.035


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Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , ATAR.MAHVELAT@GMAIL.COM
Abstract:   (1704 Views)
Introduction: Rapid advances in technology, overuse of computers, and changing working conditions have made musculoskeletal disorders one of the most important occupational health issues in the world today. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve compressive neuropathy. Causes some occupational factors such as frequent and prolonged work with hands and fingers in the development of this syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the symptoms and functional status of CTS and to evaluate the effect of ergonomic educational intervention on the rate of CTS among the employees of public banks.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in the state banks of Torbat Heydariyeh in 1397. Symptoms severity and functional status of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome were assessed using Boston Questionnaire. Subjects with inclusion criteria were selected and the next step was ergonomic training intervention. After 6 months of intervention, the symptoms and functional status of the staff regarding carpal tunnel syndrome were determined .Wrist to caliper ratio was measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS 23 software using Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests.
Results: Results in the past 12 months and present showed that the most musculoskeletal disorders were in the neck, shoulder, waist, back, wrist and hand ,severe level 52.4,50.81,49.2,46,41.3 respectively. The results showed that the severity of CTS symptoms in the samples was in mild,moderate , and severe is in 66.7 , 20.6, 9.5 percent   respectively. The performance status of CTS in the three levels of mild, moderate, and severe is 47.6, 23.8 ,4.8  percent, respectively. Mean and standard deviation of wrist cross sectional area were determined in .708 .033 mm. The results showed that staff with wrist dimensions greater than 0.7 (square wrist) had higher severity of CTS symptoms and abnormalities .Also, there  was a significant relationship between dominant hand and CTS symptoms.(p=<0.001). The mean severity of symptoms and functional status disorder was higher in subjects with 25 BMI and also the frequency of moderate to severe symptoms in smokers was higher than non-smokers. People with higher education and lower education (36.1%). Significant severity of symptoms and functional status abnormalities were observed in mild, moderate and severe levels of physical activity (43%). Results of comparing the severity of symptoms and functional status of carpal tunnel syndrome in the two groups before and after the intervention show that the percentage of severity of symptoms of severe and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in the post-intervention group was significantly lower than before; Symptoms have changed. The results of comparing the severity of symptoms and functional status of carpal tunnel syndrome in two groups before and after ergonomic intervention using Wilcoxon test showed that there was a significant difference between the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms before and after the intervention.( Z=-3.606, p=<0.001).
Conclusion: Results of this study regarding the conditions that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome in bank employees showed that in general, any factor that can increase the contents or decrease the capacity of the wrist tunnel can cause the onset of symptoms of the syndrome, which is the severity of symptoms and functional status. Carpal tunnel syndrome was observed among bank employees at three levels of mild, moderate and severe. Based on ergonomic intervention, the severity of symptoms and functional status of carpal tunnel syndrome were significantly reduced. (P-Value> 0/001) Developing a specific ergonomic intervention program is essential to improve the functional status and symptoms of this syndrome. Understanding the syndrome symptoms, their training, and their effects, and then designing an appropriate ergonomic intervention program, is essential.Based on these results and the inclusion criteria of this study, it can be deduced that ergonomics training is an easy, low cost and practical method that can be used as an effective program to advance the goal of improving the symptom level of people with carpal tunnel syndrome. . It is recommended. Using simple, practical and low cost human and engineering engineering interventions and continuous monitoring of how these interventions are implemented over a long period of time in the light of management commitment and employee engagement can achieve desirable results in order to reduce Carpal tunnel syndrome prevalence among staff.
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Type of Study: Applicable | Subject: Ergonomics
Received: 2020/03/1 | Accepted: 2021/09/1 | Published: 2021/09/1

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