Shivangini Goburdhun | University of Mauritius (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Shivangini Goburdhun

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders among computer users: lesson learned from the role of posture and keyboard use

Journal of Electromyography and …, Jan 1, 2004

Reports in the scientific literature and lay press have suggested that computer users are at incr... more Reports in the scientific literature and lay press have suggested that computer users are at increased risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Early studies often found elevated rates of MSD outcomes among keyboard users when compared to non-users. Attention soon focused on specific aspects of keyboard work that might be responsible for the observed rate increase. In this review, the epidemiological evidence examining associations between MSD outcomes and computer user posture and keyboard use intensity (hours of computer use per day or per week) are examined.

Research paper thumbnail of Computer users' risk factors for developing shoulder, elbow and back symptoms

Scandinavian journal of …, Jan 1, 2004

This prospective study concentrated on determining factors of computer work that predict musculos... more This prospective study concentrated on determining factors of computer work that predict musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder, elbow, and low-back regions. A questionnaire on ergonomics, work pauses, work techniques, and psychosocial and work factors was delivered to 5033 office workers at baseline in early 1999 (response rate 69%) and to 3361 respondents at the time of the follow-up in late 2000 (response rate 77%). An increased frequency or intensity of symptoms was the outcome variable, including only nonsymptomatic respondents from the baseline questionnaire (symptom frequency below 8 days within the last 12 months or intensity score below 4 within the last 3 months). In the follow-up, 10%, 18%, and 23% had symptoms more often in the elbow, shoulder, and low back, respectively, and 14%, 20%, and 22% had more intense symptoms. Women were more likely to be afflicted than men in all regions. In the full-fit multivariate logistic regression analysis, little influence on the timing of a rest pause and being disturbed by glare or reflection were significant predictors of shoulder symptoms, screen below eye height was a significant predictor for elbow symptoms, and previous symptoms was a significant predictor for symptoms in all regions. Computer worktime and psychosocial dimensions were not significant predictors. Influence on work pauses, reduction of glare or reflection, and screen height are important factors in the design of future computer workstations. Since previous symptoms was a significant predictor of recurrent symptoms in all three regions under study, it can be concluded that musculoskeletal symptoms are persistent.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequent computer-related activities increase the risk of neck–shoulder and low back pain in adolescents

The European Journal …, Jan 1, 2006

Background: Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) and low back pain (LBP) increased among adolescents in the 1... more Background: Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) and low back pain (LBP) increased among adolescents in the 1990s and the beginning of 2000. A potential risk factor for this increase is the use of information and communication technology. We studied how the use of computers, the Internet, and mobile phones, playing digital games and viewing television are related to NSP and LBP in adolescents. Methods: Mailed survey with nationally representative samples of 14-, 16-, and 18-year-old Finns in 2003 (n ¼ 6003, response rate 68%). The outcome variables were weekly NSP and LBP. Results: NSP was perceived by 26% and LBP by 12%. When compared with non-users, the risk of NSP was 1.3 (adjusted odds ratios) when using computers >2-3 h/day, and 1.8 when using 4-5 h/day; 2.5 when using computers 42h/week,and1.7whenusingtheInternet42 h/week, and 1.7 when using the Internet 42h/week,and1.7whenusingtheInternet42 h/week. Compared with non-users, the risk of LBP was 2.0 when using computers >5 h/day, 1.7 when using 42h/week,1.8whenusingtheInternet42 h/week, 1.8 when using the Internet 42h/week,1.8whenusingtheInternet42 h/week, and 2.0 when playing digital games >5 h/day. Times spent on digital gaming, viewing television, and using mobile phones were not associated with NSP, nor were use of mobile phones and viewing television with LBP after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: Frequent computer-related activities are an independent risk factor for NSP and LBP. Daily use of computers exceeding 2-3 h seems to be a threshold for NSP and exceeding 5 h for LBP. Computer-related activities may explain the increase of NSP and LBP in the 1990s and the beginning of 2000.

Research paper thumbnail of Neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain in relation to computer use, physical activity, stress, and depression among Dutch adolescents

Pediatrics, Jan 1, 2006

OBJECTIVE. To examine among adolescents (1) the prevalence of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pa... more OBJECTIVE. To examine among adolescents (1) the prevalence of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain within different sociodemographic groups and (2) the association of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain with computer use, physical activity, depression, and stress.

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders among computer users: lesson learned from the role of posture and keyboard use

Journal of Electromyography and …, Jan 1, 2004

Reports in the scientific literature and lay press have suggested that computer users are at incr... more Reports in the scientific literature and lay press have suggested that computer users are at increased risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Early studies often found elevated rates of MSD outcomes among keyboard users when compared to non-users. Attention soon focused on specific aspects of keyboard work that might be responsible for the observed rate increase. In this review, the epidemiological evidence examining associations between MSD outcomes and computer user posture and keyboard use intensity (hours of computer use per day or per week) are examined.

Research paper thumbnail of Computer users' risk factors for developing shoulder, elbow and back symptoms

Scandinavian journal of …, Jan 1, 2004

This prospective study concentrated on determining factors of computer work that predict musculos... more This prospective study concentrated on determining factors of computer work that predict musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder, elbow, and low-back regions. A questionnaire on ergonomics, work pauses, work techniques, and psychosocial and work factors was delivered to 5033 office workers at baseline in early 1999 (response rate 69%) and to 3361 respondents at the time of the follow-up in late 2000 (response rate 77%). An increased frequency or intensity of symptoms was the outcome variable, including only nonsymptomatic respondents from the baseline questionnaire (symptom frequency below 8 days within the last 12 months or intensity score below 4 within the last 3 months). In the follow-up, 10%, 18%, and 23% had symptoms more often in the elbow, shoulder, and low back, respectively, and 14%, 20%, and 22% had more intense symptoms. Women were more likely to be afflicted than men in all regions. In the full-fit multivariate logistic regression analysis, little influence on the timing of a rest pause and being disturbed by glare or reflection were significant predictors of shoulder symptoms, screen below eye height was a significant predictor for elbow symptoms, and previous symptoms was a significant predictor for symptoms in all regions. Computer worktime and psychosocial dimensions were not significant predictors. Influence on work pauses, reduction of glare or reflection, and screen height are important factors in the design of future computer workstations. Since previous symptoms was a significant predictor of recurrent symptoms in all three regions under study, it can be concluded that musculoskeletal symptoms are persistent.

Research paper thumbnail of Frequent computer-related activities increase the risk of neck–shoulder and low back pain in adolescents

The European Journal …, Jan 1, 2006

Background: Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) and low back pain (LBP) increased among adolescents in the 1... more Background: Neck-shoulder pain (NSP) and low back pain (LBP) increased among adolescents in the 1990s and the beginning of 2000. A potential risk factor for this increase is the use of information and communication technology. We studied how the use of computers, the Internet, and mobile phones, playing digital games and viewing television are related to NSP and LBP in adolescents. Methods: Mailed survey with nationally representative samples of 14-, 16-, and 18-year-old Finns in 2003 (n ¼ 6003, response rate 68%). The outcome variables were weekly NSP and LBP. Results: NSP was perceived by 26% and LBP by 12%. When compared with non-users, the risk of NSP was 1.3 (adjusted odds ratios) when using computers >2-3 h/day, and 1.8 when using 4-5 h/day; 2.5 when using computers 42h/week,and1.7whenusingtheInternet42 h/week, and 1.7 when using the Internet 42h/week,and1.7whenusingtheInternet42 h/week. Compared with non-users, the risk of LBP was 2.0 when using computers >5 h/day, 1.7 when using 42h/week,1.8whenusingtheInternet42 h/week, 1.8 when using the Internet 42h/week,1.8whenusingtheInternet42 h/week, and 2.0 when playing digital games >5 h/day. Times spent on digital gaming, viewing television, and using mobile phones were not associated with NSP, nor were use of mobile phones and viewing television with LBP after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: Frequent computer-related activities are an independent risk factor for NSP and LBP. Daily use of computers exceeding 2-3 h seems to be a threshold for NSP and exceeding 5 h for LBP. Computer-related activities may explain the increase of NSP and LBP in the 1990s and the beginning of 2000.

Research paper thumbnail of Neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain in relation to computer use, physical activity, stress, and depression among Dutch adolescents

Pediatrics, Jan 1, 2006

OBJECTIVE. To examine among adolescents (1) the prevalence of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pa... more OBJECTIVE. To examine among adolescents (1) the prevalence of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain within different sociodemographic groups and (2) the association of neck/shoulder, low back, and arm pain with computer use, physical activity, depression, and stress.