AN EARLY MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS IN I.T PROFESSIONALS:IS IT LEADING TO COMPUTER OVER USE SYNDROME(OOS)

Abstract

Background: Study assess the hand grip strength, hand endurance and musculoskeletal symptoms in computer users. Healthy male, desk job profile ,25 to 40 yrs(28±4.24).Grip strengths and endurance was measured (Kgs); (Secs) respectively.40 respondants, compared with 40 age matched control, light manual workers who don’t work on computers but working as college attendants. MSK symptoms; low back pain in 30(75%),fatigue 35(87.5%),neck pain 36(90%) and wrist pain 34(85%).Mean right hand grip strength(HGS) was 19 ± 2.44 in respondants and 26.15 ± 5.19 in controls. Mean endurance in right hand was 5.3 ± 0.973 in secs and 5.25 ± 2.37 in controls, p<0.01 was highly significant. Mean left HGS was 23.8 ± 2.72 in respondents and 24.3 ± 4.99 controls. Mean endurance in left hand was 3.9 ± 0.796 in respondents and 6.10 ± 2.15 in controls, p<0.01 was highly significant. We found that HGS of right hand had weakly positive association than left hand with HGE p<0.05 in respondants. Not significant at p<0.05 in control group. Constant computer usage may reduce hand grip strength, endurance and leads to musculoskeletal disorders in long run. Proper ergonomics is
essential