Health IT > Health IT (HIT) Seminar > Abstracts
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders:
What are they, and what can we do about them?
Nancy Baker, ScD, MPH, OTR/L
Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Graduate Faculty, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
Monday, 23 September 2012
1:30 PM – Reddy Conference Room Gates & Hillman Centers 4405
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, are among the most common and expensive work-related injuries ($54 billion yearly, or 0.8% of the nationâs gross domestic product). Researchers in this area strive to reduce the work-related risk factors that contribute to the development of these occupational injuries. In this talk, Dr. Baker will review MSDs and their underlying risk factors. She will then discuss her research program, which focuses on the prevention of MSDs related to computer operation (e.g., mouse and keyboard), as an exemplar of some of the challenges faced by researchers in this field. Discussion points will include: measuring computer work performance, both through direct methods (e.g., motion capture) and indirect methods, the challenges of measuring pain, and exploring the issues regarding measurement and design of workstations to fit individual workers.
My research over the last 20 years has been focused on the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders associated with computer use. I am interested in identifying the parameters of computer tasks that can influence work performance and the risk for injury; understanding what environmental, personal, and psychosocial constraints moderate these tasks; and developing clinically feasible interventions to promote healthy computer performance and to reduce the effect of musculoskeletal disorders.
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