EVALUATION OF SYMPTOM SURVEYS FOR OCCUPATIONAL MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

Symptom surveys have been used extensively as part of workplace ergono mic screening programs and epidemiologic assessments of musculoskeleta l disorders in groups of workers. This paper examines the reliability and validity of two musculoskeletal symptom surveys, the Nordic Muscul oskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and a survey used in conjunction with ep idemiologic assessments by the National Institute for Occupational Saf ety and Health (NIOSH). Journal articles assessing the validity and re liability of the NMQ were reviewed. A retrospective assessment combini ng two NIOSH cohorts with a total of 852 workers assessed the reliabil ity and validity of that survey. Reliability was assessed through test -retest methods and interitem correlations between similar questions. Validity was assessed by comparison with results from physical examina tion assessments of workers and self-reports of workers seeking medica l care. Both reliability and validity were found to be acceptable for the purposes of workplace ergonomics programs. Implications for use of these surveys for prevention and treatment outcomes research are disc ussed. (C) 1996 Wiley Liss, Inc.