Ca. Feely et al., EFFECTS OF WORK AND REST ON UPPER EXTREMITY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF WORKERS PERFORMING REPETITIVE TASKS, Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 5(3), 1995, pp. 145-156
The temporal relationship between work and signs and symptoms of upper
extremity musculoskeletal disorders among workers at risk is relative
ly unexplored. The study focused on changes in upper extremity circumf
erence, volume, sensory threshold, and reported symptoms after work an
d rest All workers (N = 50) performed a repetitive poultry processing
task and had exhibited upper extremity signs and symptoms in baseline
testing prior to this study These workers manifested significantly inc
reased upper extremity circumference following a period of rest, with
circumferences decreasing during work. Upper extremity volume and repo
rted swelling also decreased during work. Reports of tenderness were s
ignificantly greater after work than after rest while reports of pain
were greatest after a short rest interval. Results show that the signs
and symptoms observed in these workers were manifestations of occupat
ional cumulative trauma and that further study of the relationship bet
ween work and signs and symptoms is needed.