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The association between working at a video display terminal (VDT) and development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well?established. The study surveyed the prevalence of CTS symptoms, explored the risk factors and evaluated the clinical application of hand diagrams, physical tests and electrodiagnosis among male VDT workers.A cross?sectional study was performed in an information and communication technology company. Three?forty questionnaires were completed and 82 volunteers participated in the physical examination and nerve conduction study. The personal and occupational risk factors for CTS were analyzed.The prevalence of CTS symptoms was 3.8% among 340 subjects, while prolonged median motor distal latency (>4.2 msec) was disclosed in 3.7% of a subgroup receiving examination. Classic/probable CTS symptoms was associated with high body mass index (>28 kg/m2, odds ratio?=?4.1, P?=?0.029) and moderate job seniority (3–5 years, odds ratio?=?4.6, P?=?0.023). Prolonged median motor distal latency was associated with older age (>35 years old). We did not observe correlation between CTS symptoms, abnormal NCS, positive Tinel's sign or Phalen's test.The prevalence of CTS symptoms was not high among the group of male VDT workers studied. Job seniority, but not specific tasks, was associated with CTS symptoms. More reliable and valid methods to quantify the ergonomic exposure are needed to establish the association of VDT tasks and CTS. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:1–7, 2007. © 2006 Wiley?Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of 3 different health promotion exercise programs for work-related shoulder and neck pain. Design: Comparative study design. Subjects: A total of 178 employees were recruited and grouped. Methods: Those in the "Self-exercise group" ( n = 56) were given a lecture about the exercise program and then performed the program by themselves during their office break. "Team-exercise group I" ( n = 69) performed the program once under the supervision of a physiotherapist after the lecture. "Team-exercise group II" ( n = 14) performed the program twice; once under a physiotherapist's supervision. A modified Nordic questionnaire, pain threshold and cervical range of motion were used to evaluate the effect of intervention. There were 39 subjects in the reference group. Results: When daily change of pain threshold (post-work - pre-work) was treated as an improvement index, the odds ratios for the self-exercise group, team-exercise group I and team-exercise group II were 1.39, 4.63 ( p < 0.05) and 7.06 ( p < 0.05), respectively, compared with the reference group. A dose-response effect of intervention intensity was demonstrated. Conclusion: An intensive team-exercise program is beneficial in reducing neck and shoulder symptoms in sedentary workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A new engineering intervention measure, an embracing air curtain device (EACD), was used to increase the capture efficiency of cooker hoods and reduce cooking oil fume (COF) exposure in Chinese restaurants. Methods An EACD was installed in six Chinese restaurants where the cooks complained of COF exposure. Before- and after-installation measurements were taken to compare changes in particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in kitchen air, and changes in levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The association between PM and PAHs in air and 8-OHdG and MDA in urine was evaluated by linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results Results showed that geometric mean kitchen air levels of PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0 and total particulate PAHs were significantly reduced after the EACDs were introduced. Urinary levels of 8-OHdG and MDA in cooks were also significantly lower after EACD instalment. PM2.5, PM1.0 and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) levels were positively associated with urinary 8-OHdG levels after adjusting for key personal covariates. Urinary MDA levels in cooks were also positively associated with BaP levels after adjusting for key personal covariates. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the EACD is effective for reducing COF and oxidative stress levels in cooks working in Chinese kitchens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]