Objective:The aim of this study was to characterize associations between psychosocial and work organizational risk factors and upper-extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders.Background:Methodological limitations of previous studies of psychosocial and work organizational risk factors and musculoskeletal outcomes have produced inconsistent associations.Method:In this prospective epidemiologic study of 386 workers, questionnaires to assess decision latitude (“control”) and psychological job demands (“demand”) were administered to study participants and were used to classify them into job strain “quadrants.” Measures of job stress and job change were collected during each week of follow-up. Incident hand/arm and neck/shoulder symptoms and disorders were ascertained weekly. Associations between exposure measures and musculoskeletal outcomes were estimated with proportional hazard methods.Results:When compared to the low-demand/high-control job strain referent category, large increases in risk of hand/...
['Fredric Gerr', 'Nathan B. Fethke', 'Dan Anton', 'Linda Merlino', 'John Rosecrance', 'Michele Marcus', 'Michael P. Jones']
A Prospective Study of Musculoskeletal Outcomes Among Manufacturing Workers II. Effects of Psychosocial Stress and Work Organization Factors