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What is known about temperature and complaints in the upper extremity? A systematic review in the VDU work environment

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Abstract

Upper extremity musculoskeletal complaints and disorders are frequently reported among visual display units (VDU) workers. These complaints include cold forearms, hands or fingers. Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to gain an insight into the relationship between objective and subjective temperature decrease and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the upper extremity in a VDU work environment by (internal or external) cooling of the arm and hand. Two questions were formulated: (1) Is a VDU work environment (temperature between 15 and 25°C) associated with temperature decrease of the arm, hand or fingers in healthy subjects? (2) Is there a difference in arm, hand and finger temperature between patients with upper extremity MSDs and healthy subjects in a VDU work environment? Methods: Through a systematic literature search in six databases between 1989 and October 2005, 327 articles were retrieved and 17 included. Results: Forearm, hand and finger temperature significantly decreases when the ambient temperature (between 15 and 25°C) decreases. The skin temperature in the hand that uses a computer mouse is lower than the other hand in the same ambient temperature. At baseline, no objective temperature differences are found between patient groups and controls, whereas in patients with cold hand complaints, lower skin temperatures are found compared to controls. The association between temperature (changes) in the forearm, hand or fingers during VDU work, and MSDs in the upper extremity is not clear. Conclusion: There is no consistent evidence available for the association between upper extremity MSDs and temperature changes in forearm, hand or fingers in an office work environment.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Bart Visser and Margriet Formanoy (EXPres, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) for their ideas and advice with respect to this literature study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Research Institute AmCOGG, Amsterdam Centre for Health and Health Care Research, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22700, 1100, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Eline M. Meijer, Judith K. Sluiter & Monique H. W. Frings-Dresen

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  1. Eline M. Meijer
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  2. Judith K. Sluiter
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  3. Monique H. W. Frings-Dresen
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Correspondence to Eline M. Meijer.

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Meijer, E.M., Sluiter, J.K. & Frings-Dresen, M.H.W. What is known about temperature and complaints in the upper extremity? A systematic review in the VDU work environment. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 79, 445–452 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-005-0077-0

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