ASSESSING CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME AMONG ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF A HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTION: A PRELIMINARY STUDY
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.1191
Abstract
Background: Repeated hand and wrist movements increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The administrative staff is one of the high-risk classes that repeatedly involve the execution of identical tasks.
Objective: This preliminary study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CTS among administrative staff and identify the socio-demographic and occupational risk factors for this syndrome.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted amongst administrative staff at one of the higher learning institutions in Pahang, Malaysia. A total of 61 respondents were conveniently sampled according to the inclusion criteria. Respondents were required to undergo three tests (Phallen’s test, Thinel’s test, Durkan’s test) to identify probable CTS and answer questionnaires (socio-demographic background, occupational risk factors, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and a Chi-square test was used to identify risk factors for CTS.
Results: The average age for respondents was 31.72 (+5.38). The majority of respondents were female (70.5%), with a bachelor’s degree background and below (91.2%), and never used ergonomic tools (68.9%). The prevalence of probable CTS was 16.5% (n=10). There is no statistically significant finding between socio-demographic and occupational risk factors with probable CTS (p >.05).
Conclusion: The data from this preliminary study revealed no association between the use of computers at work and probable CTS in a higher learning institution. Although the findings are not significant, this study can be used as a baseline for a future longitudinal study for nurses and other healthcare professionals to encourage good occupational and environmental health.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Andersen, J. H., Fallentin, N., Thomsen, J. F., & Mikkelsen, S. (2011). Risk factors for neck and upper extremity disorders among computers users and the effect of interventions: An overview of systematic reviews. PloS One, 6(5), e19691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019691
Çiftdemir, M., Çopuroğlu, C., Özcan, M., & Çavdar, L. (2013). Carpal tunnel syndrome in manual tea harvesters. Joint Diseases and Related Surgery, 24(1), 012-017. https://doi.org/10.5606/ehc.2013.04
Dale, A. M., Harris-Adamson, C., Rempel, D., Gerr, F., Hegmann, K., Silverstein, B., . . . Merlino, L. (2013). Prevalence and incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in US working populations: Pooled analysis of six prospective studies. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 39(5), 495. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3351
El-Helaly, M., Balkhy, H. H., & Vallenius, L. (2017). Carpal tunnel syndrome among laboratory technicians in relation to personal and ergonomic factors at work. Journal of Occupational Health, 16-0279. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.16-0279-oa
Esmaeilzadeh, S., Ozcan, E., & Capan, N. (2014). Effects of ergonomic intervention on work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among computer workers: A randomized controlled trial. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 87(1), 73-83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0838-5
Ithnin, A. (2012). Occupational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome among nurses in medical. International Journal of Public Health Research, 2(2), 137-143.
Jha, M. K. (2018). F101. Effect of gender on nerve conduction studies parameters in healthy individuals. Clinical Neurophysiology, 129, e104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2018.04.264
Kuo, L.-C., Hsu, H.-M., Wu, P.-T., Lin, S.-C., Hsu, H.-Y., & Jou, I. M. (2014). Impact of distal median neuropathy on handwriting performance for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome in office and administrative support occupations. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 24(2), 332-343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-013-9471-8
Łubkowska, W., Szark-Eckardt, M., Juszczyk, A., Zając, M., Stępień-Słodkowska, M., Mroczek, B., & Chinmay, P. (2016). Assessment of impact of the computer work station on the risk of musculoskeletal system diseases in banking sector employees. Lase Journal of Sport Science, 7(2), 93-106. https://doi.org/10.1515/ljss-2016-0019
Mediouni, Z., de Roquemaurel, A., Dumontier, C., Becour, B., Garrabe, H., Roquelaure, Y., & Descatha, A. (2014). Is carpal tunnel syndrome related to computer exposure at work? A review and meta-analysis. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 56(2), 204-208. https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000000080
Moom, R. K., Sing, L. P., & Moom, N. (2015). Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder among computer bank office employees in Punjab (India): A case study. Procedia Manufacturing, 3, 6624-6631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.11.002
Musolin, K., Ramsey, J. G., Wassell, J. T., & Hard, D. L. (2014). Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among employees at a poultry processing plant. Applied Ergonomics, 45(6), 1377-1383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2014.03.005
Newington, L., Harris, E. C., & Walker-Bone, K. (2015). Carpal tunnel syndrome and work. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 29(3), 440-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2015.04.026
Raman, S. R., Al-Halabi, B., Hamdan, E., & Landry, M. D. (2012). Prevalence and risk factors associated with self-reported carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among office workers in Kuwait. BMC Research Notes, 5(1), 289. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-289
Schmid, A. B., Kubler, P. A., Johnston, V., & Coppieters, M. W. (2015). A vertical mouse and ergonomic mouse pads alter wrist position but do not reduce carpal tunnel pressure in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Applied Ergonomics, 47, 151-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2014.08.020
Toosi, K. K., Hogaboom, N. S., Oyster, M. L., & Boninger, M. L. (2015). Computer keyboarding biomechanics and acute changes in median nerve indicative of carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical Biomechanics, 30(6), 546-550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.04.008
Wright, A. R., & Atkinson, R. E. (2019). Carpal tunnel syndrome: An update for the primary care physician. Hawai'i Journal of Health & Social Welfare, 78(11 Suppl 2), 6 - 10.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2020 Muhammad Kamil Che Hasan, Muhammad Shazwan Azman, Zulkhairul Naim Bin Sidek Ahmad, Farrah Ilyani Che Jamaludin, Mohd Khairul Zul Hasymi Firdaus

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.