SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “cumulative trauma disorder”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

How useful is the term "Cumulative Trauma Disorder"?

Cumulative trauma disorder is a widely accepted construct that refers to illnesses of the soft tissues which supposedly occur due to biomechanical workplace risk factors. However, is the term "cumulative trauma disorder" a useful term for describing the illness attributed to it? This paper will scrutinize this question by specifying the meaning of "cumulative trauma disorder" and examining this construct to see if the belief in it is justified, and if this belief is leading to the elucidation of the phenomenon it is purporting to notate. Anomalous findings will be identified and used to help evaluate the accuracy of the belief system currently surrounding the term. Finally the ability of the construct "cumulative trauma disorder" to provide an adequate foundation for research in this area will be explored. A model of alternate pathomechanisms for this illness is advanced to provide a method of studying the disorders associated with the term.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Neurologic manifestations of cumulative trauma disorder.

Cumulative trauma disorders plague industry, yet definite diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines have not been established. This study is a review of a group of 470 worker's compensation patients with upper-extremity pain. Eighty-four of these patients had neurologic symptoms that were related to repetitive activities, rather than a specific pain-producing incident. Sixty-six of these patients had some evidence of discrete nerve compression and underwent electrodiagnostic studies (EDS). From this set of patients, we established two different patterns of neurologic symptoms related to cumulative trauma disorder: type I (clinical picture fits EDS), and type II (clinical picture does not fit EDS). Surgical results are much more predictable in type I patients, with 80% getting good relief of symptoms. Surgery is much less likely to help patients with the more diffuse, type II picture.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Cumulative trauma disorders.

Cumulative trauma disorders have increased five-fold since 1979 and now account for up to 47% of workplace injuries. Nerve entrapment, tendonitis, and other soft tissue injuries are the most common diagnostic groups. Both occupational and non-occupational factors contribute to the etiology of these disorders. Epidemiology, differential diagnosis, and interventions for treatment are reviewed.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗

PubMed2000

Innovative approach for the treatment of cumulative trauma disorders.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) is the latest four-letter word for employees and employers. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the efficacy and cost effectiveness of ASTM, previously executed with Division I college athletes, in a work-related population. ASTM uses specially designed instruments to assist clinicians in rapid localization and effective treatment of soft tissue fibrosis/scar tissue. The protocol includes a flexibility and functional program that helps the worker adapt to the demands of the job. Physical and occupational therapists in both an outpatient clinic, and an industrial on-site setting, utilized ASTM. ASTM was considered successful, with symptoms resolved in over 70 percent of the patients. ASTM demonstrated impressive results in both settings and decreased medical and non-medical expenditures.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

An outcomes study of an occupational medicine intervention program for the reduction of musculoskeletal disorders and cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace.

Upper-extremity musculoskeletal pains or disorders (MSDs) account for a significant number of work-related illnesses in the US workforce. Although the concept of MSD prevention is appealing, little has been done to demonstrate the successful application and benefit of these programs. In 1995, an aircraft manufacturer established a unique risk-management program based on the individual risk assessment (CtdMAP) for new hires. The MSD intervention program was designed to prospectively evaluate each new employee for their individual risk of developing MSDs in the workplace. Before job placement, individuals at higher risk were assigned to a period of transitional work. Workers' compensation costs decreases per year were 16%, 3%, 24%, and 12%, while work hours increased by 56%. Employer-estimated savings in direct workers' compensation costs per year were $469,990, $678,337, $1,936,105, and $1,995,759.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1992

Avoiding cumulative trauma disorders in shops and offices.

Cumulative trauma disorders have been medically described for about 100 yr and have been related to physical activities for nearly 300 yr. Yet, avoiding these disorders in the shop and office is becoming of urgent concern only now, particularly because of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) investigation and enforcement program. Such disorders occur most often in soft tissues of the body, particularly at tendons and their sheaths. They may irritate or damage nerves and impede blood flow. They are frequent in the hand/wrist/forearm area; for example, in the carpal tunnel and in the shoulder and neck. Although controversy exists, occupational and leisure activities are generally believed to cause or aggravate cumulative trauma disorders. The major activity-related factors are rapid repetitive movements, forceful movements, static muscle loading, inappropriate body postures, vibrations, and cold. Yet, the quantitative thresholds above which cumulative trauma disorders are expected to occur are largely unknown and need to be researched. Furthermore, certain health conditions may make individuals predisposed to cumulative disorders. For most cumulative trauma disorders, physical activities and job procedures can be identified that are related to the occurrence of cumulative trauma disorders. This allows the establishment of generic and specific recommendations for the avoidance of conditions that may lead to cumulative trauma disorders in the workshop or the office.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1998

Cumulative trauma disorders and repetitive strain injuries. The future.

Cumulative trauma disorders account for 56% of all occupational injuries. Currently, occupational injuries affect 15% to 20% of all Americans. The United States government predicts that by the year 2000, 50% of the American workforce will have occupational injuries annually and 50 cents of every dollar will be spent on cumulative trauma disorders. There is common agreement on the need for reduction of cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace. However, there is little agreement on the appropriate definition for musculoskeletal pain that occurs in the workplace, or the ergonomic and epidemiologic model for cumulative trauma disorders, or on the specific exposure relationships of the individual, by the job, and occurring in the workplace. The previous treatments for, and the natural history of, cumulative trauma disorders in other countries gives some insight into the possible future of cumulative trauma disorders for the United States. Until research can provide specific dose and exposure relationships for the individual, prevention remains the best treatment for cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exploratory analysis to identify factors impacting return-to-work outcomes in cases of cumulative trauma disorder.

Current findings suggest that cumulative trauma disorders are multifaceted and have less predictable outcomes than trauma cases. The purpose of this study was to attempt to identify emerging patterns and predictive relationships in this diagnostic group that might be worthy of eventual prospective research. The data source was a comprehensive electronic database containing clinical information collected at point of care over a four-year period. A retrospective analysis was performed on 459 workers' compensation cases with upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders and a subset of 312 with carpal tunnel syndrome. The outcome criterion was return to work as a dichotomous variable. Only two significant correlations with return to work were found: the therapist's estimate of rehabilitation potential and the patient's outcome expectation of the ability to work. Further investigation of the role of beliefs and expectations in the therapeutic process would be a productive area for prospective study.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

The impact of workplace screening on the occurrence of cumulative trauma disorders and workers' compensation claims.

Work-related musculoskeletal pain, commonly referred to more specifically as musculoskeletal disorders or cumulative trauma disorders, has continued to occur despite efforts by employers, employees, health care providers, and the government to eradicate it. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has encouraged employers to establish ergonomic prevention programs; however, many employers are concerned that screening, education, and focused attention on workplace pain will cause an increase in the number of OSHA 200 events and the incidence of workers' compensation claims. This prospective cohort study demonstrated that there was no increase in the number of OSHA 200 events and no increase in the incidence of workers' compensation claims after completion of an individual risk screening program that included education and employee awareness about work-related musculoskeletal pain. Incidence of cumulative trauma disorders has been most effectively reduced by use of individual risk-screening programs. Therefore, employers should be encouraged to develop and implement prevention programs that include individual risk screening.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Work-related cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity.

Cumulative trauma disorders due to performance of repetitive tasks account for more than 50% of all occupational illnesses in the United States today. Employees affected by these disorders frequently experience substantial pain and functional impairment that may require a change in occupation. For the employer, these injuries result in loss of productivity and increased costs in the form of higher medical expenses and disability payments for injured workers. Successful treatment of work-related repetitive tissue injuries depends on early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. Prevention requires identifying sites and tasks that place employees at risk of injury and supporting efforts to develop safer work environments.

Arm↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Medical screening of office workers for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders.

An apparent "outbreak" of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) was noted in a subset of white-collar workers employed in medical illustration and medical graphic arts. Among graphic artists (n = 7), there were three cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), based on patient reports of personal physician diagnoses; no such reports occurred among other workers in the department (n = 39, p = .0023, Fisher's exact test). Jobs were studied to identify possible risk factors for CTDs, and workers underwent a standardized medical screening protocol. Specific work elements were found to be performed more frequently by graphic artists and appeared to be related to increased reporting of distal upper extremity symptoms and electrodiagnostic changes at the wrist. Nevertheless, using a strict case definition of CTS that required electrophysiologic evidence of median mononeuropathy at the wrist and appropriate symptoms or signs, only two persons--one graphic artist and one comparison subject--had evidence of mild CTS. The approach employed in this study of an outbreak of CTDs is an example of a multidisciplinary investigation of CTDs in an office setting.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A high prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in Iranian instrumentalists.

BACKGROUND: Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are common in musicians and their prevalence has been the subject of a number of studies in most western countries. Such studies are scarce in developing countries despite the possibility that CTDs may have a different prevalence in these countries, especially when considering traditional musical instruments and different methods of playing. Although not formally studied before, according to our experience the prevalence of CTDs seemed to be high among Iranian instrumentalists. We proposed this study to determine the prevalence of CTDs in amateur music students playing one of the two traditional Iranian instruments: Daf and Setar. METHODS: In a prospective cross sectional study, we interviewed and examined the students of three music training centers in Iran. Seventy eight instrumentalists, who were playing Daf or Setar and twelve students who had not started playing yet were regarded as case and control groups respectively. Some of them also underwent electrodiagnostic studies. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent (17 of 36) of the Setar players and 57% (24 of 42) of the Daf players and fifty-three percent (41 of 78) of the instrumentalists as a whole had CTDs. None of them had carpal tunnel syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that the prevalence of CTDs in Iranian instrumentalists was unusually high. In addition to age, other variables may be contributory. This needs to be further studied.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Treatment for clients with cumulative trauma disorders: using an educational model to communicate choices.

1. Cumulative trauma disorders comprise more than half of all occupational injuries reported in the U.S. 2. Lack of clear definition about cumulative trauma disorders causes confusion for clients in the workers' compensation system. 3. A teaching poster about cumulative trauma disorders was developed (describing prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation) to assist clients in understanding this disorder. Emphasis was placed on clients' choice in decision making about treatment. 4. Evaluation was carried out using a survey questionnaire. The majority of clients thought the poster was "helpful" or "very helpful." Actual behavioral change was most noticeable in the categories of "took steps to reduce risk factors" and "asked more questions about care."

Audiovisual Aids↗

PubMed1994

The cost of compensable upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders.

There is little information available of the costs of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. Cost data were collected from computerized records of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder workers' compensation claims (N = 6,067) and for all claims (N = 731,087) initiated from 45 states during 1989. The data were not analyzed until July 1992, allowing more accurate "closing cost" data to be used in the analysis. Upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder cases represented 0.83% of all claims and 1.64% of all claims costs. The mean cost per case for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders was $8070; median cost per case was $824. Medical costs represented 32.9% of the total costs; indemnity costs were 65.1%. The total compensable cost for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders in the United States was estimated to be $563 million.

Arm Injuries↗

PubMed1992

Cumulative trauma disorders among educational interpreters. Contributing factors and intervention.

Upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders became a potentially significant occupational hazard among sign language interpreters at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in the 1988-89 academic year. The following case control study was conducted to identify factors that might play a role in developing, exacerbating, and maintaining upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders among interpreters. Investigations were conducted to determine whether medical status, physical capacities, interpreting styles, pain, fatigue, and job stress differed among NTID's sign language interpreters. This report provides a general summary of selected findings as well as a conceptual framework that should help clarify the factors associated with upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders in sign language interpreters. The results indicated that the upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder diagnosed most often is tendinitis rather than a nerve entrapment syndrome (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome). Analysis of the frequency of potential biomechanical risk factors indicated that those reporting pain demonstrated higher frequency of hand and wrist deviations from the neutral position, higher frequency of the upper extremities leaving a predefined work space, fewer rest breaks during interpreting sessions, and higher evaluator ratings of pace of finger and hand movements. Specific features of interpreting styles were associated with increased pain and fatigue.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Cumulative trauma disorder of the upper limb.

The current status of cumulative trauma disorder of the upper limb is examined from the standpoint of its long history, its current controversies, and the philosophic basis of the present laws, which control management of the condition. The future needs that should permit cumulative trauma disorders to be better understood, better managed, and better legislated are also addressed.

Arm Injuries↗

PubMed1982

Investigation of cumulative trauma disorders in a poultry processing plant.

Cumulative trauma disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tenosynovitis can be caused, precipitated, or aggravated by repeated exertions with the hand. This paper describes a study in a poultry processing factory that proceeds from an analysis of health records to an analysis of work methods, postures and forces. Alternative work procedures and knife designs are recommended to reduce stressful work postures and forces.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Reducing cumulative trauma disorders: use of proper workplace design.

1. Cumulative trauma disorder can be reduced by applying four ergonomic approaches: applying anthropometric data, reducing the number of repetitions, reducing the force required, and eliminating awkward postures as much as possible. 2. Selecting the proper work surface height will help reduce fatigue, pain, and discomfort and will allow the employee to be at the right height in relation to the task. Ideally, an adjustable height work surface should be provided that will accommodate all potential users. 3. Prolonged standing and sitting are physically stressful to the body. However, by providing a well designed work area with the appropriate accessories, such as antifatigue mats, ergonomic chairs, and footrests, fatigue and discomfort can be minimized. 4. In addition to providing a properly designed work area, a successful ergonomics program should include training, administrative actions, and exercise programs.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗