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Benefits June 11, 2001
Computer Use Doesn't Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
June 11, 2001 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Heavy computer
use, even up to seven hours per day, does not increase the
risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, according to a new
study.
Reported by Camilla Klein
Research undertaken at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, revealed that since the syndrome is a common condition affecting 10% of the population, it follows that some computer users will develop it.
Surveys were sent to 314 computer workers at the Mayo facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, inquiring about common symptoms of the syndrome. Researchers interviewed 257 who indicated symptoms.
Unless the patients were clearly diagnosable with a condition other than carpal tunnel, they were tested for the syndrome via electromyogram (EMG) or a nerve conduction study.
Only 10.5% of the participants met clinical criteria for carpal tunnel, and in 3.5% of the cases, an EMG confirmed the syndrome.
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