Predicting Outcome in Patients With Work-Related Upper Extremity Disorders: A Prospective Study of Medical, Physical, Ergonomic, and Psychosocial Risk Factors

摘要

Work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs) impact workers and work organizations because of the diverse set of medical, psychological legal social and financial challenges that they can present. This impact is further magnified considering that a wide array of individuals can be affected and/or involved with the case. In addition to the worker and management, physicians, occupational/physical therapists, ergonomists, psychologists, as well as co- workers and family members may also be affected by the sequelae of a given WRUED case. Over the past few decades, empirical investigations have found that medical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors are correlated with and/or predictive of these disorders (e.g., Armstrong et al., 1993; Bongers et al., 1993; Hales AND Bernard, 1996).