Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 17 (2003/2004) 9–13 9 IOS Press Musculoskeletal system disorders in computer users: Effectiveness of training and exercise programs Sen R. Omer, Emel Ozcan, Ayse Karan ∗ and Aysegul Ketenci Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul, Turkey Abstract. Various musculoskeletal system disorders occur as a result of the use of computers, which have become an integral part of modern life. The most important among such disorders is known as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD). In this study, we attempt to investigate CTD’seffects on daily life and the effectiveness of training and exercise programs in the management of this disorder at a state department where computers are widely used. Fifty patients with CTD between the ages 25 and 50 were recruited for the study and were randomized into two groups. The complaints of patients with CTD had appeared after they had started working in this job and they reported that their complaints were related to their occupation. The patients complained of head, neck, shoulder, back and wrist pains and most of them were diagnosed as Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The first group was given mobilization, stretching, strengthening and relaxation exercises five days a week for a period of two months following a training course. The second group was given a training course only. Both groups were assessed in terms of the following outcome criteria before and after the treatment: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Pain Disability Index for pain; Tiredness Scale for tiredness; and Beck Depression Scale for depression. At 2 months, the treatment group was observed to have experienced statistically significant improvements in NRS (p< 0.001), pain disability index (p< 0.05) and Beck depression scale (p< 0.05) values as compared to the control group. Mobilization, stretching, strengthening and relaxation exercises reduce pain and depression levels of CTD patients in the short term. We propose that studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the above results. Keywords: Computers, cumulative trauma disorder, exercise 1. Introduction Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) is among the most frequent ten occupational diseases in the United States. In computer operators, CTD results from the maintenance of the same posture for extended periods of time, repeated movements, inadequate ergonomic conditions and psychosocial factors [13]. The number of computer operators is rapidly increas- ing in parallel with the advances in technology. Com- * Address for correspondence: Ayse Karan, Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Physical Medicine and Re- habilitation, 34390 Sehremini, Istanbul, Turkey. Tel.: +90 212 635 11 85; Fax: +90 212 631 11 67; E-mail: makifkaran@ihlas.net.tr. puters produced and used that disregard ergonomics may lead to inefficiency, health problems, long-term discomfort and physical disabilities, as well as to loss of workdays. The main reason for the development of diseases like CTD is that they are regarded as harm- less [13,18]. Few studies have been conducted on the efficacy of treatment in cumulative trauma disorder. Several studies emphasize the role of ergonomic arrangements, education and exercise programs in minimizing these harmful effects [19,23]. The aim of this study is to in- vestigate the efficacy of preventive education and exer- cise programs in the treatment of CTD, which is an im- portant problem in the specific job sector of computer operation. ISSN 1053-8127/03/04/$17.00  2003/2004 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved