The impact of VDU use and psychosocial factors at work on musculoskeletal shoulder symptoms among white-collar workers

This investigation of white-collar workers (n= 201) in Swedish industrial environments focused on an empirical examination of the relationships between work with visual display units (VDUs), psychosocial factors (skill discretion, appraised work load, job satisfaction), physical work load and musculoskeletal shoulder symptoms. This cross-sectional study was based upon questionnaire surveys carried out at industrial companies. The prevalence of shoulder symptoms during the previous year was 39%. Nearly one-half of the participants reported that they used a VDU for at least 4 h/day ('high VDU use'). High VDU use was related to increased Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR) for shoulder symptoms. After adjustment for physical work load, significant PORs were found in groups with high VDU use in combination with low job satisfaction (POR=4.8) or high appraised work load (POR=3.5), compared to groups with low VDU use in combination with high job satisfaction or low work load (reference groups).