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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2006

Open Access 01-12-2006 | Study protocol

Prospective research on musculoskeletal disorders in office workers (PROMO): study protocol

Authors: Stefan IJmker, Birgitte M Blatter, Allard J van der Beek, Willem van Mechelen, Paulien M Bongers

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2006

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Abstract

Background

This article describes the background and study design of the PROMO study (Prospective Research on Musculoskeletal disorders in Office workers). Few longitudinal studies have been performed to investigate the risk factors responsible for the incidence of hand, arm, shoulder and neck symptoms among office workers, given the observation that a large group of office workers might be at risk worldwide. Therefore, the PROMO study was designed. The main aim is to quantify the contribution of exposure to occupational computer use to the incidence of hand, arm, shoulder and neck symptoms. The results of this study might lead to more effective and/or cost-efficient preventive interventions among office workers.

Methods/Design

A prospective cohort study is conducted, with a follow-up of 24 months. In total, 1821 participants filled out the first questionnaire (response rate of 74%). Data on exposure and outcome is collected using web-based self-reports. Outcome assessment takes place every three months during the follow-up period. Data on computer use are collected at baseline and continuously during follow-up using a software program.

Discussion

The advantages of the PROMO study include the long follow-up period, the repeated measurement of both exposure and outcome, and the objective measurement of the duration of computer use. In the PROMO study, hypotheses stemming from lab-based and field-based research will be investigated.
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Metadata
Title
Prospective research on musculoskeletal disorders in office workers (PROMO): study protocol
Authors
Stefan IJmker
Birgitte M Blatter
Allard J van der Beek
Willem van Mechelen
Paulien M Bongers
Publication date
01-12-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-7-55

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