Cumulative Trauma Disorders: Behavioral Injury Prevention at Work

The purpose of this study was to decrease the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) during keyboard entry tasks through a combination of training, self-monitoring, feedback, goal-setting, and reinforcement. Technologies from biomechanics, ergonomics, and behavioral psychology were combined effectively to construct a powerful training package. As the subjects entered text on a keyboard, their postures and hand-wrist positions were recorded. After baseline data were gathered, subjects received training and self-monitored either posture or hand-wrist position. Feedback, goal-setting, and reinforcement were given later on both behaviors in a staggered fashion. The results indicate dramatic increases in the percentages of correctly performed postures and neutral hand-wrist positions, for all subjects. The training components used are reviewed in detail and the impact of these results is discussed.