Abstract

Physical examinations including muscle tenderness and neurological tests, were performed on two hundred ninety international telephone operators and their relations with work conditions and subjective symptoms were analyzed. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The prevalence of muscle tenderness was significantly higher in the shoulder and the arms than in other parts of body. 2. No difference of prevalence of muscle tenderness was noted according to the age of workers. 3. The prevalence of muscle tenderness on the shoulder and the arms significantly increased after the work duration of 5 years. 4. Muscle tenderness on the arm, the neck and the shoulder were dominant in the right side. 5. The prevalences of paraesthesia on right shoulder and right arm were higher than those on other parts of body. 6. A significant linear association was noted between the number of tender areas and positive response to questions. 7. The prevalences of positive Spurling test and Morley test were higher in the work duration group of 15 years and more. 8. It seemed that muscle tenderness examination and Morley test were more useful for the diagnosis of cervicobrachial disorders.

• Keywords: cervicobrachial disorder;musculoskeletal complaints;work posture