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PubMed2005

Heart rate increase to alcohol administration and video lottery terminal (VLT) play among regular VLT players.

The authors examined heart rate responses to video lottery terminal (VLT) play and alcohol intake. Forty-four VLT players were randomized to an alcohol (mean blood alcohol concentration=0.06%) or a control beverage condition. Heart rate was recorded at pre- and postdrinking baseline and during VLT play. Alcohol participants displayed elevated heart rates relative to controls at postdrinking and VLT play. Controls displayed elevated heart rates during VLT play relative to both pre- and postdrinking baselines, whereas alcohol participants displayed elevations at post- relative to predrinking and at VLT play relative to postdrinking. Heart rate increases from predrinking to VLT play were greater among alcohol participants relative to controls. Results provide novel information that the combination of VLT play and alcohol further intensifies heart rate increase relative to either alone. Implications for pathological gambling and alcohol use disorder comorbidity are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Facial skin symptoms in visual display terminal (VDT) workers. A case-referent study of personal, psychosocial, building- and VDT-related risk indicators.

BACKGROUND: The Office Illness Project in northern Sweden, comprising both a screening questionnaire study of 4943 office workers and a case-referent study of facial skin symptoms in 163 subjects was recently completed. Previously published results from the survey showed that female gender, asthma/rhinitis, high psychosocial work load, visual display terminal (VDT) and paperwork were related to an increased prevalence of facial skin symptoms. METHODS: The case-referent study presented in this paper used data from the questionnaire supplemented by information from a clinical examination, a survey of psychosocial factors at work, building data and VDT-related factors from inspection and measurements taken at the work site. RESULTS: Psychosocial conditions and exposure to electromagnetic fields or conditions associated with such factors were related to an increased occurrence of skin symptoms. The results also indicated that personal factors such as atopic dermatitis and physical exposure factors influencing indoor air quality, such as paper exposure and cleaning frequency were related to an increased prevalence of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that skin symptoms reported by VDT users have a multifactorial background.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1992

[Quantitative analysis of eye movement during VDT work].

The point of fixation during visual display terminal (VDT) work was analyzed by using Eye Mark Recorder-NAC with their corneal reflexes. The subjects were categorized into 2 groups, expert VDT worker and non-expert with VDT work. As for the VDT task, Japanese sentences were loaded. On the other hand, ordinary desk work copying was loaded using the same Japanese sentences. The following results were obtained. VDT work needed more complex eye movements in both vertical and horizontal directions compared with desk work. The point of fixation was mainly located on the surface of the oscilloscope in the expert subjects, whereas, it was mainly located on the keyboard in non-expert subjects. In analyzing the velocity of eye movements during VDT work, the expert moved the eyes more slowly than the non-expert. These results suggested that the VDT experts can move their eyes more effectively and slowly.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Influence of microclimate factors on ocular discomfort in video display terminal workers].

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effect of environmental parameters (temperature, air velocity, relative humidity, illumination level, cubature) on ocular symptoms (tiredness, tearing, redness, blinking, itching, burning, photophobia, foreign body sensation, and heaviness) in a group of 54 male Video Display Terminal (VDT) workers. The subjects were employed in a public office placed in Messina and naturally ventilated; the investigation was performed in Spring time. Information about the ocular symptoms, occurring during the workshift, were gathered through a questionnaire; environmental measurements were performed by a data collector LSI. The results showed that 43 subjects out of 54 (79%) reported a lack of eye comfort; in addition the illumination level, temperature and air velocity were not consistent with those suggested by the Italian Regulatory Authority. A significant correlation between illumination level, temperature, air velocity and eye discomfort (tearing, heaviness, blinking, photophobia itching, respectively) was found. The Authors conclude that the inadequate environmental condition, possibility in interaction with the indoor chemical contaminants and the workload at VDT, may be responsible for the irritative eye symptoms complained by VDT-workers at workplace.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Visual discomfort and astigmatic refractive errors in VDT use.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of small amounts of uncorrected astigmatism on the visual comfort of video display terminal (VDT) users. We hypothesized that these small errors produce visual discomfort in the use of these devices even though visual acuity is relatively unaffected. Eight subjects (ages 23-35 years) with corrected visual acuities of 20/20 participated. Our double-masked cross-over experiment included two 25-minute periods during which the subject read from a VDT. The subjects were randomly assigned to wear either the test lens pair (+0.50 D x 090) or a control lens pair (+0.12 DS) over their best correction during the first period and the alternative pair during the second period. A questionnaire was used to obtain ratings of visual discomfort. Our analysis of the data indicated greater reported eyestrain for the test lens pair (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.01). These results suggest careful consideration be given to the correction of small amounts of astigmatic errors for VDT users.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Musculoskeletal disorders among operators of visual display terminals.

Using a visual display terminal (VDT) is today a common occupational task with both benefits and hazards. One of the hazards is the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. This paper examines the possible causes of such disorders and suggests some preventive strategies. The debate on the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and VDT usage usually centers around occupational factors (eg, constrained posture, poor ergonomic design of the workplace, equipment design), work-related psychological factors (eg, perceived high job demands, mundane, boring and repetitive job activity, little control, poor support from colleagues and superiors), and psychosocial factors (eg, biodemographic characteristics such as age, previous musculoskeletal injuries, emotional stress, family burden, environmental factors). Improving the ergonomic design of VDT workstations, changing occupational legislation, and improving occupational health services have been suggested as means to decrease the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among VDT workers. Much research with a multidisciplinary approach is still needed.

Computer Terminals↗
PubMed1994

[Evaluation of refractive values in patients working for several years at video display terminals. A long-term study].

The authors discuss whether working at a VDT (video display terminal) over a period of years causes non-reversible changes in refraction, especially if it induces a drift towards myopia. A total of 107 persons who had been working at VDT for many years were examined at 2-year intervals and the observations compared with those recorded in 69 persons who had never worked at a VDT. Changes in the correction strengths of their spectacles were evaluated. The statistical analysis was done by chi-square value determination and the Mann-Whitney U-test. The special lens values (diopters) showed no significantly different development in the two groups. It can therefore be concluded that VDT work does not cause myopia to worsen. The cylindrical lens values on the other hand differed significantly in the two groups. This is most probably because any inadequacy in the correction of visual acuity will be noted more easily by persons involved in VDT work.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Visual comfort in VDT workstation design.

This study aims to give recommendations for a comfortable visual display terminal (VDT) workstation design by investigating physiological resting states of the eye in 3 experiments. Dark vergence, in experiment 1, was evaluated to be at a distance of about 50 cm from the eye as an average of 14 subjects. Dark vergence was found to shift farther with an upward gaze while a nearer shift occurred with a downward gaze. In experiment 2, the average dark focus for 11 subjects was found to be 1.4 diopters (D) or a distance of about 74 cm from the eye. Experiment 3 ascertained the superiority of a positive display polarity (dark characters on a bright background) under 500 1x illuminated level, by using pupil size analysis in 10 subjects. The ergonomic recommendations for a VDT workstation obtained in this study are a positive display polarity under regular lighting condition, a downward gaze, and a viewing distance between 50 and 70 cm.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Physiological deactivation after two contrasting tasks at a video display terminal: learning vs repetitive data entry .

Two contrasting 90 min VDT work situations were simulated in the laboratory: (1) a machine-paced, repetitive data entry task; and (2) a stimulating, self-paced learning task with successive feedback. Thirty non-smoking male students (20-34 years), without previous experience of VDT work, participated individually in each condition on two consecutive days (balanced order) and in a task-free baseline condition. Self-reports and successive measurements (ambulatory recordings) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were obtained during work and during a subsequent 60 min period of deactivation. Urine samples were obtained after each period for the determination of catecholamines and cortisol. In the baseline condition, measurements were obtained at corresponding times of the day. As expected, the data entry task was associated with self-reports of boredom, irritation, and unpleasantness; the learning task wtih alertness, interest, and ability to concentrate. Similar elevations of physiological measurements occurred in both work situations. However, differences between conditions were found after work. Following data entry, deactivation was slower in five of the six variables (significant for epinephrine).

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A cross-country comparison of short- and long-term effects of an ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal discomfort, eyestrain and psychosocial stress in VDT operators: selected aspects of the international project.

Three groups of data entry female visual display terminal (VDT) workers from Norway (n = 30), Poland (n = 33) and the USA (n = 29) were compared. Before intervention, the Norwegian group reported more neck pain compared with the Polish group. The Polish group reported less shoulder pain than both the U.S. and the Norwegian groups. The clinical examination documented fewer symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal illness among the Polish participants compared with the Norwegian and the U.S. groups. After intervention, the Norwegian group reported a reduction in neck pain while the U.S. group reported a reduction in shoulder pain. The Polish group reported an increase in neck, shoulder and forearm pain at follow-up compared to after intervention. The Polish group recorded higher flexion of the upper arm at follow-up parallel with an increase of pain in the upper part of the body. Visual discomfort showed variable results in the 3 countries.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effect of periocular warming on accommodation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of periocular warming on accommodation amplitude and near vision after prolonged near work in visual display terminal (VDT) workers in an office setting. DESIGN: Prospective interventional observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ten healthy Japanese male volunteers (mean age, 39.3+/-2 years [range, 36-43]) with a best distance corrected visual acuity (VA) of >20/20 who performed near work for 7 hours were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The differences of subjective and objective accommodations, near acuity, and pupil diameters were compared and studied in 2 experimental settings with and without periocular warming. METHODS: Two experiments were performed on each subject on 2 different days. In one experiment, the subjects wore an eye mask and closed their eyelids for 10 minutes after 7 hours of VDT work (lid closure [LC] group). In the other experiment, the subjects applied warming sheets (WSs) to their eyelids and the periocular region and wore masks for 10 minutes again after 7 hours of VDT work (WS group). Visual display terminal work was performed under the same settings on both days. Subjective and objective accommodations, near vision, and pupil diameters were measured immediately before and immediately after the resting or warming procedure and again 90 minutes after the resting or warming procedures. RESULTS: Fifty percent of eyes had an increase in the accommodation amplitude of at least 0.5 diopters immediately after application of the WSs. Forty percent of eyes still maintained the accommodation amplitude level at 90 minutes. The mean near logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VA immediately after application of WSs and at 90 minutes significantly improved relative to the near acuity values after simple eyelid closure. CONCLUSION: Periocular warming was found to be associated with increases in subjective and objective accommodations, with a concomitant improvement in near VA. Periocular warming with disposable WSs is a simple and effective method of increasing near work-related ergonomy.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development and use of a prehospital-oriented EMS computer bulletin board service.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a Level 1 trauma center's response to the need for centralized information for EMS providers by implementing a computer bulletin board service (BBS). This service permits rapid retrieval of continuing education and reference information as well as an electronic forum for EMS-related issues. METHODS: A desktop computer with a modem supporting 14.4 kbps running Remote Access v2.01 is accessed by both local and toll-free telephone numbers. Users may connect using any personal computer or terminal equipped with a modem as no proprietary formats are used. The service is available 24 hours a day, free of charge, and requires users to register online. RESULTS: The first 41 months of experience has seen 9,592 calls answered by the BBS. 1,372 users, who may be individuals or groups, have registered on the service. Usage occurs in every county in the sponsor's state. In one sample period, 49% of the activity was educationally related, followed by discussion forums (26%). The BBS is used most heavily in the afternoon and evening hours. CONCLUSIONS: A prehospital-oriented EMS BBS has seen increasing utilization in its first 41 months of existence. It has rapidly established itself as a statewide mainstay of EMS information while being inexpensive to develop and maintain. It provides focused service to a target audience and is easily accessible. The development of similar local resources elsewhere is encouraged.

Computer Systems↗
PubMed2004

[Survey on visual and musculoskeletal symptoms in VDT workers].

With the spread of visual display terminals (VDT) in offices, the numbers of workers using VDT and the working hours at such equipment have increased rapidly in recent years. Also, preventive measures for fatigue have been proposed and the office-working environment has been improved. To examine the effects of the rapid changes in working conditions and environment on the health of VDT workers, we conducted a questionnaire survey in 2002. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to 3,927 office workers; 2,374 (60.5%) responded. Subjects whose questionnaires had missing data were excluded from analysis. As a result, 1,406 (male: 1,069, female: 337) workers aged 20 to 59 were subjected to analysis. By a logistic regression model, we examined the association between VDT use and visual and musculoskeletal symptoms. Prevalence of eye strain and/or pain (72.1%) was the highest, followed by neck stiffness and/or pain (59.3%), low back stiffness and/or pain (30.0%) and hand or arm strain and/or pain (13.9%). Women consistently reported more discomfort than men. As a result of the logistic regression model, eye strain and/or pain was associated with dissatisfaction with airflow, but not with factors affecting visual symptoms as reported in previous studies, for example, reflection of light and blurred characters on the screen. It was thought that airflow appeared as a risk factor because the lighting environment had been improved in offices to prevent reflection of light on the screen. Neck stiffness and/or pain was associated with raising the shoulders during VDT work, the unsuitable shape of the computer mouse for a hand, and the inconvenient arrangement of the mouse in relation to the body. Hand or arm strain and/or pain were associated with the arrangement of the mouse and inappropriate height of the desk. Low back stiffness and/or pain were associated with dissatisfaction with the chair and using the keyboard without a wrist rest. Although measures to prevent fatigue had been implemented for VDT workers, risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms would be the same as in previous studies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electromagnetic radiation from VDT units: study of the effectiveness of an active shielding device.

Measurements of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and low frequency magnetic fields emitted by a set of video display terminal (VDT) units are reported. The field values measured at the position normally occupied by the user are below the safety limits. This is because the field amplitudes decrease rapidly (following a 1/R3 law) with the distance from the source, as has been verified in this work. Measurements with a commercial shielding device consisting of small plastic balls filled with a water solution of rare earth elements were also performed. The only physical mechanism that could be hypothesized to produce an active suppression of the VDT field is that rare earth atoms, which probably were chosen due to their large magnetic moment, behave as oscillating magnetic dipoles capable of emitting a secondary magnetic field that, along some particular directions, has a phase that is opposite to that of the exciting field. Unfortunately, if one analyzes this mechanism quantitatively, it is easy to show that the secondary magnetic field is absolutely negligible, as was confirmed by experimental measurements performed in this study.

Computer Terminals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of black current anthocyanoside intake on dark adaptation and VDT work-induced transient refractive alteration in healthy humans.

The effects of oral intake of a black currant anthocyanosides (BCA) concentrate on dark adaptation, video display terminal (VDT) work-induced transient refractive alteration, and subjective asthenopia symptoms (visual fatigue) were examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with healthy human subjects. In a dark adaptation study, intake of BCA at three dose levels (12.5-, 20-, and 50 mg/subject, n = 12) appeared to bring about dose-dependent lowering of the dark adaptation threshold. Statistical analysis comparing the values before and after intake indicated there was a significant difference at the 50 mg dose (p= 0. 011). Comparing the refraction values for the dominant eye, BCA intake (50 mg/subject, n = 21) resulted in no decrease in the average value after the visual task; whereas, a placebo trial resulted in a large decrease in the average value, resulting in borderline significance (p = 0.064). In the assessment of subjective asthenopia symptoms by questionnaire, significant improvement was recognized on the basis of the statements regarding the eye and lower back after BCA intake.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Accommodation microfluctuations and pupil size during sustained viewing of visual display terminals.

Accommodation microfluctuations comprise two dominant frequencies; a low frequency component (LFC < or = 0.6 Hz) and a high frequency component (1.0 Hz < HFC < 2.1 Hz). In the present experiment we examine accommodation microfluctuations and steady-state pupil responses during sustained viewing of visual display terminals (VDTs). Steady-state accommodation and pupil responses were measured continuously and simultaneously using a modified Canon Autoref R-1 infra-red objective optometer and an Hamamatsu C3160 Perceptscope Video Area Analyser. Measurements were obtained at three time intervals (0, 10 and 20 min) during a 20 min reading task presented on five different displays. With the displays placed at 50 cm, the task was to locate and identify typographical errors in one of five sets of standard text. Five young visually-normal emmetropic subjects with a mean age of 22.5 +/- 3.0 years participated in the study. Two-way ANOVA revealed no significant variation in the magnitude of the accommodation microfluctuations with either display or task duration, nor was there any significant interaction between these two factors. There was no significant variation in mean pupil diameter with either display or task duration. These measures may have the potential to provide objective information about visual display quality.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1996

Musculoskeletal symptoms related to video display terminal use: an analysis of objective and subjective exposure estimates.

The occupational use of video display terminals (VDTs) has been associated with the increasing incidence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, often called cumulative trauma disorders. To guide clinical and policy decisions about the prevention and treatment of these VDT related disorders, valid and economic measures of total daily VDT use and VDT related job tasks such as data entry or editing will be important. In this study of newspaper reporters and copy editors (n = 83), VDT use was measured with employee self reports and by sampling the work behaviors of a subsample of employees. Behavioral sampling estimated VDT use as a characteristic of the job as opposed to a characteristic of individual employee performance. Overall, the two techniques of measuring occupational VDT use compared favorably, with the exception that self reported hours of VDT use tended to exceed the hours of use estimated by behavioral observation for employees who were younger and those who reported greater job demands. The findings suggest that behavioral sampling is a valid technique for estimating VDT use as a job characteristic.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Relation of asthenopia and some ophthalmological, neuropsychological, and musculoskeletal parameters in workers assigned to video display terminals].

BACKGROUND: Since the use of video display units (VDU) has become widespread in the workplace, more and more research has been conducted to evaluate the possible onset of adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: We carried out a multidisciplinary investigation on a group of 660 VDU operators working for a service agency, aimed at analysing the relationship between ophthalmological, musculoskeletal and neuropsychological parameters and asthenopia. METHODS: In this study we propose a method for a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the asthenopic syndrome based on data collected with an easy semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: No relationship between asthenopia and refractive alteration was noted, whereas a significant association was observed between a lengthened convergence near point and the average time of daily VDU exposure. A significant relationship was also shown between asthenopia, cervical and lumbar disorders, and neuropsychological symptoms. The method for evaluation of asthenopia and the results of this study suggest useful implications in health surveillance programs. After an appropriate validation procedure, this method could represent a useful screening tool and a valid support for preventive interventions. The use of this instrument in longitudinal studies will also provide the opportunity of verifying the existence of long-term effects due to VDU exposure.

Adult↗