The effects of psychosocial factors on trapezius muscle activity levels during computer use

The goal of the present study, a part of the PROOF (Predicting Occupational biomechanics among OFfice workers) study, was to determine if there was a relationship between psychosocial stress, measured by reward and over-commitment, and trapezius muscle activity while workers performed their own computer work in the field. We observed that workers reporting higher levels of over-commitment and lower reward also experienced approximately 40% higher median trapeizus muscle activity levels than workers reporting lower levels of over-commitment and lower reward (change from 3.5% MVC to 6% MVC), with no difference in muscle activity for workers reporting high reward and either low or high over-commitment. Workers reporting higher levels of over-commitment experienced more variability in trapezius muscle activity. The results of this study may be used to inform interventions targeting reduction of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers.