http://www.rxpgnews.com/ Medical News and Information Thu, 25 Oct 2007 07:48:36 PST en-us http://www.rxpgnews.com/occupationalhealth/Forearm_supports_reduce_upper_body_pain_linked_to__4080_4080.shtml Occupational Health Providing forearm support is an effective intervention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body and aids in reducing upper body pain associated with computer work, according to a study in The British Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Reported in the April 18 issue, the study shows that use of large arm boards significantly reduces neck and shoulder pain as well as hand, wrist and forearm pain. "Based on these outcomes, employers should consider providing employees who use computers with appropriate forearm support," said lead author David Rempel, MD, MPH, director of the ergonomics program at San Francisco General Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Study findings also show arm boards and ergonomics training provide the most protective effect, with a statistically significant reduction in both neck and shoulder pain and right hand/wrist/forearm pain in comparison to the control group, who did not receive forearm support. The boards reduced the risk of incidence of neck and shoulder disorders by nearly half. Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:47:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/occupationalhealth/Forearm_supports_reduce_upper_body_pain_linked_to__4080_4080.shtml