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Are deficiencies in manual tracking associated with upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders?

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Abstract

Objectives: To examine the reliability of manual tracking performance and its association with impairment and disability in individuals symptomatic of an upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder (CTD). Methods: Volunteer and physician referred subjects (100 control, 140 CTD) tracked a target cursor moving quasi-randomly using a hand-held stylus interfaced with a digitizing tablet. Impairment was physician-rated and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire measured disability. Subsamples of 25 subjects per group were tested on three occasions. Results: Reliability of tracking performance was excellent (ICC ≥ 0.88) and sensitivity was 81%. Performance was superior in controls (p < 0.001) and deteriorated as a function of impairment level (p < 0.001). Tracking and impairment rating explained 65% of the disability score. Conclusions: Tracking performance may be an important outcome for monitoring change over time and the impact of a CTD on function in everyday activities.

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by a grant from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario. We gratefully acknowledge project funding from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Motor Performance Laboratory, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, 31 George Street Queen)s University, Kingston, K7L 3N6, Ontario, Canada

    Brenda Brouwer

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Queen)s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Matthew Faris

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  1. Brenda Brouwer
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  2. Matthew Faris
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Correspondence to Brenda Brouwer.

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Brouwer, B., Faris, M. Are deficiencies in manual tracking associated with upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders?. J Occup Rehabil 17, 63–72 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-006-9038-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-006-9038-z

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