A Study of the Physical Effects of Intensive Computer Use

Author

Jeaneane M. Oelke, Fontbonne College

Year of Award

1991

Degree

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

College

College of Business & Professional Studies

Degree Program

Business

Department

Business Administration

Keywords

carpal tunnel, processing, eye strain, stress, neck pain, work station, ergonomic

Abstract

This paper studies the physical and emotional impact of the computer on the computer operator. Since computers were born in the middle 1940’s, they have slowly become a part of everyone's life. At one time, computers were primarily used to build and control our nation's spaceships. Now computers have found their way into businesses, classrooms and homes. It is a rare company that does not have at least one microcomputer. There are forty million computer users in the United States today, and that number is expected to increase to 100 million by the year 2000.

The computer’s enormous capacity for information processing offers us more control over our lives, greater freedom of choice, and the opportunity for richer interactions with one another and the world around us. It is important to remember that computers cannot perform the numerous tasks they do without human management. Humans pay a price for that intervention. Long hours in front of the computer terminal has many adverse effects on the user. They complain of back and neck pain, wrist pain, eye strain and emotional stress. We need to find a way to cope with this new technology.

My thesis will discuss these physical and emotional problems the user may encounter:

1. Musculo-skeletal ailments

2. Vision problems

3. Radiation dangers

4. Stress

5. Work station environment

Part two of the paper will cover things users can do to make themselves more comfortable.

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Recommended Citation

Oelke, Jeaneane M., "A Study of the Physical Effects of Intensive Computer Use" (1991). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 389.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/389