ABSTRACT
The panel’s effort to evaluate the scientific basis for a relationship between work factors and musculo-
skeletal disorders of the back and upper extremities required comprehensive reviews of the epidemiologic
literature. For each of the two anatomical regions, reviews of the physical and the psychosocial factors
were undertaken. Referring back to Figure 1.2, the review of the epidemiologic evidence addresses
several components. The workplace factors considered include all three main elements and their relation-
ship to the person. The person is considered in terms of the several outcomes reported in these studies,
while adjusting or stratifying for the individual factors that are relevant.
