How useful is the term ``Cumulative Trauma Disorder''?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nancy A. Baker,

Affiliations: Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston, MA, USA

Abstract: Cumulative trauma disorder is a widely accepted construct that refers to illnesses of the soft tissues which supposedly occur due to biomechanical workplace risk factors. However, is the term ``cumulative trauma disorder'' a useful term for describing the illness attributed to it? This paper will scrutinize this question by specifying the meaning of ``cumulative trauma disorder'' and examining this construct to see if the belief in it is justified, and if this belief is leading to the elucidation of the phenomenon it is purporting to notate. Anomalous findings will be identified and used to help evaluate the accuracy of the belief system currently surrounding the term. Finally the ability of the construct ``cumulative trauma disorder'' to provide an adequate foundation for research in this area will be explored. A model of alternate pathomechanisms for this illness is advanced to provide a method of studying the disorders associated with the term.

Keywords: CTD, repetitive strain injury (RSI), work related musculoskeletal discomfort (WSMD), theory testing

Journal: Work, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 97-105, 1999