Association between work period and the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in bankers

Abstract

Background: Improper computer use without regard for occupational safety and health can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), including severe conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This study aimed to identify further the association between work period and the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in bank employees.

Methods: The study used a literature review design using secondary data from relevant study articles regarding the association between work periods and the incidence of CTS. Journals were searched in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using keywords such as “tenure,” “risk factor,” “work period,” “years of service,” “work,” “computer,” and “carpal tunnel syndrome,” with Boolean operators “OR” and “AND” to refine the search. Articles from the search results were screened, and six relevant articles were selected. The study included international and national peer-reviewed articles that examined the relationship between work period (tenure) and the incidence of CTS. The exclusion criteria were articles that focused on non-occupational causes of CTS, lacked full-text access, or consisted of reviews, commentaries, editorials, or conference abstracts without original research data.

Results: A significant association was found, with the risk increasing for employees working more than 3 to 5 years. Workers with over 5 years of experience had up to an 8-fold higher likelihood of developing CTS, while those with four or more years faced a 2 to 18 times greater risk.

Conclusion: This study’s findings indicate a significant association between the work period and the incidence of CTS in bank employees.