Symptom Based Analysis for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Assembly Line Workers Using ANOVA with Orthogonal Array

Abstract

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a type of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is the most commonly work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) that can lead to temporary as well as permanent disabilities. The CTS is marked by pain and paresthesia. Present study has been conducted on the 60 workers comprising of 46 men (mean age of 34.43 ± 8.40 years, range 18-52 years) and 14 women (mean age of 34.78 ± 9.14 years, range 22-50 years) engaged in Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (E.P.D.M.) assembly unit. Symptoms present are nocturnal pain, numbness, tingling and low hand grip strength. The study has been done in actual industrial environment through health surveillance, Phalen’s and Tinel’s Tests, hand grip strength tester, and weighing machine. The aim of this study is to do analysis to check the susceptibility of CTS symptoms amongst men and women on the basis of repetitive and non repetitive work. The F-Test and ANOVA using orthogonal array have been applied for statistical data analysis in order to quantify and evaluate the importance of possible symptoms on CTS risk factor. Analysis shows that the women workers are more susceptible to CTS symptoms than their male counterparts. It also reveals that grip strength below 35 Kg and high tingling prevalence ratio are the most alarming symptoms for CTS occurrence among workers in E.P.D.M assembly unit.