Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the epidemiological studies of the association between computer work and carpal tunnel syndrome.

CTS: Carpal tunnel syndrome

NCT: Nerve conduction test

Inclusion criteria

English language, peer-reviewed articles with original data

Study design

   Longitudinal studies

   Cross sectional studies

   Case referent studies

Population

   Should include both an exposed group and a control group

Exposure

   Computer work (keyboard or mouse) or typing should be defined as the exposure

Outcome definition

1. Symptoms (questionnaire or interview or both) of CTS in combination with NCT or

2) Symptoms alone but confirmed by qualitative interview.

Exclusion criteria

Population

   Studies using workers' compensation data

Outcome definition

   Studies where CTS was diagnosed using questionnaire symptoms only, NCT only, or clinical tests as Tinel's and Phalen's tests only