Open AccessA Case of Cervico‐brachial Disorder due to Tactile Interpretation for Deaf‐blind Persons
Author(s) -
Kitahara Teruyo,
Nakamura Kenji,
Taoda Kazushi,
Shigeta Hiromasa,
Hirata Mamoru
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.12-0141-cs
Subject(s) - medicine , shoulders , sign language , interpretation (philosophy) , interpreter , occupational safety and health , psychology , family medicine , surgery , linguistics , computer science , pathology , programming language , philosophy
A Case of Cervico‐brachial Disorder due to Tactile Interpretation for Deaf‐blind Persons: Teruyo KITAHARA, et al . Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Social Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science—Objectives We herein report a case of cervico‐brachial disorder (CBD) due to long‐term tactile interpreting. Methods The patient was interviewed to investigate her past history, occupational history, work conditions and clinical course in detail. The case was diagnosed in accordance with the “Diagnostic Criteria for CBD 2007” established by the Research Association for CBD of the Japanese Society for Occupational Health. Results The patient was a 49‐year‐old female who has worked as a regular occupational instructor at a welfare work activity center for deaf people since April 22, 2010. Her primary job is to instruct and aid others in learning confectionery manufacturing and coffee shop tasks. She also performs tactile interpreting for two deaf‐blind workers during a morning health check and during any meetings. On September 3, 2010, she interpreted by tactile signing for about three hours alone during a meeting, due to the absence of other interpreters. She developed severe pain in her back immediately after carrying out this interpretation, and the pain thereafter continued and developed in the upper extremities. She was diagnosed with a severe and prolonged case of the non‐specific type of CBD. Discussion Interpretation by tactile signing may impose a heavier burden on the upper extremities, shoulders and neck than that imposed by common sign language. A shorter time of interpretation, ensuring the availability of rest time and supporting tools or methods for the upper extremities, are therefore considered to be necessary to prevent the incidence of CBD among interpreters using tactile signing.