Innovative applications of epidemiology, evidenced based interventions and economic analyses of office related upper extremity disorders

In September 2005 a small working conference was held to generate potential next steps in the generation of innovative approaches to work related upper extremity symptoms and disorders among those working in office environments. This special section of the Journal includes papers written by the presenters and their collaborators. These papers provide “state of the art” summaries of research in the areas of ergonomics, biobehavioral factors and interventions, economics and integrative interventions at the workplace. Invited speakers and participants from various stakeholder groups spent a second day discussing the implications of the research presented on day one for improving the understanding and management of these disorders. Practical considerations for generating new approaches and their implementation were also discussed.This conference was supported by the Office Ergonomics Research Committee.The Annapolis Conference, Annapolis, Maryland, September 23–24th, 2005