Stopping injury before it starts: blood test warns of repetitive stress.(Medical condition overview)(Brief article)

Industrial Engineer, May, 2007

For the first time, scientists have found early indicators of inflammation that could serve as a warning of work-related repetitive motion injuries.

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A new study by Temple University researchers found that the human immune system produces biomarkers--different kinds of chemicals--as the body begins to become injured by repetitive motions. These biomarkers can be revealed with a blood test.

"While not a diagnostic test because the biomarkers could also indicate another type of injury, they do provide a red flag where before there was none," said researcher Ann Barr, associate professor of physical therapy at Temple.

Currently, repetitive motion injuries can be diagnosed only based on physical examination and...