Wrist Ailment Forces Student to Withdraw

Imagine attending class at Harvard but not being able to type, turn the pages of a book, take notes or even hold a telephone.

Such was daily life for Sofia I. Echegaray '97-'98, who suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a muscular disease which afflicts one's wrists and renders even the most basic acts painful.

And, Echegaray said, her ailment may have been exacerbated by conditions in the Science Center.

Echegaray, who first developed CTS symptoms last spring, withdrew from school after the fall term because she was having extreme trouble completing her coursework.

The Adams House sophomore said she was so badly injured that she couldn't even hold a book.

"I was almost completely debilitated from the beginning of December on and I'm still not particularly great," Echegaray said in a phone interview from her home in Houston, Texas.

Echegaray said she approached the Administrative Board to explain her ailment and request a lighter class load this semester.

But, Echegaray said, the committee told her that she could not register for classes this semester because she had outstanding work in more than two previous courses.

Unable to complete a full class schedule and prevented by the Administrative Board from enrolling in a partial schedule, Echegaray withdrew from Harvard this semester and moved home.

"My other roommate and I packed all of [Echegaray's] possessions," said one of her roommates, Helen E. French '98. "We moved out for her. She couldn't really pack."

CTS falls under the category of afflictions known as "Repetitive Strain Injuries," according to literature provided by University Health Services (UHS).

Repetitive strain injuries are caused by engaging in repeated tasks (such as typing), using awkward or fixed postures and failing to schedule sufficient rest time during such activities.

Echegaray said she first experienced symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome last year as a student in Computer Science 50.

Echegaray said she would regularly spend 20 hours per week in front of terminals in the computer lab in the Science Center.

Problems in the Science Center

Echergay blamed "bad keyboards" in the Science Center--where she reg- ularly worked--for her affliction, which "flared up again this [past] semester with renewed vigor."

Many students said Harvard should take further steps to protect their students.

"They could have better chairs" in the computer lab in the basement of the Science Center, said Harry B. Cargman '97.

Jeff H. Chuang '96 said that if Harvard wanted to prevent the problem "they should get us wrist rests."

Adrienne R. Landau, an employee at UHS Office of Health Education, said many resources are made available for students who experience symptoms of repetitive stress injuries.

The Center for Health Education provides information on repetitive stress injuries as does Environmental Health and Safety, according to Landau.

Landau said while many students enrolled in computer science classes develop repetitive strain injuries, the entire University population is at risk.

"People in academia for any length of time writing anything or doing anything on a computer need to take precautions now," she said.

Precautions include sitting with one's shoulder's relaxed, forearms in a straight line with the terminal and feet flat on the floor. The top of the computer screen should be slightly below eye level, and one's chair should provide proper lower back support, according to Landau.

Cargman said some computer science majors have purchased devices to guard against CTS.

"Some people are a little worried...and they go to extremes," Cargman said. "Some people bring roller blade wrist bands."

Assistant Computer Science Professor Margo I. Seltzer '83, who experienced a bout of CTS three weeks before she turned in her dissertation, stressed the importance of precautionary measures.

"I have been a strong advocate for the past several years of making sure that our labs and offices are equipped with desks and chairs that provide the best possible environment for people working at computers," Seltzer said in an e-mail message yesterday

Many students said Harvard should take further steps to protect their students.

"They could have better chairs" in the computer lab in the basement of the Science Center, said Harry B. Cargman '97.

Jeff H. Chuang '96 said that if Harvard wanted to prevent the problem "they should get us wrist rests."

Adrienne R. Landau, an employee at UHS Office of Health Education, said many resources are made available for students who experience symptoms of repetitive stress injuries.

The Center for Health Education provides information on repetitive stress injuries as does Environmental Health and Safety, according to Landau.

Landau said while many students enrolled in computer science classes develop repetitive strain injuries, the entire University population is at risk.

"People in academia for any length of time writing anything or doing anything on a computer need to take precautions now," she said.

Precautions include sitting with one's shoulder's relaxed, forearms in a straight line with the terminal and feet flat on the floor. The top of the computer screen should be slightly below eye level, and one's chair should provide proper lower back support, according to Landau.

Cargman said some computer science majors have purchased devices to guard against CTS.

"Some people are a little worried...and they go to extremes," Cargman said. "Some people bring roller blade wrist bands."

Assistant Computer Science Professor Margo I. Seltzer '83, who experienced a bout of CTS three weeks before she turned in her dissertation, stressed the importance of precautionary measures.

"I have been a strong advocate for the past several years of making sure that our labs and offices are equipped with desks and chairs that provide the best possible environment for people working at computers," Seltzer said in an e-mail message yesterday