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El Braidy P1, Abdel Nour N1, Daaboul M1, Abiad L1, Boutros P1, Daccache A1
1Saint Joseph University, Physicaltherapy, Beirut, Lebanon
Background: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among persons with frequent computer use (3-5 h a day) ranges over 70 % of university staff and students. Ergonomic interventions generally include both ergonomic adjustments to the workstation to tailor the physical conditions to the worker's physiology and working patterns as well as educational components about correct sitting posture. The video and other methods such as still photography (photo-training intervention) enhance the visualization of the work process, aiding in behavioral change.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the photo-training intervention with a conventional office ergonomic intervention group and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing musculoskeletal risk over time.
Methods: 43 workers were randomly assigned to either: 1) an office training group that received personal, ergonomic training and workstation adjustments or 2) a photo-training group that received ergonomic training, workstation adjustments and a photo, displayed on the computer screen every 30 min, of the worker's sitting posture together with their normal work-time posture without any intervention and the correct posture photo taken earlier during office training. Musculoskeletal risk was evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and the workers global musculoskeletal discomfort by using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the 3 weeks intervention. Repeated measure analysis of variance followed by univariate analysis was used to compare mean RULA score between experimental and cortisol groups within time. Mann Whitney tests and Wilcoxon were used to compare VAS pain score between groups and within time respectively.
Results: Before the intervention there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. After intervention, at the cervical level both groups showed a significant improvement in their musculoskeletal discomfort with a significant higher comfort in the photo-training group (39.1% ±14.6 ) than that of the office training group (12.2% ± 9.8) (P-value=0.007).
At the lumbar level, both groups showed a significant improvement in their musculoskeletal discomfort with a significant higher comfort in the photo-training group (41.5% ±14.7) than that of the office training group (13.9% ± 10.3) (P-value=0.006).
At the shoulder level, the mean score significantly decreased by 35% (P-value=0.005) in the photo-training group. While the score did not significantly change at the office training group (P-value=0.063).
After intervention, the RULA score showed a significant improvement in both groups with a significant higher result in the photo-training group (37%) than that of the office training group (19.6%) (P˂0.001).
Conclusion(s): A displayed photo on the computer screen is effective for improving sitting posture of workers at computer work stations. It can be used in addition to the conventional office ergonomic intervention which combines specialized ergonomic training and workstation adjustments.
Implications: These conclusions have direct implications for many office workers in industry and services. It is recommended that this visual feedback would be installed on the workers computer to provide a frequent and long-term feedback. This should be implemented in addition to the conventional office ergonomic intervention by the physicaltherapists.
Keywords: Ergonomics, Visual feedback, Postural control
Funding acknowledgements: None.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the photo-training intervention with a conventional office ergonomic intervention group and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing musculoskeletal risk over time.
Methods: 43 workers were randomly assigned to either: 1) an office training group that received personal, ergonomic training and workstation adjustments or 2) a photo-training group that received ergonomic training, workstation adjustments and a photo, displayed on the computer screen every 30 min, of the worker's sitting posture together with their normal work-time posture without any intervention and the correct posture photo taken earlier during office training. Musculoskeletal risk was evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and the workers global musculoskeletal discomfort by using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the 3 weeks intervention. Repeated measure analysis of variance followed by univariate analysis was used to compare mean RULA score between experimental and cortisol groups within time. Mann Whitney tests and Wilcoxon were used to compare VAS pain score between groups and within time respectively.
Results: Before the intervention there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. After intervention, at the cervical level both groups showed a significant improvement in their musculoskeletal discomfort with a significant higher comfort in the photo-training group (39.1% ±14.6 ) than that of the office training group (12.2% ± 9.8) (P-value=0.007).
At the lumbar level, both groups showed a significant improvement in their musculoskeletal discomfort with a significant higher comfort in the photo-training group (41.5% ±14.7) than that of the office training group (13.9% ± 10.3) (P-value=0.006).
At the shoulder level, the mean score significantly decreased by 35% (P-value=0.005) in the photo-training group. While the score did not significantly change at the office training group (P-value=0.063).
After intervention, the RULA score showed a significant improvement in both groups with a significant higher result in the photo-training group (37%) than that of the office training group (19.6%) (P˂0.001).
Conclusion(s): A displayed photo on the computer screen is effective for improving sitting posture of workers at computer work stations. It can be used in addition to the conventional office ergonomic intervention which combines specialized ergonomic training and workstation adjustments.
Implications: These conclusions have direct implications for many office workers in industry and services. It is recommended that this visual feedback would be installed on the workers computer to provide a frequent and long-term feedback. This should be implemented in addition to the conventional office ergonomic intervention by the physicaltherapists.
Keywords: Ergonomics, Visual feedback, Postural control
Funding acknowledgements: None.
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Physicaltherapy
Ethics committee: saint joseph university
Ethics number: USJ-2016-121
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
