Date Presented 04/05/19
The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of office ergonomic education and assessment on musculoskeletal discomfort and workstation configuration. Significant (p < .05) improvements for the pre- and posttest assessments for office workstation configuration and reported musculoskeletal discomfort were found. Office ergonomic assessment along with education may impact better office workstation configuration and decrease musculoskeletal discomfort.
Primary Author and Speaker: Jeff Snodgrass
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of office ergonomic education and assessment on musculoskeletal discomfort and office workstation configuration.
METHODS: In a quasi-experimental design, 24 participants were administered a pre-test assessment including the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and an OSHA office ergonomics checklist. This pre-test assessment was followed by a one hour group education session. Approximately three months after the education session, participants completed post-test assessments to determine if any changes in office workstation configuration and musculoskeletal discomfort had occurred.
RESULTS: Paired-samples t-tests revealed statistically significant (p < .05) improvement for the pre- and post-test assessments for office workstation configuration in the areas of working postures, keyboard, monitor and input device positioning on the OSHA checklist. Paired sample t-tests also revealed statistically significant improvement (p = .05) for pre- and post-test musculoskeletal discomfort as measured by the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire.
CONCLUSIONS: Office ergonomic assessment along with education may impact better office workstation configuration and decrease musculoskeletal discomfort.
References
Snodgrass, J., & Amini, D. (2017). Occupational therapy guidelines for adults with musculoskeletal conditions. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press. https://doi.org/10.7139/2017.978-1-56900-439-5
Dutta, N., Walton, T., & Pereira, M.A. (2015). Experience of switching from a traditional sitting workstation to a sit-stand workstation in sedentary office workers. Work, 52(1), 83-89. doi:10.3233/WORK-141941
