The effect of a workstation chair and computer screen height adjustment on neck and upper back musculoskeletal pain and sitting comfort in office workers
Date
2015-11-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Aims: To assess the effect of a vertical height adjustment of the chair and visual display unit (VDU) on work-related upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain (WRUQMP) and sitting comfort
in office workers. The upper quadrant refers to the occiput, cervical and upper thoracic spine, including the clavicles and scapulae.
Methods: A single subject (N = 1) study, in which the subject serves as her own control, was conducted using the ABC design. An ergonomic workstation adjustment of VDU and chair height was compared to the subject’s usual workstation settings. Pain and sitting comfort was
measured using visual analogue scales (VAS). The subject was assessed over three four-week phases as she performed her typical VDU work. The results were compiled and tabulated.
Results: Both the mean and variance in pain intensity decreased after the workstation intervention. A deterioration in sitting comfort was noted.
Conclusion: The vertical height adjustment of the chair and visual display unit may have contributed to a decrease in work-related upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain in this subject. This safe, economical workstation intervention may be a practical management option for
the computer user suffering from work-related upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain. Further research into the measurement of comfort whilst sitting at a computer workstation is
recommended.
Description
CITATION: Van Vledder, N. & Louw, Q. 2015. The effect of a workstation chair and computer screen height adjustment on neck and upper back musculoskeletal pain and sitting comfort in office workers. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 71(1), Art.#279, doi:10.4102/sajp.v71i1.279.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajp.co.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajp.co.za
Keywords
Musculoskeletal system -- Wounds and injuries, Computer users, Microcomputer workstations -- Physiological effect
Citation
Van Vledder, N. & Louw, Q. 2015. The effect of a workstation chair and computer screen height adjustment on neck and upper back musculoskeletal pain and sitting comfort in office workers. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 71(1), Art.#279, doi:10.4102/sajp.v71i1.279.