Effects of workstation adjustment to reduce postural exposure and perceived discomfort among office workers - A cluster randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of workstation adjustment to reduce postural exposure and perceived discomfort among office workers in a cluster randomized controlled trial. Experimental (EG, n = 31) and control groups (CG, n = 30) were compared before (pre-intervention), immediately (post-intervention), and 3 months after (follow up) the intervention. EG received workstation adjustments and CG did not received the intervention. Postural exposure of head, upper back and upper arms was objectively measured by inclinometers. Overall level of perceived discomfort for the whole body was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (0-100 mm). EG showed a statistically significant reduction on the head (pre: 10.1 degrees, SD 5.7 degrees; post: 6.6 degrees, SD 4.7 degrees) and upper back flexion (pre: 15.4 degrees, SD 10.7 degrees; post: 10.4 degrees, SD 8.4 degrees) from pre to post-intervention. EG also showed a statistically significant reduction from pre (50.T, SD 9.5 degrees) to post-intervention (42.1 degrees, SD 7.6 degrees) and from pre to follow up (41.6 degrees, SD 6.5 degrees) on upper arm elevation. CG did not show any difference between evaluations. Perceived discomfort increased 7.2 (SD 2.0) mm in CG and decreased 22.1 (SD 2.2) mm in EG between pre and post intervention. The variation between pre intervention and follow up was 4.5 (SD 1.2) mm increase for the CG and 24.1 (SD 1.5) mm of reduction for the EG (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference for the post intervention and follow up for both groups (P > 0.05). The results show evidence of the workstation adjustment to reduce postural exposure and perceived discomfort among office workers.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of workstation adjustment on postural exposure and perceived discomfort among office workers. The experimental group received workstation adjustments, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The results showed that the experimental group had a significant reduction in head and upper back flexion, as well as upper arm elevation. The control group showed no difference in evaluations. In terms of perceived discomfort, the experimental group had a significant decrease after intervention and follow-up, while the control group had an increase.