A randomised controlled trial of postural interventions for prevention of musculoskeletal symptoms among computer users The Effect of an Ergonomie Intervention on Musculoskeletal, Psychosocial and Visual Strain of VDT Data Entry Work: The Norwegian Part of the International Study The Effect of an Ergonomic Intervention on Musculoskeletal, Psychosocial and Visual Strain of VDT Data Entry Work: The United States Part of the International Study The Effect of an Ergonomic Intervention on Musculoskeletal, Psychosocial and Visual Strain of VDT Data Entry Work: The Polish Part of the International Study Office ergonomics training and a sit-stand workstation: effects on musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and performance of office workers. The effectiveness of a training method using self-modeling webcam photos for reducing musculoskeletal risk among office workers using computers. Effectiveness of workplace interventions in rehabilitating musculoskeletal disorders and preventing its consequences among workers with physical and sedentary employment: systematic review protocol Evaluation of ‘I-Preventive’: a digital preventive tool for musculoskeletal disorders in computer workers—a pilot cluster randomised trial The Effect of an Ergonomic Intervention on Musculoskeletal, Psychosocial and Visual Strain of VDT Entry Work: Organization and Methodology of the International Study Effects of participatory ergonomic intervention on the development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and disability in office employees using a computer Musculoskeletal, visual and psychosocial stress in VDU operators before and after multidisciplinary ergonomic interventions. A 6 years prospective study--Part II. The Effects of Office Ergonomic Training on Musculoskeletal Complaints, Sickness Absence, and Psychological Well-Being Reducing musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators: comparison between ergonomics interventions at the workplace Comparisons of Musculoskeletal Complaints and Data Entry Between a Sitting and a Sit-Stand Workstation Paradigm Evaluation of sit-stand workstations in an office setting: a randomised controlled trial Effects of ergonomic intervention on work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among computer workers: a randomized controlled trial Musculoskeletal, visual and psychosocial stress in VDU operators before and after multidisciplinary ergonomic interventions.
Aims : To examine the effect of two workstation and postural interventions on the incidence of  musculoskeletal symptoms among computer users . Methods : R and omised controlled trial of two distinct workstation and postural interventions ( an alternate intervention and a conventional intervention ) among 376 persons using computer keyboards for more than 15 hours per week . The incidence of neck/shoulder symptoms and h and /arm symptoms during six months of follow up among individuals in the intervention groups was compared to the incidence in computer users who did not receive an intervention ( comparison group ) . For individuals in the intervention groups , study staff adjusted workstations , where possible , and trained individuals to assume the intervention postures . Individuals reported musculoskeletal symptoms in a weekly diary . Participants who reported discomfort intensity of 6 or greater on a 0–10 visual analogue scale or who reported musculoskeletal symptoms requiring use of analgesic medication were considered symptomatic . Results : There were no significant differences in the incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the three intervention groups . Twenty two ( 18.5 % ) participants in the alternate intervention group , 25 ( 20.2 % ) in the conventional intervention group , and 25 ( 21.7 % ) in the comparison group developed incident arm or h and symptoms . Thirty eight ( 33.3 % ) participants in the alternate intervention group , 36 ( 31.0 % ) in the conventional intervention group , and 33 ( 30.3 % ) in the comparison group developed incident neck or shoulder symptoms . Compliance with all components of the intervention was attained for only 25–38 % of individuals , due mainly to the inflexibility of workstation configurations . Conclusions : This study provides evidence that two specific workplace postural interventions are unlikely to reduce the risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among computer users The Norwegian MEPS ( musculoskeletal — eyestrain — psychosocial — stress ) study included 3 groups : data entry , data dialogue ( female ) and data dialogue  ( male ) . Before intervention , the data entry group reported significantly more symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal illness and had longer periods in front of the video display terminal ( VDT ) without a break . The ergonomic intervention consisted mainly of ergonomic information and training . After intervention , the data dialogue female group reported a significant reduction in shoulder pain in parallel with a reduction in trapezius load . Increasing the underst and ing in how to adjust the work st and and chair may have been contributing factors to reducing the pain level . There was a significant reduction in eye problems in all groups ; the greatest reduction in eye symptoms was seen in the groups who had new optometric corrections The United States MEPS ( musculoskeletal — eyestrain — psychosocial — stress ) study consisted of 1 group of 28 female data entry operators . The intervention was in 3 parts : workstation re design ( including advanced ergonomic chairs , motorized adjustable workstations , advanced adjustable keyboards , adjustable copyholders , adjustable footrests , monitor support surfaces ) and ergonomic training/coaching and corrective lenses . After the intervention , statistically significant reductions in physical signs ( trigger points , neck and shoulder mobility ) , subjective reports of intensity and frequency of musculoskeletal pain , and subjective reports of visual problems were observed . Static load during the work sample , as assessed by experts , improved after the intervention as did measured postural angles of head and trunk and subjective assessment of users of ergonomic characteristics of the workplaces . For all of these measures , improvements observed 1 month after intervention were also observed in the 1-year follow-up . Trapezius load , as assessed by electromyography ( EMG ) , decreased after intervention , but then increased in the follow-up . The increase was interpreted as a calibration problem A group of routine data entry operators ( female ) was included in the Polish MEPS ( musculoskeletal — eyestrain— psychosocial — stress ) study . Before the intervention , ergonomic assessment revealed improper working conditions such as inadequate lighting , uncomfortable chairs , and lack of forearm and wrist support while medical examination revealed that trapezius muscle load along with upper arm , head and back angles were higher than advisable . Subjects complained about neck and shoulder pain , visual problems , and psychosocial conditions . The ergonomic intervention included installation of new luminaires and Venetian blinds , new chairs , repair of ventilators , and optometric corrections . The results after the intervention showed mainly improvement in chair comfort , lighting conditions , visual strain , and sitting posture . However , financial limitations did not allow satisfactory completion of the intervention leading to a mixed interpretation of the results Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ( WMSDs ) among office workers with intensive computer use is widespread and the prevalence of symptoms is growing . This r and omized controlled trial investigated the effects of an office ergonomics training combined with a sit-st and workstation on musculoskeletal and visual discomfort , behaviors and performance .  Participants performed a lab-based customer service job for 8 h per day , over 15 days and were assigned to :  Ergonomics Trained ( n = 11 ) or Minimally Trained ( n = 11 ) . The training consisted of : a 1.5-h interactive instruction , a sit/st and practice period , and ergonomic reminders . Ergonomics Trained participants experienced minimal musculoskeletal and visual discomfort across the 15 days , varied their postures , with significantly higher performance compared to the Minimally Trained group who had a significantly higher number of symptoms , suggesting that training plays a critical role . The ability to mitigate symptoms , change behaviors and enhance performance through training combined with a sit-st and workstation has implication s for preventing discomforts in office workers An intervention study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of an innovative self-modeling photo-training method for reducing musculoskeletal risk among office workers using computers . Sixty workers were r and omly assigned to either : 1 ) a control group ; 2 ) an office training group that received personal , ergonomic training and workstation adjustments or 3 ) a photo-training group that received both office training and an automatic frequent-feedback system that displayed on the computer screen a photo of the worker 's current sitting posture together with the correct posture photo taken earlier during office training . Musculoskeletal risk was evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment ( RULA ) method before , during and after the six weeks intervention . Both training methods provided effective short-term posture improvement ; however , sustained improvement was only attained with the photo-training method . Both interventions had a greater effect on older workers and on workers suffering more musculoskeletal pain . The photo-training method had a greater positive effect on women than on men Background Musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) are the leading cause of work disability and sickness absence worldwide . The prevalence of MSDs increases with age , consequently challenging sustainable employability among the growing ageing workforce . Knowledge of feasible and efficient workplace-based interventions to rehabilitate MSD or prevent its consequences is therefore warranted . This systematic review will evaluate the effectiveness of workplace-based interventions on MSDs and its consequences among adult workers with physical and sedentary work tasks , respectively . Methods We will search the following bibliographic data bases : PubMed ( including the data base ‘ MEDLINE ’ ) and Web of Science Core Collection ( including the data bases ‘ Science Citation Index Exp and ed ’ , ‘ Social Sciences Citation Index ’ and ‘ Arts & Humanities Citation Index ’ ) . Manual search es will also be performed . We will include r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) and non- RCTs reported in English in which ( 1 ) participants are adult workers with MSD , ( 2 ) interventions are aim ing at rehabilitating pain symptoms of MSD or preventing the consequences of MSD and ( 3 ) interventions are initiated and /or carried out at the workplace . The review will adhere to the ‘ Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review s and Meta-Analyses ’ ( PRISMA ) guidelines for reporting systematic review s and the Institute for Work and Health ( IWH ) guidelines for workplace-based interventions . For the primary evaluation of the review , the quality assessment and evidence synthesis will conform to the IWH guidelines . Secondary evaluation will include a meta- analysis ( unless the included studies do not allow this due to heterogeneity ) and employ the risk of bias domains recommended by Cochrane along with the Grading of Recommendations , Assessment , Development and Evaluations ( GRADE ) approach on the studies with pain intensity as an outcome . Discussion This systematic review will provide knowledge on effective workplace-based interventions among physical and sedentary workers with MSD . RCTs are considered the most powerful experimental design in clinical trials , but solely including these may be too restrictive to underst and effective workplace-based interventions where r and omised and carefully controlled trials ( RCTs ) are not always possible . In order to maximize practical relevance , the selection process will , therefore , include both RCTs and non- RCTs and the quality assessment and evidence synthesis will conform to IWH guidelines focusing on developing practical guidelines for stakeholders . The result of this work will form the basis for industry-specific evidence -based recommendations on effective workplace-based interventions for rehabilitation of MSDs and its consequences that will later be operationalised into concrete and user-friendly practical tools for workplaces . Systematic review registration International Prospect i ve Register of Systematic Review s ( PROSPERO ) number CRD42018116752 Objectives I-Preventive is a digital preventive tool for musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) in computer workers . We sought to determine its impact on pain in computer workers with upper limb MSDs and visual discomfort . Methods We conducted a pilot cluster r and omised trial in 2 different sites of a tyre factory in France . We r and omised 200 employees to either an  intervention group ( I-Preventive ) or control group  , each comprising symptomatic and asymptomatic employees . The workers were followed up for 5 months . The main outcome was overall recovery from symptoms following 1 month 's intervention based on Nordic-style and eyestrain question naires . Results We included 185/200 workers : 96 in the intervention group ( mean age 41.8±1.4 years ; 88.5 % males ) and 79 in the control group ( mean age 42.9±12.0 years ; 94.5 % males ) . The most painful areas ( numerical scale ≥2 ) were the neck ( 40.0 % ) , upper back ( 18.8 % ) and shoulders ( 15.7 % ) . For the most painful anatomical area , the Nordic score significantly decreased after 1 month in the intervention group ( p=0.038 ) ; no change was observed in the control group ( p=0.59 ) . After 1 month 's use , the intervention group reported less pain in the painful area and less visual discomfort symptoms ( p=0.02 ) . Adherence to the I-Preventive program was 60 % . Conclusions I-Preventive is effective in the short term on musculoskeletal symptoms and visual discomfort by promoting active breaks and eyestrain treatment . This easy-to-use digital tool allows each worker to focus on areas of their choice via personalised , easy exercises that can be performed in the workplace . Trial registration number NCT02350244 ; Pre- results This special issue of the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics ( JOSE ) reports the results from an extensive multinational and multidisciplinary collaborative investigation of the impacts on  visual display terminal ( VDT ) work  of musculoskeletal , visual , ergonomic , and psychosocial factors . For brevity , this effort has been referred to as the MEPS project ( musculoskeletal — eyestrain — psychosocial — stress ) . This paper lays out the basic method ological structure of the study . The study was conducted in 4 countries utilizing VDT data entry workers as the primary subject population . A battery of objective and subject assessment measures , including muscle load , visual function , physical and visual strain , postural , ergonomic and psychosocial factors , were assessed at 3 different points in time . A pre-test was given prior to an ergonomic intervention . Two post-tests were given 1 month and 1 year after the ergonomic intervention Objective : To evaluate the participatory ergonomic method on the development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and disability in office employees . Methods : This study is a r and omized controlled intervention study . It comprised 116 office workers using computers . Those in the intervention group were taught office ergonomics and the risk assessment method . Cox proportional hazards model and generalized estimating equations ( GEEs ) were used . Results : In the 10-month postintervention follow-up , the possibility of developing symptoms was 50.9 % . According to multivariate analysis results , the possibility of developing symptoms on the right side of the neck and in the right wrist and h and was significantly less in the intervention group than in the control group ( p<0.05 ) . Neck disability/symptom scores over time were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group ( p<0.05 ) . Conclusion : The participatory ergonomic intervention decreases the possibility of musculoskeletal complaints and disability/symptom level in office workers A prospect i ve epidemiological field study covering a 2 years period has earlier been published . The study has a parallel group design with two intervention groups ( T and S ) and one  control group ( C ) of Visual Display Unit ( VDU ) operators . The present paper covers the period from 2 to 6 years of the study . After 3.5 years , the C group got the same intervention in terms of new lighting system , new workplaces and at last an optometric examination and corrections if needed . The C group reported a significant reduction in visual discomfort after interventions while the two groups ( T and S ) continued to report significant reduction of visual discomfort after 6 years . By supporting the forearm on the table top , the C group reported significant reduction of shoulder and neck pain while the T group reported significant reduction in shoulder and back pain after 6 years . Organizational and psychosocial factors at work and outside work did not show any significant changes during the study period This study explored whether  musculoskeletal complaints can be reduced by the provision of ergonomics education . A cluster r and omized controlled trial study was conducted in which 3 units were r and omized to intervention and received training and 3 units were given a leaflet . The effect of intervention on knowledge , workstation practice s , musculoskeletal complaints , sickness absence , and psychological well-being were assessed at 6 and 12 months . Although there was no increment of knowledge among workers , significant improvements in workstation practice s in the use of monitor , keyboard , and chair were observed . There were significant reductions in neck and upper and lower back complaints among workers but these did not translate into fewer days lost from work . Workers ’ stress was found to be significantly reduced across the studies . In conclusion , office ergonomics training can be beneficial in reducing musculoskeletal risks and stress among workers Typing is associated with musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) caused by multiple risk factors . This control study aim ed to evaluate the efficacy of a workplace intervention for reducing  MSDs among computer workers . Sixty-six subjects with and without MSD were assigned consecutively to one of three groups : ergonomics intervention ( work site and body posture adjustments , muscle activity training and exercises ) accompanied with biofeedback training , the same ergonomics intervention without biofeedback and a control group . Evaluation of MSDs , body posture , psychosocial status , upper extremity ( UE ) kinematics and muscle surface electromyography were carried out before and after the intervention in the workplace and the motion lab . Our main hypothesis that significant differences in the reduction of MSDs will exist between subjects in the study groups and controls was confirmed ( χ2 = 13.3 ; p = 0.001 ) . Significant changes were found in UE kinematics and posture as well . Both ergonomics interventions effectively reduced MSD and improved body posture . Practitioner Summary : This study aim ed to test the efficacy of an individual workplace intervention programme among computer workers by evaluating musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) , body posture , upper extremity kinematics , muscle activity and psychosocial factors were tested . The proposed ergonomics interventions effectively reduced MSDs and improved body posture Background : Seated working positions are often regarded as a cause for discomfort in the musculoskeletal system . Performing work in different working positions — that is , alternating between sitting and st and ing ( sit-st and workstation paradigm)—could help reduce physical complaints . Objective : The questions were whether performing office work partly in a st and ing position leads to reduced complaints and whether st and ing would change the efficiency of data entry office work . Method : We investigated the effect of a sit-st and workstation paradigmd during experimental data entry office work on physical and psychological complaints and data entry efficiency by conducting a r and omized controlled trial with 60 male participants ages 18 to 35 years . Results : In this experiment , musculoskeletal complaints were reduced by a sit-st and workstation paradigm . A trend could be identified indicating a small but nonsignificant loss of efficiency in data entry while st and ing . Conclusion : A sit-st and workstation paradigm reduces musculoskeletal complaints without considerably affecting data entry efficiency under the presented study conditions ( young male participants , short duration , fixed and controlled sit-st and workstation paradigm , simulated experimental working condition ) . Application : According to the present data , implementing a sit-st and workstation paradigm can be an effective workplace health intervention to reduce musculoskeletal complaints . This experiment encourages further studies on the effectiveness of a sit-st and workstation paradigm . Experimental research and field studies that prove the reduction of complaints when introducing a sit-st and workstation paradigm in the workplace could be the basis for evidence -based recommendations regarding such interventions Background Excessive sitting time is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity independent of physical activity . This aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a sit-st and workstation on sitting time , and vascular , metabolic and musculoskeletal outcomes in office workers , and to investigate workstation acceptability and feasibility . Methods A two-arm , parallel-group , individually r and omised controlled trial was conducted in one organisation . Participants were asymptomatic full-time office workers aged ≥18 years . Each participant in the intervention arm had a sit-st and workstation installed on their workplace desk for 8 weeks . Participants in the control arm received no intervention . The primary outcome was workplace sitting time , assessed at 0 , 4 and 8 weeks by an ecological momentary assessment diary . Secondary behavioural , cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal outcomes were assessed . Acceptability and feasibility were assessed via question naire and interview . ANCOVA and magnitude-based inferences examined intervention effects relative to controls at 4 and 8 weeks . Participants and research ers were not blind to group allocation . Results Forty-seven participants were r and omised ( intervention n = 26 ; control n = 21 ) . Relative to the control group at 8 weeks , the intervention group had a beneficial decrease in sitting time ( −80.2 min/8-h workday ( 95 % CI = −129.0 , −31.4 ) ; p = 0.002 ) , increase in st and ing time ( 72.9 min/8-h workday ( 21.2 , 124.6 ) ; p = 0.007 ) and decrease in total cholesterol ( −0.40 mmol/L ( −0.79 , −0.003 ) ; p = 0.049 ) . No harmful changes in musculoskeletal discomfort/pain were observed relative to controls , and beneficial changes in flow-mediated dilation and diastolic blood pressure were observed . Most participants self-reported that the workstation was easy to use and their work-related productivity did not decrease when using the device . Factors that negatively influenced workstation use were workstation design , the social environment , work tasks and habits . ConclusionS hort-term use of a feasible sit-st and workstation reduced daily sitting time and led to beneficial improvements in cardiometabolic risk parameters in asymptomatic office workers . These findings imply that if the observed use of the sit-st and workstations continued over a longer duration , sit-st and workstations may have important ramifications for the prevention and reduction of cardiometabolic risk in a large proportion of the working population .Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02496507 Purpose The aim of the study was to determine effects of ergonomic intervention on work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders ( WUEMSDs )  among computer workers . Methods Four hundred computer workers answered a question naire on work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms ( WUEMSS ) . Ninety-four subjects with WUEMSS using computers at least 3 h a day participated in a prospect i ve , r and omized controlled 6-month intervention . Body posture and workstation layouts were assessed by the Ergonomic Question naire . We used the Visual Analogue Scale to assess the intensity of WUEMSS . The Upper Extremity Function Scale was used to evaluate functional limitations at the neck and upper extremities . Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Short Form-36 . After baseline assessment , those in the intervention group participated in a multicomponent ergonomic intervention program including a comprehensive ergonomic training consisting of two interactive sessions , an ergonomic training brochure , and workplace visits with workstation adjustments . Follow-up assessment was conducted after 6 months . Results In the intervention group , body posture ( p < 0.001 ) and workstation layout ( p = 0.002 ) improved over 6 months ; furthermore , intensity ( p < 0.001 ) , duration ( p < 0.001 ) , and frequency ( p = 0.009 ) of WUEMSS decreased significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group . Additionally , the functional status ( p = 0.001 ) , and physical ( p < 0.001 ) , and mental ( p = 0.035 ) health-related quality of life improved significantly compared with the controls . There was no improvement of work day loss due to WUEMSS ( p > 0.05 ) . Conclusions Ergonomic intervention programs may be effective in reducing ergonomic risk factors among computer workers and consequently in the secondary prevention of WUEMSDs The study has a parallel group design with two intervention groups ( T and S ) and one control group ( C ) of VDU operators . Three serial interventions were carried out in the T and S groups , first a new lighting system , then new workplaces and last an optometric examination and corrections if needed . The new lighting gave significantly increased illuminance levels , increased luminances of the room surfaces and better luminance distribution . The two intervention groups reported significant improvement of the lighting conditions , as well as of the visual conditions and significantly reduced visual discomfort and glare . Significant reduction of headache was found in one of the intervention groups . Optometric corrections reduced the visual discomfort in both the intervention groups . When looking at those given new corrections , a significant reduction was found in the T group and a clear tendency was also found in the S group . The C group reported no improvements for any of these health outcomes . The workplace intervention gave the operator the possibility to support the whole forearm and h and on the table top . Before the intervention there were no significant differences between the three groups regarding shoulder pain and static trapezius electromyographic ( EMG ) load . Two years after the intervention , a significant reduction of shoulder pain was reported in the T and S groups in parallel with a significant reduction in static trapezius load , while no such reduction was found in the C group . At the same time , both static trapezius load and shoulder pain were significantly lower in the T and S groups compared with the C group . Pain in the forearm and h and showed no significant changes in any of the groups during the study period . However , there seem to be a relationship between pain in the forearm and h and and the time the operator used the mouse . The C group reported significantly higher intensity of pain and used the mouse significantly more than the S group
Moderate evidence was observed for : ( 1 ) no effect of workstation adjustment , ( 2 ) no effect of rest breaks and exercise and ( 3 ) positive effect of alternative pointing devices .
For all other interventions mixed or insufficient evidence of effect was observed .
Conclusion : Few high quality studies were found that examined the effects of interventions in the office on musculoskeletal or visual health
Background : The literature examining the effects of workstation , eyewear and behavioral interventions on  musculoskeletal and visual symptoms among computer users is large and heterogeneous .
Methods : A systematic review of the literature used a best evidence synthesis approach to address the general question “ Do office interventions among computer users have an effect on musculoskeletal or visual health ? ”