Top

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

01-11-2018 | Original Article

The effectiveness of a model-based health education intervention to improve ergonomic posture in office computer workers: a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Hormoz Sanaeinasab, Mohsen Saffari, Firouz Valipour, Hassan Reza Alipour, Mojtaba Sepandi, Faten Al Zaben, Harold G. Koenig

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Lack of knowledge about computer ergonomics predisposes users to musculoskeletal and visual disorders. The present study examined the effect of a trans-theoretical model (TTM)-based educational program on work-related posture in office computer users.

Methods

This experimental study examined 102 hospital personnel whose primary job involved working at a computer. Participants were randomized to intervention and control groups. An educational intervention based on TTM was conducted over five sessions. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data including stages of change, processes of change, pros and cons of change, and self-efficacy. A pen–paper-based observational method (i.e., Rapid Office Strain Assessment or ROSA) was used for assessing work posture. A visual analogue scale assessed pain intensity. Data were collected at baseline and 3-month follow-up.

Results

Significant differences were found on TTM’s constructs and ROSA score between intervention and control groups at follow-up (p < 0.05). The mean ROSA score decreased from 5.65 (SD 1.03) to 3.95 (SD 0.83) in the intervention group, while no significant change was found in the control group. Pain intensity also decreased significantly among those in the intervention vs. control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

An educational intervention based on TTM was effective in improving ergonomic posture in computer workers. Further research is needed to determine if these results can be generalized to computer workers in other settings.

Albin TJ (2015) Computer ergonomics: the state of the art. Work 52:215–216. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-152169 CrossRef

Ayanniyi O, Ukpai BO, Adeniyi AF (2010) Differences in prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among computer and non-computer users in a Nigerian population: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskel Disord 11:177. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-11-177 CrossRef

Baydur H, Ergor A, Demiral Y, Akalin E (2016) Effects of participatory ergonomic intervention on the development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and disability in office employees using a computer. J Occup Health 58:297–309. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.16-0003 CrossRef

Blagojevic L, Petrovic B, Blagojevic J (2012) Risk factors for health disorders in computer operators in telecom. Serbia Int J Occup Safety Ergon JOSE 18:321–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2012.11076935 CrossRef

Brink Y, Louw Q, Grimmer K, Jordaan E (2015) The relationship between sitting posture and seated-related upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain in computing South African adolescents: a prospective study. Man Therapy 20:820–826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2015.03.015 CrossRef

Bruno Garza JL, Young JG (2015) A literature review of the effects of computer input device design on biomechanical loading and musculoskeletal outcomes during computer work. Work 52:217–230. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-152161 CrossRef

Carvalho de Menezes M, Bedeschi LB, Santos LC, Lopes AC (2016) Interventions directed at eating habits and physical activity using the transtheoretical model: a systematic review. Nutr Hosp 33:586. https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.586 CrossRef

Cassidy CA (1997) Facilitating behavior change. Use of the transtheoretical model in the occupational health setting. AAOHN J 45:239–246CrossRef

Chaiklieng K (2015) Health risk assessment and incidence of shoulder pain among office workers. Procedia Manufac 3:4941–4947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.636 CrossRef

Cheng HK, Wong MT, Yu YC, Ju YY (2016) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk factors in special education teachers and teacher’s aides. BMC Pub Health 16:137. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2777-7 CrossRef

Davis KG, Kotowski SE (2014) Postural variability: an effective way to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort in office work. Hum Factors 56:1249–1261CrossRef

Esmaeilzadeh S, Ozcan E, Capan N (2014) Effects of ergonomic intervention on work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among computer workers: a randomized controlled trial. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 87:73–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0838-5 CrossRef

Fotiadis DG, Fotiadou EG, Kokaridas DG, Mylonas AC (2013) Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in professional symphony orchestra musicians in Greece: a pilot study concerning age, gender, and instrument-specific results. Med Prob Perform Artists 28:91–95

Glanz K, Rimer BK, Viswanath K (2008) Health behavior and health education: theory, research, and practice, 4th edn. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health (2011) World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/physical-activity-recommendations-18-64years.pdf. Accessed 25 Nov 2017

Griffiths KL, Mackey MG, Adamson BJ (2011) Behavioral and psychophysiological responses to job demands and association with musculoskeletal symptoms in computer work. J Occup Rehabil 21:482–492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9263-3 CrossRef

Hulley SB (2001) Designing clinical research: an epidemiologic approach, 2nd edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

Hutchison AJ, Breckon JD, Johnston LH (2009) Physical activity behavior change interventions based on the transtheoretical model: a systematic review. Health Educ Behav 36:829–845. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198108318491 CrossRef

Jamjumrus N, Nanthavanij S (2008) Ergonomic intervention for improving work postures during notebook computer operation. J Hum Ergol 37:23–33

Janis IL, Mann L (1977) Decision making: a psychological analysis of conflict, choice, and commitment. Free Press, New York

Jaromi M, Nemeth A, Kranicz J, Laczko T, Betlehem J (2012) Treatment and ergonomics training of work-related lower back pain and body posture problems for nurses. J Clin Nurs 21:1776–1784. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04089.x CrossRef

Levanon Y, Gefen A, Lerman Y, Givon U, Ratzon NZ (2012) Reducing musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators: comparison between ergonomics interventions at the workplace. Ergonomics 55:1571–1585. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2012.726654 CrossRef

Liebregts J, Sonne M, Potvin JR (2016) Photograph-based ergonomic evaluations using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA). Appl Ergon 52:317–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.07.028 CrossRef

Loghmani A, Golshiri P, Zamani A, Kheirmand M, Jafari N (2013) Musculoskeletal symptoms and job satisfaction among office-workers: a cross-sectional study from Iran. Acta Med Acad 42:46–54. https://doi.org/10.5644/ama2006-124.70 CrossRef

Mani K, Provident I, Eckel E (2016) Evidence-based ergonomics education: promoting risk factor awareness among office computer work. Work 55:913–922. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-162457 CrossRef

Moazzami Z, Dehdari T, Taghdisi MH, Soltanian A (2015) Effect of an ergonomics-based educational intervention based on transtheoretical model in adopting correct body posture among operating room nurses global. J Health Sci 8:26–34. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p26 CrossRef

Mohammadi Zeidi I, Morshedi H, Mohammadi Zeidi B (2011) The effect of interventions based on transtheoretical modelling on computer operators’. Postural Habits Clin Chiropractic 14:17–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clch.2010.07.001 CrossRef

Ozcan E, Esmaeilzadeh S, Basat H (2011) Upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders among computer users and effectiveness of ergonomic interventions Turk Fiz. Tip Rehab D 57:236–241. https://doi.org/10.4274/tftr.49091 CrossRef

Parsons S, Breen A, Foster NE, Letley L, Pincus T, Vogel S, Underwood M (2007) Prevalence and comparative troublesomeness by age of musculoskeletal pain in different body locations. Family Pract 24:308–316. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmm027 CrossRef

Pillastrini P et al (2010) Effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention on work-related posture and low back pain in video display terminal operators: a 3 year cross-over trial. Appl Ergon 41:436–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2009.09.008 CrossRef

Piranveyseh P, Motamedzade M, Osatuke K, Mohammadfam I, Moghimbeigi A, Soltanzadeh A, Mohammadi H (2016) Association between psychosocial, organizational and personal factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers. Int J Occup Safety Ergon 22:267–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2015.1135568 CrossRef

Prochaska JO, DiClemente CC (1994) The transtheoretical approach: crossing traditional boundaries of therapy. Krieger Pub., Malabar

Rasoulzadeh Y, Gholamnia R (2012) Effectiveness of an ergonomics training program on decreasing work-related musculoskeletal disorders risk among video display. Term Users Health Promot Perspect 2:89–95. https://doi.org/10.5681/hpp.2012.011 CrossRef

Salvendy G (2012) Handbook of human factors and ergonomics, 4th edn. Wiley, HobokenCrossRef

Sanaeinasab H, Saffari M, Nazeri M, Karimi Zarchi A, Cardinal BJ (2013) Descriptive analysis of Iranian adolescents’ stages of change for physical activity behavior. Nurs Health Sci 15:280–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12020 CrossRef

Sharma M, Romas JA (2012) Theoretical foundations of health education and health promotion, 2nd edn. Jones & Bartlett Learning, Sudbury

Sherrod C, Johnson D, Chester B (2014) Safety, tolerability and effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention with chiropractic care for knowledge workers with upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders: a prospective case series. Work 49:641–651. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-131732 CrossRef

Skaal L, Pengpid S (2012) The predictive validity and effects of using the transtheoretical model to increase the physical activity of healthcare workers in a public hospital in South Africa. Transl Behav Med 2:384–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-012-0136-5 CrossRef

Sonne M, Villalta DL, Andrews DM (2012) Development and evaluation of an office ergonomic risk checklist: ROSA—rapid office strain assessment. Appl Ergon 43:98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2011.03.008 CrossRef

Tavafian SS, Zeidi IIM, Heidarnia AR (2012) Theory-based education and postural ergonomic behaviours of computer operators: a randomized controlled trial from Iran Turk Fiz. Tip Rehab D 58:312–318. https://doi.org/10.4274/tftr.29863 CrossRef

Tuomivaara S, Ketola R, Huuhtanen P, Toivonen R (2008) Perceived competence in computer use as a moderator of musculoskeletal strain in VDU work: an ergonomics intervention case. Ergonomics 51:125–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130701561850 CrossRef

Woo EH, White P, Lai CW (2016) Ergonomics standards and guidelines for computer workstation design and the impact on users’ health—a review. Ergonomics 59:464–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1076528 CrossRef

Title: The effectiveness of a model-based health education intervention to improve ergonomic posture in office computer workers: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hormoz Sanaeinasab
Mohsen Saffari
Firouz Valipour
Hassan Reza Alipour
Mojtaba Sepandi
Faten Al Zaben
Harold G. Koenig
Publication date: 01-11-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-018-1336-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The effectiveness of a model-based health education intervention to improve ergonomic posture in office computer workers: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 8/2018

Occupational emphysema in South African miners at autopsy; 1975–2014

Impact of workplace bullying on missed nursing care and quality of care in the eldercare sector

Gender differences in the effects of job insecurity on psychological distress in Japanese workers: a population-based panel study

Metabolites of the alkyl pyrrolidone solvents NMP and NEP in 24-h urine samples of the German Environmental Specimen Bank from 1991 to 2014

Prognostic effects of selection, optimization and compensation strategies on work ability: results from the representative lidA cohort study on work, age, and health in Germany

Effort-reward imbalance among students at German universities: associations with self-rated health and mental health