| Study |
Total initial participants |
Study design |
Intervention |
Results |
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|
Ergonomic improvements and
training
|
||||||
| Aarås et al., 2001b |
-
n=150 - 6 years |
-
prospective, parallel group design |
-
new lighting system - new workplaces - optometric corrections if needed |
in
intervention groups reduction of
-
visual discomfort - shoulder pain - neck pain |
||
| Nevala-Puranen et al., 2003 |
-
n=20 - 7 months |
-
longitudinal intervention study - 2 intervention groups (n=8, n=7) |
-
improvements in ergonomics - improvements and advice in ergonomics |
reduction
of - neck, shoulder and elbow pain in both groups |
||
| Brisson et al., 1999 |
-
n=627 - 2 weeks - 6 months |
-
pretest-posttest study - 1 intervention group (n=284) - 1 control group (n=343) |
- ergonomic training program | in
ergonomic training
group improvements
- in postural stressors and in musculoskeletal disorders (more frequent in workers under 40 years) |
||
| Bayeh and Smith, 1999 |
-
n=80 - 6 months - 12 months |
-
longitudinal intervention study |
-
layout changes - layout changes and new workstation accessories - layout changes, new workstation accessories and new chair |
reduction
of - self-reported discomfort in all 3 groups |
||
|
Breaks from computer work
|
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|
Henning et al., 1997 |
-
two work sites (n=73, n=19) - 2 and 3 weeks - 4 and 6 weeks |
-
clinical trial |
- frequent reaks |
-
at the smaller work site (n=19), productivity, eye, leg and foot
comfort increased
- no effect at the major work site (n=73) |
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|
Mouse
design and arm support
|
||||
| Aarås et al., 2001a |
-
n=67
-
6 onths + 6 months |
-
prospective, parallel group design - 1 intervention group (n=33) - 1 control group (n=34) |
- alternative (Anir-mouse) mouse in use | in
alternative mouse group reduction
of - shoulder pain - neck pain - forearm pain - hand and wrist pain |
| Lintula et al., 2001 |
-
n=21 - 6 weeks |
-
work site intervention - 2 intervention groups (n=7, n=7) - 1 control croup (n=7) |
-
arm support for the
hand operating the mouse (intervention
group I) - arm support for both hands (intervention group II) - no arm supports (control group) |
when
using arm supports
for both hands
reduction of - wrist extension - trapezius load - discomfort |
|
Keyboard design and placement
|
||||
| Tittiranonda et al., 1999a |
-
n=80 - 6 months |
-
randomized, placebo-controlled trial |
- comparison of 4 different keyboards | reduction
of - hand and arm pain when using alternative geometry keyboards |
| Rempel et al., 1997 |
-
n=20 - 12 weeks |
-
randomized clinical trial - 1 intervention group (n=10) - 1 control group (n=10) |
- different keys-witch design | in intervention group reduction of - hand pain |
| Dowler et al., 2001 |
-
n=67 - participants used as own controls |
-
controlled intervention study - 1 intervention group (n=67) |
- reduction of seated work positions by changing the keyboard location | - a lower muscle activity in trapezius muscles when keyboard was tilted downwards |
|
Screen
|
||||
| Psihogios et al., 2001 |
-
n=20 |
-
clinical trial - 2 intervention groups (n=10, n=10) - 2 control persons in both groups |
- changes in screen location | - preferred screen location generally corresponded to the location in which less neck discomfort was reported |