Efficacy of Office Ergonomics Education

Abstract

The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries associated with computer use is increasing. Education has been advocated as a prevention method for reducing the incidence and severity of these injuries. Although the inclusion of education in prevention programs has become a popular practice, its efficacy is poorly defined. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of worker education programs in preventing musculoskeletal injuries in a population of reservation center employees who spend the majority of their workdays, using the computer. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three study groups (control, traditional education, or participatory education). Data collection utilized self-report surveys and observational checklists to collect data prior to intervention and at approximately 3, 6, and 12 months post intervention. Those who received education reported less pain/discomfort and psychosocial work stress following the intervention than those who did not receive education. There was no indication that the differences in reported pain/discomfort or psychosocial work stress were related to better work area configuration or improved worker postures. Those workers in the participatory education intervention group reported a significantly better perception of their health status than those in the control group or the traditional education group. It is unclear if the method of intervention was solely responsible for the higher rating.