Online office ergonomics training programs: A scoping review examining design and user-related outcomes

Abstract

Online ergonomics training programs have emerged as an efficient way to support office workers’ health, safety, and wellbeing. A scoping review was conducted to assess the design and user-related outcomes of current online office ergonomics training tested in the scientific literature and provided by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) authorities.A systematic search of five databases and eighteen OHS authorities’ websites was conducted. Data on training details and content was extracted and tabulated. Design outcomes of satisfaction, usability and acceptability were recorded, as were user health-related and knowledge outcomes. A validated rubric for eLearning evaluation was used to assess the functional, technical, and pedagogical aspects of training programs provided by OHS authorities.Five articles were included, and reported on user-related outcomes: musculoskeletal health, ergonomics knowledge, and/or posture. None of the studies reported on design-related outcomes. Eight online training programs were identified in six OHS authorities in Australia (2), the USA (2) and Canada (2). All eight programs included information on workstation set-up and physical hazards while two included information on psychosocial hazards. These programs scored high in the technical (12/12) and accessibility (10.5/12) aspects, but lower on teaching (4/9), social (5/9) and cognitive (5.5/9) aspects.Online office ergonomics training tested in the literature seem to focus on user-related outcomes while OHS authorities training was more comprehensive and met design-related targets. Future collaboration between OHS authorities, the scientific community and end-users need to be considered to build robust evidence-based programs that address both the design and user-related outcomes.