Product review of alternative computer workstations as possible workplace accommodations for people with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Problems with chronic low back pain (LBP) impact the lives of many working age adults. The condition can leave people frustrated when their desire to work conflicts with their need to relieve the chronic discomfort. Because physical labor can aggravate the condition, persons with LBP may seek a more sedentary type of employment, such as video display terminal (VDT) operator. Unfortunately, typical VDT workstations require the operator to sit upright, which may increase the discomfort of an operator with LBP. Alternative computer workstations have been designed to allow the VDT operator to access the computer from a significantly reclined or supine posture. These postures have been shown to relieve some forms of LBP. This paper describes a comparison between twenty-four alternative computer workstations as potential workplace accommodations for people with LBP. Just under half (46%) of the systems reviewed, are designed for use only with a laptop computer, and will not support full-size monitor and keyboard. Only 33% allow access to full-size computer components from both a reclined and a supine posture. Complexity of component adjustment and awkward positioning for ingress and egress make these systems less than optimal for accommodating people with LBP in a typical VDT workplace environment.