Self Management of Rest Breaks by VDT Users

Abstract

Video display terminal (VDT) users can benefit from frequent, short rest breaks in terms of improved productivity and well-being. However, VDT users report that scheduled breaks can seriously disrupt some tasks. This laboratory study tested if performance feedback would promote better self management of discretionary rest breaks. Undergraduate typists (N=31) entered lines of randomized words for 65 min. A mandatory rest break was administered whenever discretionary rest breaks did not total 30 s every 10 min. Typists in the experimental condition received feedback indicating how their discretionary breaks compared to a criterion. Typists in the control condition received no such feedback. Mood and musculoskeletal discomfort were assessed before and after the work period, followed by a questionnaire about the break system. Performance measures included keystroke rate, error rate, and correction rate (backspace use). Measures of heart rate and heart rate variability were also collected. Both the number of full-length mandatory breaks and correction rate were lower in the feedback condition. No significant differences in mood, musculoskeletal discomfort, physiological response, nor acceptance of the break system were found. These results suggest that self management of discretionary breaks as well as keystroke performance are improved by feedback, with no untoward effects on well-being.