The Survey of Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Factors among Office Workers and the Implementation of an Ergonomic Training Program

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Army University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Industrial Ergonomics, Faculty of Health, University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

3 Research Center of Clinical Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Engineering, Army University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Aims: Office personnel require the extensive use of computers to get the work done. This usually entails maintaining static posture for a long time. Today due to the frequent use of computers in offices, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders associated with computer work is on the rise. This study has aimed to investigate the musculoskeletal disorders risk factors among office personnel using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method and implemented an educational intervention to reduce such risk factors.

Methods: The subjects of this interventional study were 106 office personnel of Aja University of Medical Sciences. In order to investigate the risk factors causing musculoskeletal disorders, the ROSA method was used before and after the intervention. To maximize the personnel’s awareness about ergonomic improvements and adjustments of workstations, an educational intervention program was employed. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS V16.

Results: The mean scores for the mouse and keyboard and monitor and phone before and after the educational intervention were reduced. The decrease was statistically significant (P < 0.001).The means of the ROSA final scores before and after the intervention were significantly different (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: ROSA is an appropriate method for assessing the risk factors contributing the musculoskeletal disorders among office personnel. Through this method we can mainly identify and eliminate the ergonomically related shortcomings in workstations.

Keywords

Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 16, Issue 4 - Serial Number 58
March and April 2015
Pages 211-216

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