A single-subject design of ergonomic intervention effectiveness for university employees in a new facility

Issue title: Occupational Therapists in Work Rehabilitation and Ergonomics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lindstrom-Hazel, Debra

Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, 147 W. Ridge Circle, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, USA. Tel.: +1 269 387 7239; Fax: +1 269 387 7262; E-mail: dhazel@wmich.edu

Abstract: As clinicians are searching for evidence to support their practice interventions, it is sometimes hard to find the "real-world" studies that incorporate the complexities of actual practice. Following calls in the public health, nursing and medical literature for clinicians to participate in practice-based evidence, this pilot study explores the effectiveness of a single-subject design for practice-based evidence. Twenty-five "well" university employees participated in an ergonomic intervention over the course of one academic semester that consisted of a 15 min ergonomic intake session, a 45 min group hands-on ergonomic educational session and a 15 min individual ergonomic consult in their offices. Participants were sent postural comfort surveys weekly and their subjective ratings were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention to decrease their perceived postural discomfort at a computer work station. Twenty-one of the twenty-five participants reported an improvement in postural comfort over the course of the study. This pilot study suggests that further investigation needs to be conducted to determine the effectiveness of hands-on ergonomic education and consultation for well populations working at computer workstations.

Keywords: Self-efficacy, wellness, postural comfort

Journal: Work, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 83-93, 2008