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Long-term effects of forearm support: computer users working at conventional desks
Catherine Cook1, Lisa Downes, Julia Bowman
1College of Health & Science, University of Western Sydney, NSW, Australia. c.cook@uws.edu.au
Work (Reading, Mass.)
|April 17, 2008
Summary
Forearm support significantly reduced neck discomfort for computer users long-term. However, shoulder discomfort increased, suggesting a need for ergonomic desk adjustments to optimize forearm support benefits.
Area of Science:
- Ergonomics
- Occupational Health
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Previous research suggests forearm support improves comfort for computer users.
- A prior study in a call center showed reduced discomfort with forearm support over 12 weeks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term (21 months) impact of forearm support on musculoskeletal discomfort.
- To assess the sustained benefits and potential drawbacks of forearm support for intensive computer users.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up study on 35 participants (33 females, 2 males) from a previous intervention.
- Data collection through self-report questionnaires and workstation assessments.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in neck discomfort persisted over 21 months.
- Discomfort decreased in most body regions, except for the shoulder, which showed an increase.
- Forearm support positively impacted neck discomfort reduction.
Conclusions:
- Forearm support offers long-term benefits for reducing neck discomfort in computer users.
- Increased shoulder discomfort suggests conventional desks may be suboptimal for forearm support; concave desks might be preferable.
