Do ergonomically designed school workstations decrease musculoskeletal symptoms in children? A 26-month prospective follow-up study

Workstations at school are among several factors that contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms among school-aged children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ergonomically designed workstations on schoolchildren's musculoskeletal symptoms as compared to conventional workstati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied ergonomics 2009-05, Vol.40 (3), p.491-499
Main Authors: Saarni, Lea A., Rimpelä, Arja H., Nummi, Tapio H., Kaukiainen, Anneli, Salminen, Jouko J., Nygård, Clas-Håkan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Anthropometry
Applied physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Children
Elementary school students
Ergonomics
Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology
Female
Finland - epidemiology
Human performance
Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology
Humans
Interior Design and Furnishings
Male
Medical sciences
Musculoskeletal Diseases - epidemiology
Musculoskeletal Diseases - physiopathology
Musculoskeletal symptoms
Musculoskeletal system
Prospective Studies
Schools
Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Work stations
Workstations
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Summary:Workstations at school are among several factors that contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms among school-aged children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ergonomically designed workstations on schoolchildren's musculoskeletal symptoms as compared to conventional workstations. In the first 14-month phase of the study (2002–2003, two schools), 42 from the intervention and 46 from the control school participated. In the total follow-up of 26 months (2002–2004), 23 in the intervention group and 20 in the control group participated. Anthropometrics and musculoskeletal symptoms were measured. In general, the ergonomically designed school workstations did not decrease present neck–shoulder, upper back, low back and lower limbs strain and pain, compared to conventional ones during follow-ups.
ISSN:0003-6870
1872-9126
DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2008.09.011