Affiliations: Occupational Therapist, Prince of Wales Hospital,
Randwick NSW 2031, Australia | Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health
Sciences, University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia
Abstract: Background: This study was prompted by the prevalence of back injury
and pain in the working population, particularly amongst workers who are
increasingly exposed to sedentary work in industrialised countries, and the
corresponding limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of seating designs
currently used in the workplace. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the
differences in comfort, productivity, and posture between the Bambach™
saddle seat and a standard office chair (two chair designs used within the
workplace today). Method: A single system, multiple-baseline research design across a
sample of four subjects was used. A withdrawal
A_{1}B_{1}A_{2}B_{2}
design was utilised, with the ordering of the sequence varying with each
subject. "A" represented the standard office chair, and "B" the
Bambach™ saddle seat. Results: Discomfort ratings tended to
increase over time regardless of the seat being used. However, while the saddle
seat provided reduced levels of lower back discomfort, it demonstrated higher
discomfort in the lower limbs, particularly the hips and buttocks. There were
no significant differences identified in productivity between the two chairs.
The saddle seat consistently promoted a greater trunk-to-thigh angle for all
subjects, a position associated with optimum sitting posture. Conclusion: This study has implications for the treatment of low back injury and pain at
work, as well as other daily activities that involve prolonged static sitting,
such as those incorporated in self maintenance, leisure and rest activities.
This study provides health professionals with a systematic investigation of the
immediate effects of using both the Bambach™ saddle seat and standard
office chair in sitting. The findings of this study should be considered in
future research.
Keywords: Seating, comfort, low back pain, standard office chair, saddle seat, single system research design
