Affiliations: College of Health & Science, University of
Western Sydney, NSW, Australia | Aged Care and Rehabilitation, Bankstown Hospital,
Bankstown, NSW, Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Catherine Cook, Occupational
Therapy, College of Health & Science, Campbelltown Campus, University of
Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797 Penrith Street, NSW 1797, Australia. Tel.: +61
2 46203755; Fax: +61 2 46203792; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Recent research has demonstrated that forearm support might be
preferable to working in the traditional "floating" posture for computer
users. A previous field study in a call centre reported a significant decrease
in discomfort following 12 weeks of using a conventional desk for forearm
support [8]. The aim of this follow up study was to determine the
long-term effect (21 months post intervention) of forearm support on reported
musculoskeletal discomfort in the previous sample of intensive computer users. Methods: The follow-up sample consisted of 33 females and 2 males (59%
of original group). Data were collected via self-report questionnaires and
workstation assessments. Results: Despite a significant reduction in
discomfort for most body regions following the initial intervention, the only
significant decrease in discomfort over 21 months was for the neck. Reported
discomfort for all other body regions had decreased, apart from the shoulder in
which there was a reported increase in discomfort. The results of this follow
up study indicate that forearm support has a positive effect on the reduction
of neck discomfort. The increase in shoulder discomfort indicates that a
concave desk may be preferable to the conventional desk if the forearm support
posture is to be adopted.
