title: The effectiveness of a training method using self-modeling webcam photos for reducing musculoskeletal risk among office workers using computers.
abstract: An intervention study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of an innovative self-modeling photo-training method for reducing musculoskeletal risk among office workers using computers. Sixty workers were randomly assigned to either: 1) a control group; 2) an office training group that received personal, ergonomic training and workstation adjustments or 3) a photo-training group that received both office training and an automatic frequent-feedback system that displayed on the computer screen a photo of the worker's current sitting posture together with the correct posture photo taken earlier during office training. Musculoskeletal risk was evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method before, during and after the six weeks intervention. Both training methods provided effective short-term posture improvement; however, sustained improvement was only attained with the photo-training method. Both interventions had a greater effect on older workers and on workers suffering more musculoskeletal pain. The photo-training method had a greater positive effect on women than on men.
authors: Department of Information Systems Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel. meiravta@bgu.ac.il
authors: Meirav
authors: M
authors: Taieb-Maimon
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Cwikel
authors: Bracha
authors: B
authors: Shapira
authors: Ido
authors: I
authors: Orenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010781:Photography; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult