title: Motivating ergonomic computer workstation setup: sometimes training is not enough.
abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders lead to pain and suffering and result in high costs to industry. There is evidence to suggest that whereas conventional ergonomics training programs result in knowledge gains, they may not necessarily translate to changes in behavior. There were 11 participants in an ergonomics training program, and a subsample of participants received a motivational intervention in the form of incentives for correct workstation setup. Training did not yield any changes in ergonomics measures for any participant. Incentives resulted in marked and durable changes in targeted workstation measures. The data suggest that improving worker knowledge about ergonomically correct workstation setup does not necessarily lead to correct workstation setup, and that motivational interventions may be needed to achieve lasting behavior change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21250 USA. sos@umbc.edu
authors.forename: Sigurdur O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Sigurdsson
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Artnak
authors.forename: Mick
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Needham
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016288:Computer Terminals; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*