title: Work-site health promotion of frequent computer users: comparing selected interventions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Frequent computer use is associated with an increase in musculoskeletal complaints. The present study aims at comparing the relative efficacy of three novel interventions for the preventions of musculoskeletal complaints in frequent computer users.
  
  
  METHODS
  93 employees (56 woman, 37 men, mean age 40.1 ± 8.8 years) with frequent computer use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were assigned on the basis of preference to one of the following interventions of 8 week duration: Nordic Walking (NW), biofeedback assisted relaxation and stretching (BFB), balance exercises on a wobble board (BAL) or a waiting list control group. Outcome measures were musculoskeletal complaints, emotional well-being, fatigue, job dissatisfaction as well as neuromuscular activity in the neck/shoulder region at rest and during computer work assessed before and after the intervention and at 3 months follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average number of training-units per week was 2.2 ± 0.8, 5.5 ± 3.5 and 4.1 ± 2.9 for NW, BFB and BAL, respectively. NW led to short and medium term improvement of musculoskeletal complaints, BFB to a short term improvement of musculoskeletal complaints. Effects on the well-being related variables or on neuromuscular activity were not found. BAL had no effect on the studied variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NW and to a limited extent BFB are interventions potentially useful for reducing musculoskeletal complaints in frequent computer users.
authors: Study Programme Health Management and Health Promotion, University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, Pinkafeld, Austria Department of Environmental Health, Centre of Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Blasche
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Pfeffer
authors: Helga
authors: H
authors: Thaler
authors: Erwin
authors: E
authors: Gollner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D016288:Computer Terminals; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012063:Relaxation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Nordic walking; balance training; biofeedback; musculoskeletal complaints; well-being