title: Effect of therapy ball seating on learning and sitting discomforts among Saudi female students.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of therapy ball seating as an alternative for typical chair seating in a classroom. We evaluated the effect of ball seating on the student's sitting discomfort and academic performance using Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and problem-based learning scales, respectively. A sample of convenience was taken. Data was collected and analyzed using t-test. Subjects experienced a major discomfort at neck and a minor discomfort at knee joint. Results showed that there was a significant improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in sitting discomfort and student's performance when seated on therapy balls compared to typical classroom chairs. This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of therapy balls as a classroom seating for students who exhibit sitting discomfort and problem-based learning.
authors.affiliation: Female Centre for Science and Medical Studies, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Einas
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Al-Eisa
authors.forename: Syamala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buragadda
authors.forename: Ganeswara Rao
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Melam
mesh_terms: D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D013334:Students