Ergonomic behaviour of learners in a digitally driven school environment: Modification using an ergonomic intervention programme
South African Journal of Physiotherapy
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Ergonomic behaviour of learners in a digitally driven school environment: Modification using an ergonomic intervention programme | |
| Creator | Sellschop, Ingrid V. Myezwa, Hellen Mudzi, Witness Musenge, Eustatius | |
| Description | Background: Computer use is increasing amongst adolescents and so is the potential for related musculoskeletal pain and postural changes. The cumulative effect of this technology-induced, sedentary lifestyle leads to poor posture, pain, repetitive strain injury and dysfunctional movement patterns.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of a computer-related ergonomic intervention for adolescents in a school environment on posture and ergonomic behaviour.Methods: All Grade 8 learners at two randomly selected private schools in Johannesburg were invited to participate in the study (n = 127). A controlled trial compared an intervention group with a control group. The computer usage questionnaire and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-intervention. The intervention consisted of a participatory educational programme. An intention-to-treat analysis was undertaken. Alpha level was set at p = 0.05. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and between-group analysis of variance, determined differences in the number of participants in the RULA action levels between groups after the intervention and the comparison of positions and type of computer.Results: At 6 months post-intervention, there were no participants in action level (AL) 4 and the number of participants in AL 3 had reduced from 26.2% at baseline to 14.8% in the intervention group (p 0.001). The control group RULA scores worsened over the period of 6 months. Although the learners were still not in an ’acceptable’ range of postural positions, there was a significant improvement between the pre-intervention and post-intervention stage (p 0.001).Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the effect of an ergonomic intervention and its sustainability over 6 months.Clinical implications: The clinical contribution of this study to our healthcare system is that through the early identification and intervention of the poor ergonomics in a school environment, a positive impact on reducing poor postural behaviour amongst learners can be achieved. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2018-04-11 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajp.v74i1.348 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Vol 74, No 1 (2018); 6 pages 2410-8219 0379-6175 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/348/629
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/348/628
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/348/630
https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/348/614
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