University students' notebook computer use

Details

• Personal Author:
  Ansong E ; Dennerlein J ; Firn E ; Gold J ; Hall V ; Hudak S ; Jacobs K ; Johnson P ; Karban S ; Kaufman J ; Pencina K ; Pencina M ; Peterson D ; Richmond N ; Tung K ; Williams S
• Description:
  Recent evidence suggests that university students are self-reporting experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort with computer use similar to levels reported by adult workers. The objective of this study was to determine how university students use notebook computers and to determine what ergonomic strategies might be effective in reducing self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort in this population. Two hundred and eighty-nine university students randomly assigned to one of three towers by the university's Office of Housing participated in this study. The results of this investigation showed a significant reduction in self-reported notebook computer-related discomfort from pre- and post-survey in participants who received notebook computer accessories and in those who received accessories and participatory ergonomics training. A significant increase in post-survey rest breaks was seen. There was a significant correlation between self-reported computer usage and the amount measured using computer usage software (odometer). More research is needed however to determine the most effective ergonomics intervention for university students. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Biomechanical Phenomena Computers Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Staff Development

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• Keywords:
  Adolescents Author Keywords: Self-reported Notebook Computer-related Musculoskeletal Discomfort Biomechanics Computer-equipment Computer Usage Software Exposure-levels Humans Musculoskeletal-system Musculoskeletal-system-disorders Notebook Computer Accessories Risk-factors Training

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• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  404-409
• Volume:
  40
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20046306
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2009 May; 40(3):404-409
• Contact Point Address:
  Karen Jacobs, Boston University, Sargent College, Department of Occupational Therapy, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
• Email:
  kjacobs@bu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19990930
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20090831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:57bb498d8f4edf3671d6e3b2b2c06ae69018fb783ce9c4bd938100da7b58be0629816d363eace96c5301d2e63e9b2a3f36bdf5222e95f6a90035c3545228da20
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/201406/cdc_201406_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 191.81 KB ]