Original Research

Ergonomic behaviour of learners in a digitally driven school environment: Modification using an ergonomic intervention programme

Ingrid V. Sellschop, Hellen Myezwa, Witness Mudzi, Eustatius Musenge
South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 74, No 1 | a348 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v74i1.348 | © 2018 Ingrid V. Sellschop, Hellen Myezwa, Witness Mudzi, Eustatius Musenge | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 29 July 2016 | Published: 11 April 2018

About the author(s)

Ingrid V. Sellschop, Private, Johannesburg, South Africa
Hellen Myezwa, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Witness Mudzi, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Eustatius Musenge, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa


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Abstract

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.

Keywords

ergonomics; posture; adolescents; computer use

Metrics

Total abstract views: 386
Total article views: 374


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Sellschop, Private, Johannesburg, South Africa<br />\t\t\t\t\tHellen Myezwa, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa<br />\t\t\t\t\tWitness Mudzi, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa<br /", "footerleft\"><!--<img src=\"/sajp/public/site/images/admin/logo.png\" alt=\"\" />--><span id=\"contactus\"><strong>African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS</strong><br />Reg No: 2002/002017/07<br />RSA Tel: 086 1000 381<br />International Tel: +27 21 975 2602<br />15 Oxford Street, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550, South Africa<br />publishing(AT)aosis.co.za replace (AT) with @ <br /></span><span id=\"contactustnc\"><br />All articles published in this journal are licensed under the <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\" target=\"_blank\">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International</a> (CC BY 4.0) license, unless otherwise stated. <br />Website design &amp; content: \u00a92019 <a href=\"https://www.aosis.co.za\" target=\"_blank\"> AOSIS (Pty) Ltd.</a> All rights reserved. No unauthorised duplication allowed. <br />By continuing to use this website, you agree to our <a href=\"https://aosis.co.za/policies\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy</a>.</span><div id=\"connect\"><a id=\"gplus\" href=\"https://plus.google.com/+AOSISPtyLtdCapeTown\" target="], "copyright__copyright__copyright": ["ntervention and its sustainability over 6 months.\nClinical implications:\u00a0The 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.\n\nKeywords\n\nergonomics; posture; adolescents; computer use\n\nMetrics\n\nTotal abstract views: 386\nTotal article views: 374\n\n\nCrossref Citations\n\nNo related citations found.", "ntervention and its sustainability over 6 months.\nClinical implications:\u00a0The 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.\n\nKeywords\n\nergonomics; posture; adolescents; computer use\n\nMetrics\n\nTotal abstract views: 386\nTotal article views: 374\n\n\nCrossref Citations\n\nNo related citations found.", "ntervention and its sustainability over 6 months.\nClinical implications:\u00a0The 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.\n\nKeywords\n\nergonomics; posture; adolescents; computer use\n\nMetrics\n\nTotal abstract views: 386\nTotal article views: 374\n\n\nCrossref Citations\n\nNo related citations found.", "ntervention and its sustainability over 6 months.\nClinical implications:\u00a0The 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.\n\nKeywords\n\nergonomics; posture; adolescents; computer use\n\nMetrics\n\nTotal abstract views: 386\nTotal article views: 374\n\n\nCrossref Citations\n\nNo related citations found.", "ntervention and its sustainability over 6 months.\nClinical implications:\u00a0The 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.\n\nKeywords\n\nergonomics; posture; adolescents; computer use\n\nMetrics\n\nTotal abstract views: 386\nTotal article views: 374\n\n\nCrossref Citations\n\nNo related citations found.", "ntervention and its sustainability over 6 months.\nClinical implications:\u00a0The 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.\n\nKeywords\n\nergonomics; posture; adolescents; computer use\n\nMetrics\n\nTotal abstract views: 386\nTotal article views: 374\n\n\nCrossref Citations\n\nNo related citations found."]}