Effects of an OT Workstation Intervention on Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Habit Formation

Effects of an Occupational Therapy Computer Workstation Intervention on Ergonomic Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Habit Formation

The study aims to determine whether a face to face ergonomic workstation intervention has any advantage over an online instructional training program for acquisition of knowledge, self-efficacy, and habit formation.

Thirty participants will be recruited from the staff of Virginia Commonwealth University via recruitment fliers distributed through the Staff Senate. Potential participants will be informed that participation in the study will require them to work with the research team at their computer workstations outside of designated working hours, e.g., before or after work, during lunch break, or on a weekend. Potential participants will be reminded that they may need to obtain approval from direct supervisors to use university equipment, i.e., their computer workstations, during non-working hours. All participants will be asked to complete knowledge, self-efficacy, and habit formation survey regarding computer workstation ergonomics via REDCap. Participants will receive an email with the link to the REDCap surveys. Those participants randomly assigned to the control group will complete the OSHA Computer Workstations eTool, available at (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/wkstation_enviro.html). The eTool consists of 5 sections: 1) Good Working Positions, 2) Workstation Components, 3) Checklists, 4) Work Process, and 5) Workstation Environment. Those participants who are assigned to the intervention group will be contacted by the investigators to schedule face to face visits at their computer workstations. Face to face intervention will consist of educating the participant on points of computer workstation ergonomics, direct observation of the participant working at her/his workstation, evaluation of workstation characteristics, instruction on how to alter workstation features, and instruction on best practices for exercise and scheduling of breaks to prevent pain, discomfort, and injury. All participants will be contacted via email 2 weeks following the interventions to complete the post-test knowledge, self-efficacy, and habit formation survey on RedCap.

Training in proper body alignment and use of computer at computer workstations for people who spend 30% or more of a typical day at a computer. Training consists of learning proper positioning for head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and legs; proper arrangement of computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, and accessories.

Inclusion Criteria: 21 years old or older. Work at computer workstation at least 30% of a typical day. Exclusion Criteria: -