The effects of frequent unstructured breaks from sitting, on musculoskeletal disorders within office workers
Item
- Title
- The effects of frequent unstructured breaks from sitting, on musculoskeletal disorders within office workers
- Author(s)
- Chatland, Louise
- Abstract
- RationaleGlobally there has been an increase in office-based jobs, alongside developing technology which has resulted in prolonged periods of occupational sitting. These changes within the workplace have been attributed to the increasing incidences of cardio vascular disease, diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are one of the most commonly reported reasons for sick leave currently accounting for thirty-one million days lost in the UK per year.ObjectiveTo determine the effect taking frequent breaks from sitting has on the incidences of MSD amongst office workers.MethodsThis intervention study included 85 participants across 16 offices. Participants were required to complete three questionnaires and take frequent short unstructured breaks from sitting throughout a 10 week intervention period. ResultsThe study showed a reduction in the total number of reported MSD (?2=0.04, p=0.978) and a reduction in total time spent sitting throughout the working day (?2=7.08, p=0.13), however these did not reach a statistical significance. Conversely, there was a statistically significant change in the time participants stood up from their desk each hour during the study (?2=26.3, p=0.009), which was also associated with a significant reduction in shoulder (p=0.022) and other pain (p=0.024) at week three and headaches (p=0.025) at week ten.ConclusionThe study further supports current research which suggests breaking uplong bouts of sitting, by taking frequent breaks throughout the working day can helpin reducing the incidence of MSD amongst office workers.
- presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 2018
- Date Submitted
- 9.11.2018 15:32:56
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Number of pages
- 55
- Submitted by:
- 4457
- Pub-Identifier
- 16226
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 1
- Item sets
- Thesis
Chatland, Louise, “The effects of frequent unstructured breaks from sitting, on musculoskeletal disorders within office workers”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 3, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/2127