Office employees who sit in an office all day are advised to shift their posture in order to buffer the effects on perceived discomfort at the neck, shoulder, upper back and lower back. ~ Dr. Broussard
Effects of Postural Shifting Frequency on Perceived Musculoskeletal Discomfort During 1-Hour Sitting in Office Workers
Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics
Nipaporn Akkarakittichoke, PhD
Published: September 29, 2023DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2023.06.003
Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of postural shifting frequency on perceived musculoskeletal discomfort during 1 hour of sitting in healthy office workers.
Methods
An experimental study comparing 3 different postural shifting frequencies was conducted on 60 healthy office workers who were asked to sit for an hour. The effects of 3 postural shifts (ie, 10, 20, and 30 times/h) on discomfort, measured by Borg’s CR-10 scale, were compared. A seat pressure mat was used to confirm an individual’s postural shift.
Results
Postural shifting frequency of 10 to 30 times/h had significant effects on perceived discomfort in the neck, shoulder, and upper and lower back during 1-hour sitting. At the neck and shoulder, a postural shifting frequency of 30 times/h significantly reduced perceived discomfort compared to a postural shifting frequency of 10 times/h during 1-hour sitting. At the upper and lower back, a postural shifting frequency of 20 to 30 times/h significantly reduced perceived discomfort compared to a postural shifting frequency of 10 times/h.
Conclusion
Postural shifts of 30 times/h provided buffering effects on perceived musculoskeletal discomfort at the neck, shoulder, and upper and lower back.