Office Desk Ergonomics
Conditions
Keywords
desk surface, thermal comfort, ergonomics, attention
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to test the suitability of different types of desk surfaces. The investigators will test 10 different surfaces (oak-ruff, oak-varnished, oak-oiled, spruce-ruff, spruce-varnished, spruce-oiled, particleboard laminate, particleboard veneer, corian and glass). Firstly, the investigators will perform tests to assess physical characteristics of the materials (thermal conductivity, hardness, roughness, skid measures). Secondly, the investigators will measure the participants' forearm skin temperature after 20-minutes of using each desk surface. During those 20 minutes the participants will solve an attention test.
Detailed description
People are surrounded by objects that are made of different materials. These materials should be carefully chosen, especially the ones that are in direct contact with user's skin. Office workers are constantly in contact with desk surface (while reading, typing, filling in forms, etc.). Therefore, it is important that the material of desk surface is suitable and properly chosen. It should be both functional and aesthetic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the suitability of different desk surfaces for sedentary workers. The investigators will test 10 different surfaces (oak-ruff, oak-varnished, oak-oiled, spruce-ruff, spruce-varnished, spruce-oiled, particleboard laminate, particleboard veneer, corian and glass). All surfaces will be square shaped (800x800 mm). Firstly, the investigators will perform tests to assess physical characteristics of the materials (thermal conductivity, hardness, roughness, skid measures). Secondly, the investigators will measure the participants' forearm skin temperature after 20-minutes of desk use. Every participant will test all 10 sample desk surfaces (cross-over design). The investigators will use thermal IR camera to measure the temperature of participant's skin surface. The investigators will measure the temperature before and after the contact with desk surface. During those 20 minutes the participant will solve an attention test to assess the impact of different materials on attention. At the end, the participants will answer a questionnaire about the suitability of the material.
Interventions
OTHERDesk surface
The participants will test all 10 desk surfaces and will be randomly allocated to one of the desks each time.
Sponsors
Innorenew CoE
University of Primorska
Study design
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* aged between 18 and 35
Exclusion criteria
* pregnancy * pain presence in any musculoskeletal part \> 3 on 10-level scale
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change of the skin temperature measured on forearm | at the beginning and after 20 minutes of using desk surface | Skin temperature in the forearm will be measured with Infrared thermal camera. Thermal camera is suitable for the measurements since it is a reliable tool for measuring skin temperature. The temperature is presented in Celsius degrees. Moreover, thermal camera provides a thermal picture indicating temperature distribution in the space. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attention test | 180 seconds | The attention test will be performed on computer. On the computer screen letters P and R will appear. Each time the letter R appears the participant will have to click ''space''. If a letter P appears the participant should not react. |
| Adjusted Mood and feelings questionnaire | 180 seconds | The questionnaire consists of two questions. One is asking the participant about their current mood. The second question is asking the participant about their current arousal. The participant answers both questions using a 9-level scale (1 meaning not at all and 9 meaning very much). There is no total value of the questionnaire. Also, higher or lower values do not represent better or worse outcome. |
Countries
Slovenia
Outcome results
None listed