Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2019
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
First Advisor
Arijit K. Sengupta
Second Advisor
Athanassios K. Bladikas
Third Advisor
Samuel Lieber
Abstract
Sedentary behavior has been increasingly identified as a contributor to poor health outcomes and sit-stand workstations (SSW) have been introduced in offices to potentially reduce these adverse effects. This thesis presents a review of literature on SSW as they relate to musculoskeletal complaints, sedentary behavior, users’ perception after short- and long-term use, productivity and cardiometabolic markers. To be included in the review, studies were required to include the adult working population subject to a sit-stand workstation intervention with above outcome measures. The review indicates that on an average, SSW has decreased sitting time by about 85 minutes per eight hour work day which was mostly utilized in increasing standing time during the workday. Studies found potential reduction in neck and shoulder discomfort using SSW with no negative impact on productivity. Employer support and ergonomics training appear to have a positive impact on the reception and use of sit-stand workstations. User perception after long term use of SSW is mostly positive. Long term longitudinal studies have found some improvements in the biomarkers related to obesity and cardiovascular diseases of the SSW user group, however, not all test results are significant. It can be concluded from this literature survey, that use of SSW has a strong potential in improving office workers’ health outcome with no adverse effects on productivity and musculoskeletal disorder.
Recommended Citation
Mengistab, Danielle, "Sedentariness, productivity, perception and long term health effects of sit-stand workstation at work:
a literature review" (2019). Theses. 1657.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1657
