Frequent short rest breaks from computer work: effects on productivity and well-being at two field sites

Abstract

Computer operators at two work sites (n = 73, n = 19) were prompted to take three 30-s and one 3-min break from computer work each hour in addition to conventional rest breaks. Some operators were asked to perform stretching exercises during the short breaks. Mood state and musculoskeletal discomfort were assessed at each work site over a 2- or 3-week baseline period and a 4- or 6-week treatment period, respectively. Operator productivity measures were obtained from company records. Operators complied with about half of the added breaks but favoured 3-min breaks over 30-s breaks. No improvement in productivity or well-being was found at the larger work site. At the smaller work site, productivity, eye, leg and foot comfort all improved when the short breaks included stretching exercises. These results provide evidence that frequent short breaks from continuous computer-mediated work can benefit worker productivity and well-being when the breaks integrate with task demands.

Effects of software programs stimulating regular breaks and exercises on work-related neck and upper-limb disorders

“…However, the results of this study, and comparable results from other studies (10,13,16,17), suggest that this assumption appears to be a misunderstanding, as no negative effects on productivity were found.…”

“…Fourth, an experimental field study among 12 word processor operators showed that operators with active breaks reported less muscle discomfort than those with passive breaks (15). Finally, extra breaks did not lead to less productivity (10,16,17). Sometimes even higher productivity was found (13).…”

Eye irritation and environmental factors in the office environment-hypotheses, causes and a physiological model

“…In order to minimize water loss from the tear film, normal blinking should be maintained in the indoor environment by (i) avoiding room temperatures that are too high, because blink frequency is reduced; (ii) avoiding relative humidities that are too high or too low, because they reduce blink frequency or may increase water evaporation. In order to maintain an intact tear film (i) blinking and short breaks may be beneficial for VDU users (46,199); (ii) downward gazing is recommended to reduce the ocular surface area and water evaporation (10,200,201); (iii) the distance between the VDU and keyboard should be kept as short as possible to minimize evaporation from the ocular surface area by a low direction of the gaze (202); (iv) blink training can be beneficial (203), especially forceful blinking (204). Other preventative measures are (i) proper lid hygiene (13); (ii) avoidance of eye rubbing (165); and (iii) the use of personal products and medication.…”

Explicit and implicit theories of change when designing and implementing preventive ergonomics interventions – a systematic literature review

“…In a study on office workers by Henning et al (97), frequent micro-breaks were disliked in one company because they interfered with normal work, and the intervention did not reach its intended result. However, it had a positive effect in another company where the break scheme complied with work routines.…”

“…Referring to a specific theory, but vaguely explaining how the intervention relates to that theory N=1 (58) Referring to a specific theory; strategy for implementation firmly rooted in theory N=12 (17,57,59,64,(77)(78)(79)(80)(81)(82)(83)(84) No reference to a change theory, and no reference for the intervention strategy either N= 4 (87,88,90,96) Referring to results from previous research, but not stating a particular theory of change N=13 (66,85,86,89,(91)(92)(93)(94)(95)(97)(98)(99)(100) Intervention strategy …”