From Technostress to Technohealth

1)      Visual feedback of the covert muscle bracing patterns and then the ability to relax the neck and shoulders—it made them believe in the training program

2)      Practicing slower and lower breathing during computer work;

3)      Taking micro-, meso- and macro- breaks throughout the day

4)      Using ergonomic and work-style changes

5)      Learning the skills not only for themselves but then also teaching other employees in their work units

6)      Receiving support and encouragement from their supervisors.

            Finally, transforming technostress into technohealth appears possible within a comprehensive training program which has been described in detail by Peper and Gibney (2006) in their book, Muscle Biofeedback at the Computer: A Manual to Prevent Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) by Taking the Guesswork out of Assessment, Monitoring and Training. We recommend that any workplace consider implementing intervention training programs to help their employees maintain and enhance health as well as prevent “Karoshi”. By learning technohealth skills, worker’s compensation claims can be reduced and health at the computer workstation can be enhanced. As one participant said, “I now feel alive after five.”

References

Blatter, B., Houtman, I., Van den Bossche, S., Kraan, K. & Van den Heuvel, S. (2006). Gezondheidsschade en kosten ten gevolge van RSI en psychosociale arbeidsbelasting in Nederland, The Hague.

Burke, M. (2008).  The incidence of technological stress among baccalaureate nurse educators using technology during course preparation and delivery.  Nurse Education Today, in press.

Chauhan, T.S. (2003). RSI placing a strain on workplace. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 169 (11),  1203.

De Kraker, H. & Blatter, B.M. (2005). Prevalentiecijfers van RSI-klachten en het voorkomen van riscicofactoren in 15 Europese landen. Tijdschrift Scoiale Geneeskunde, 83, 8-15.

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2004). http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2004/nov/musculoskeletaldisorders_en.html 

Harvey; R. & Peper, E. (1997). Surface electromyography and mouse position use.  Ergonomics. 40 (8), 781-789.

Huysmans, M.A. (2008). From precision demands to Neck and Upper-extremity Pain. Ph.D. Dissertation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Kalia, M. (2002). Assessing the economic impact of stress—The modern day hidden epidemic.  Metabolism, 51 (6), Sup. 1 (June), 49-53.

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