Dear Editor,
This is in reference to the study by Madhwani et al. (2017).[1] The authors should be appreciated for assessing the role of a novel web based Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) intervention technique in promoting awareness of office ergonomics for preventing musculoskeletal pain (MSD) among corporate employees. However, I have certain queries and methodological concerns regarding the study, which are discussed below:
The nonresponse rate in the study is very high (88.1%), which is a serious threat to the validity and reliability of the study findings due to nonresponse bias.[2] Future studies will need to explore means to improve response rates and acceptability of such web-based interventions
The intervention should have been described in a more comprehensive manner. These include the duration and frequency of the ergonomics intervention, whether intervention was available offline or only online, and finally if the animation graphics were static or motion videos. Furthermore, because repetition and reinforcement play a crucial role in sustainable health education,[3] were any measures such as sending of email reminders at fixed intervals to the participants for adhering to correct body postures in their work environment used in the study?
The study reported users with habit of connecting separate keyboard and mouse with the laptop to have a five times higher risk of experiencing musculoskeletal problems compared to those who did not [Table 2]. However, this finding is in contradiction to the standard ergonomics guidelines, which recommend usage of a separate keyboard and mouse while using laptops at work to prevent wrist deviation and overreaching.[4] Nevertheless, because the proportion of participants using separate peripherals (keyboard/mouse) was small, the possibility of significant effect modification by variables such as duration and intensity of work, absence of ergonomic peripherals, lack of ergonomic chair, and inappropriate height of table (i.e., too high or too low) should also be considered.
Financial support and sponsorship
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Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
- 1.Madhwani KP, Nag PK. Web-based KAP intervention on office ergonomics: A unique technique for prevention of musculoskeletal discomfort in global corporate offices. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2017;21:18–22. doi: 10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_145_17. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Fincham JE. Response Rates and Responsiveness for Surveys, Standards, and the Journal. Am J Pharm Educ. 2008;72:43. doi: 10.5688/aj720243. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Hartley J. Learning and studying: A research perspective. London: Routledge; 1998. [Google Scholar]
- 4.American University: Washington. DC. Tips for Laptop and Mouse use. [Last accessed on 2017 Dec 12]. Available from: http://www.american.edu/finance/rmehs/mouselaptop.cfm .
