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Understanding the Association Between Cognitive Workload Imposed by Computer Tasks and Computer Users' Biomechanical Responses

Wang, Xueke
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1596550555225055

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Office computer users experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders including pain in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Previous researchers revealed that there were associations between the cognitive workload imposed by computer tasks and the increased biomechanical load which could eventually lead to adverse symptoms. However, there are limited data that describe how the different components of cognitive workload are associated with changes in computer users’ biomechanical response to the work process. At the same time, although furnishings with lumbar support and relevant sitting guidelines have been provided in many office settings, there is limited evidence showing more supportive furniture is effective in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among office computer users. This study investigated: 1) whether computer users are sitting in the suggested neutral position and using the backrest when working on different types of computer tasks; 2) how the causal (task complexity and time pressure) and assessment factors (mental demand, mental effort, and task performance) of cognitive workload are related with the variations in computer users’ biomechanical responses; and 3) whether using a footrest can be used to promote the use of backrest in computer tasks. The first stage of this dissertation was an observational study in which computer users’ sitting postures were observed and recorded discretely as the observed individuals worked on different types of computer tasks. The findings revealed that chairs’ back supports were not being used effectively that the users did not rest their whole back against the backrest. Following the observational study, a laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate how the computer tasks that varied in their level of cognitive workload, which was assessed in terms of mental demand, mental effort, and task performance, are associated with the variations in the computer users’ biomechanical responses. Participants worked on the simulated computer tasks while muscle activation levels in neck and back muscles, and sitting postures were measured in real-time. The results indicated that the mental effort actually allocated by the workers as they performed the tasks, rather than the mental demand and task performance, was associated with the observed changes in the computer users’ muscle activation level and sitting posture. In addition, using the chair’s backrest mitigated the increased biomechanical loads that were caused by the increased mental effort. The last stage of this dissertation, which explored whether a footrest could facilitate computer users more effectively using of backrest when working on computer tasks, showed that backrest use was increased for some of the participants during the footrest conditions. In summary, a comprehensive understanding about how the different physical and cognitive elements in the computer work process affect computer users biomechanical responses is necessary for the development of more effective ergonomic interventions aimed at facilitating less biomechanical demanding sitting postures, lower muscle tensions, and reduced risk of MSDs among office computer users.
Steven Lavender (Advisor)
Carolyn Sommerich (Committee Member)
Michael Rayo (Committee Member)
173 p.
Biomechanics; Design; Industrial Engineering; Occupational Health
Ergonomics, Cognitive workload, Mental effort, Mental demand, Biomechanical response, Computer work, Musculoskeletal disorders, Intervention, Electromyography, Sitting posture

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wang, X. (2020). Understanding the Association Between Cognitive Workload Imposed by Computer Tasks and Computer Users' Biomechanical Responses [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1596550555225055

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wang, Xueke. Understanding the Association Between Cognitive Workload Imposed by Computer Tasks and Computer Users' Biomechanical Responses. 2020. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1596550555225055.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wang, Xueke. "Understanding the Association Between Cognitive Workload Imposed by Computer Tasks and Computer Users' Biomechanical Responses." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1596550555225055

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1596550555225055
148
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.