This in-house ergonomic training was commissioned as a pilot program for 96 employees at a large insurance corporation in Northern California. Volunteers came from various departments throughout the company.
Prior to beginning the training, employees were asked to list their “current level of physical discomfort due to computer activity”, which would then serve as a baseline for comparing future levels.
The average amount of time this group of employees spent using their computers each day was 6.25 hours.
Perhaps the most interesting result was the significant decrease in the ‘Reported Levels Of Physical Discomfort As A Result Of Computer Activity’, reported during and at the conclusion of the training.
Selected Results From Symptom Study Survey
Reported levels of physical discomfort as a result of computer activity: Before training, 3 to 4 months after initial Kines-Tech training and 9 to 10 months after initial Kines-Tech training.
| Discomfort | Before training | 3-4 months after training | 9-10 months after training |
| TENSION HEADACHES | 16% | 5% | 4% |
| NECK PAIN | 60% | 30% | 31% |
| SHOULDER PAIN/ACHE | 55% | 34% | 34% |
| EYE STRAIN | 13% | 2% | 7% |
| UPPER/LOWER BACK PAIN/ HIP DISCOMFORT | 44% | 20% | 21% |
| ARM DISCOMFORT/PAIN | 34% | 18% | 10% |
| WRIST/HAND/FINGER PAIN/ DISCOMFORT | 51% | 30% | 26% |
| SWELLING/BURNING/NUMBNESS/ TINGLING/LOSS OF SENSATION | 26% | 11% | 10% |
Percentages have been rounded off to the nearest number.
At the conclusion of the training (9 to 10 months afterward), the following questions were posed to all participants:
- How often were ideas from this training applied?
Almost daily
Several times a week
Occasionally
Never68%
28%
4%
0% - Did this program help to minimize physical stress at work?
Yes
Somewhat
No65%
34%
1% - As a result of this program were trainees more able to use ergonomic furniture at work more effectively?
Yes
Somewhat
No69%
28%
3%
K-T Training – Effective Over Time
These findings support the belief that education is oftentimes the best cure. If these outcomes are applied to future candidates for this program then it could be argued that the Kines-TechTraining will more than pay for itself with savings from reduced workers compensation insurance claims, increased employee retention and lowered job retraining costs.
