A proactive ergonomic intervention reduces pain related to poor work postures in office employees, reports a study in the October issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Just buying ergonomic desks and chairs, though, isn't enough. Setup and adjustment by a professional ergonomist is an essential part of the proactive ergonomic approach, says the study, which was led by Dr. Jasminka Goldoni Laestadius, of The World Bank's joint bank/fund health services department.

Prompted by a move to a new World Bank headquarters, the researchers designed a study to determine whether a proactive approach to ergonomics could reduce pain and other symptoms in office workers.

One group of workers received new ergonomic office furniture, along with information on how to set it up. Another group also received new furniture and information, plus personalized setup by a professional ergonomist.

The proactive approach reduced symptoms of musculoskeletal pain and eyestrain, but only for workers receiving an expert work station setup. That group also had a significant increase in productivity. Neither group had a significant reduction in sick leave.

The reduction in symptoms clearly was related to improved work postures, the researchers said.

"Better postures meant less pain," they wrote. "This verifies our experience that equipment such as an adjustable chair does not add value unless properly adjusted."

Reductions in pain and other symptoms were seen only in workers who had such symptoms at the start of the study—fully half of all workers. For employees who initially were symptom-free, the ergonomic program didn't reduce the rate of new symptoms.

To be effective in reducing pain and improving productivity, a proactive ergonomics program needs to include an individual work station assessment, the study suggests. "Just providing new office furniture and written instructions is not sufficient to achieve proper accommodation," It concludes. "Good office equipment is a poor substitute for good working positions."

ACOEM, an international society of 5,000 occupational physicians and other health-care professionals, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.