Degree Name

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Chen, Szu-Wei

Abstract

Musculoskeletal overuse injuries affect an estimated 20–60% of office workers, raising concerns for employee well-being and productivity (Hoe et al., 2018). While research identifies the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), less is known about how poor ergonomic design influences daily routines, occupational performance, and overall quality of life. This capstone project addressed the gap by having implemented ergonomic recommendations that incorporated both education and guided demonstration for faculty and staff at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Participants first completed a pre-survey about their current workstation setup, then took part in an ergonomic observation session to identify their individual needs. Based on these findings, general and individualized ergonomic recommendations were created using evidence-based strategies for workstation setup, body mechanics, and injury prevention. These recommendations were then provided during a dedicated recommendation session that was followed by a post-survey. Pre-survey and post-survey measures were used to assess perceived changes in equipment adjustability, posture, and workstation layout. Findings highlighted current ergonomic challenges among SIUC employees and emphasized the value of targeted recommendations in promoting safer, more supportive work environments.

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