Abstract
Grandjean (1983), Ong (1988) and Hsu and Wang (2000) et al. reported that fewer complaints were found with preferred workstation settings at an adjustable VDT workstation than with the imposed settings from a general non-adjustable VDT workstation. However, the cost of the fully adjustable VDT workstation is not affordable for general companies and VDT users. Therefore, how to improve the non-fully adjustable VDT workstation based on the preferred setting data in a cost effective way such as by using adjustable keyboard trays will be a feasible alternative. Currently, only little VDT workstation preferred setting data was reported for Taiwanese VDT users. Most of the VDT workstations used in industry or by personal VDT users in Taiwan were not designed based on adequate domestic preferred setting data. Inadequate height of desk or keyboard tray for placing keyboard and mouse was the major defect. Besides, the width of keyboard tray was found insufficient for placing keyboard and mouse together compared with preferred setting data. Therefore, the aims of this study are first to evaluate VDT workstation preferred settings data for Taiwanese VDT users and then use adjustable keyboard tray as an intervention to improve the field VDT workstation in a cost-effective way. Three adjustable keyboard trays and two fixed keyboard trays which will be used as controls will be evaluated in this study. The subjects will be selected based on the results of subjective visual and musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire and clinical examination conducted by a doctor as well. The intervention will be assessed after two to three months again by questionnaire and clinical examination. In addition to the evaluation of the effects of using adjustable keyboard trays on improving musculoskeletal discomforts, the preferred settings data evaluated can also be used for the design of VDT workstation for Taiwanese VDT users.