Kines-TechSM Training

Pilot Program
to Study the Benefits of the
Kines-Tech Training

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Background

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.

Ten Three-Hour Workshops (for groups of up to 10 employees) were organized for the 96 employees.

Follow-up training (One-Hour Paired Sessions) was then arranged for those attendees who had scored high on the 'Mis-use' Analysis (the screening procedure used to determine a trainee's level of postural 'misuse' and therefore their potential susceptibility to possible 'Overuse Injury') and for other select attendees.

In order to see how effective this training was over a period of time, an additional two Work-Site Visits plus a One-Hour Refresher Course (conducted at three-month intervals) were arranged. On each occasion a Mis-Use Analysis was conducted for each trainee.

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 This Study

Symptom 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.

Results of Appraisal Form for Three-Hour Workshop

After the end of the workshop, trainees were asked to complete a simple appraisal form.

Benefits Strongly
agree		 Moderately
agree		 Strongly
disagree
This three-hour training workshop is effective in addressing 'over-use' in the workplace* 78% 21% 1%
This workshop provided me with some practical tools for reducing physical stress at work 85% 14% 1%
This program could be helpful for some colleagues 88% 11% 1%
The way I use my body at the workstation is important 99% - 1%
Ergonomic furniture without an understanding of how to use it correctly is insufficient 89% 11% -
The parts of the body used in keying-in activity, need to be integrated and supported by the whole body 95% 5% -
This workshop has made me more aware of how to use my workstation ergonomic furniture more effectively 77% 23% -

*- One person abstained from answering this question.

Results of 'Mis-use' Analysis done at the 9 to 10 month appraisal session compared with the initial 'Mis-use' Analysis

60% trainees demonstrated considerable improvement.
31% trainees slightly improved.
5% trainees remained the same.
4% trainees scored worse than before.

At the conclusion of the training (9 to 10 months afterwards), the following questions were posed to all participants:

  • How often were ideas from this training applied?

    Almost daily
    Several times a week
    Occasionally
    Never

    68%
    28%
    4%
    0%

  • Did this program help to minimize physical stress at work?

    Yes
    Somewhat
    No

    65%
    34%
    1%

  • As a result of this program were trainees more able to use ergonomic furniture at work more effectively?

    Yes
    Somewhat
    No

    69%
    28%
    3%

The initial reasons for implementing this pilot training program were:

  1. To reduce medical and workers compensation costs associated with 'overuse injury'.
  2. To have a hands on safety training program that could meet CALOSHA requirements.
  3. To help retain quality workers and promote employee goodwill.
  4. To address the need for an effective training program that can practically address WSMDs.
  5. To involve employees in modifying work habits and take more control of their work environment by emphasizing self-help.
  6. As an addition to current ergonomic programs.

The information contained in the completed study determines that these objectives were successfully met.

Conclusion

If one considers that the original three-hour training workshops were held almost one year before the final appraisal session and that levels of physical discomfort continued to decline while 'Mis-use' scores fell significantly over this period, then it can be reasonably concluded that the positive effects of this training continue over time.

This pattern has continued to date with the results of the final 'Mis-use' Analysis indicating that 60% of the participants showed marked reduction in their patterns of 'Mis-use'. Clearly, the majority of trainees continued to apply the principles learned in this training on an ongoing basis, nearly a year after the initiation of training.

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-TechSMTraining will more than pay for itself with savings from reduced workers compensation insurance claims, increased employee retention and lowered job retraining costs.

Last updated on April 24, 2001