New Product Ideas to Support Macro Breaks in Computer Work

New Product Ideas to Support Macro Breaks in Computer Work

Dekker, M.C.
Van Lochem, A.J.
Molenbroek, J.F.M.

Industrial Design Engineering

Industrial Design

2015-02-24

A healthy work-to-rest ratio during computer work can be an important part of successful preventive workrelated upper limb disorders (WRULD) intervention. Existing break software applications designed to realise such a work-to-rest ratio often possess product features that limit their functionality. Most applications focus on physical relaxation by implementing (micro) breaks into computer work time. Through the emphasis on break time, these applications give the impression that there is no productivity, possibly strengthened by the applications themselves that often visualise the remainder of the break as a slowly decreasing time bar. Moreover, application features such as blocking input devices may counteract cognitive relaxation of computer workers. As imposed physical breaks can be cognitively stressful, especially when deadlines loom, combining physical and cognitive relaxation is a challenge. Actually, research shows that, instead of micro breaks, macro breaks need more attention. It is worthwhile to think of new products for both forms of relaxation within this time span. An idea for a possible product innovation is tested with a small sample and is presented here: a new software application that shows customisable video content during macro breaks.

cognitive relaxation
computer work
macro breaks
product innovation
repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
workrelated upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (WRUEMD)
work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD)
work-to-rest ratio
OA-Fund TU Delft

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:26d716b9-5546-4cba-b78f-62a146c4c1b1

https://doi.org/10.2174/1875934301508010013

Bentham Open

1875-9343

Ergonomics Open Journal, 8, 2015

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2015 The Author(s)
This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.