Abstract
Background: Prolonged sitting has been associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction. For desk workers,
workstation modifications frequently address the work surface and chair. Chairs which can prevent abnormal strain
of the neuromuscular system may aid in preventing musculo-skeletal pain and discomfort. Anecdotally, adjustability
of the seat height and the seat pan depth to match the anthropometrics of the user is the most commonly
recommended intervention. Within the constraints of the current economic climate, employers demand evidence
for the benefits attributed to an investment in altering workstations, however this evidence-base is currently unclear
both in terms of the strength of the evidence and the nature of the chair features. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of chair interventions in reducing workplace musculoskeletal symptoms.