Moderate evidence was observed for : ( 1 ) no effect of workstation adjustment , ( 2 ) no effect of rest breaks and exercise and ( 3 ) positive effect of alternative pointing devices .
For all other interventions mixed or insufficient evidence of effect was observed .
Conclusion : Few high quality studies were found that examined the effects of interventions in the office on musculoskeletal or visual health
Background : The literature examining the effects of workstation , eyewear and behavioral interventions on  musculoskeletal and visual symptoms among computer users is large and heterogeneous .
Methods : A systematic review of the literature used a best evidence synthesis approach to address the general question “ Do office interventions among computer users have an effect on musculoskeletal or visual health ? ”
Computer terminal work and the benefit of microbreaks.
Microbreaks are scheduled rest breaks taken to prevent the onset or progression of cumulative trauma disorders in the computerized workstation environment . The authors examined the benefit of microbreaks by investigating myoelectric signal ( MES ) behavior , perceived discomfort , and worker productivity while individuals performed their usual keying work . Participants were r and omly assigned to one of three experimental groups . Each participant provided data from working sessions where they took no breaks , and from working sessions where they took breaks according to their group assignment : microbreaks at their own discretion ( control ) , microbreaks at 20 min intervals , and microbreaks at 40 min intervals . Four main muscle areas were studied : the cervical extensors , the lumbar erector spinae , the upper trapezius/supraspinatus , and the wrist and finger extensors . The authors have previously shown that when computer workers remained seated at their workstation , the muscles performing sustained postural contractions displayed a cyclic trend in the mean frequency ( MNF ) of the MES ( McLean et al. , J. Electrophysiol . Kinesiol . 10 ( 1 ) ( 2000 ) 33 ) . The data provided evidence ( p < 0.05 ) that all microbreak protocol s were associated with a higher frequency of MNF cycling at the wrist extensors , at the neck when microbreaks were taken by the control and 40 min protocol groups , and at the back when breaks were taken by the 20 and 40 min protocol groups . No significant change in the frequency of MNF cycling was noted at the shoulder . It was determined ( p < 0.05 ) that microbreaks had a positive effect on reducing discomfort in all areas studied during computer terminal work , particularly when breaks were taken at 20 min intervals . Finally , microbreaks showed no evidence of a detrimental effect on worker productivity . The underlying cause of MNF cycling , and its relationship to the development of discomfort or cumulative trauma disorders remains to be determined
Moderate evidence was observed for : ( 1 ) no effect of workstation adjustment , ( 2 ) no effect of rest breaks and exercise and ( 3 ) positive effect of alternative pointing devices .
For all other interventions mixed or insufficient evidence of effect was observed .
Conclusion : Few high quality studies were found that examined the effects of interventions in the office on musculoskeletal or visual health
Background : The literature examining the effects of workstation , eyewear and behavioral interventions on  musculoskeletal and visual symptoms among computer users is large and heterogeneous .
Methods : A systematic review of the literature used a best evidence synthesis approach to address the general question “ Do office interventions among computer users have an effect on musculoskeletal or visual health ? ”