Thermal Comfort of Different Desktop Materials

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to test the suitability of different types of desk surfaces. The investigators will test 10 different surfaces (oak-ruff, oak-varnished, oak-oiled, spruce-ruff, spruce-varnished, spruce-oiled, particleboard laminate, particleboard veneer, corian and glass). Firstly, the investigators will perform tests to assess physical characteristics of the materials (thermal conductivity, hardness, roughness, skid measures). Secondly, the investigators will measure the participants' forearm skin temperature after 20-minutes of using each desk surface. During those 20 minutes the participants will solve an attention test.

Detailed Description
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People are surrounded by objects that are made of different materials. These materials should be carefully chosen, especially the ones that are in direct contact with user's skin. Office workers are constantly in contact with desk surface (while reading, typing, filling in forms, etc.). Therefore, it is important that the material of desk surface is suitable and properly chosen. It should be both functional and aesthetic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the suitability of different desk surfaces for sedentary workers. The investigators will test 10 different surfaces (oak-ruff, oak-varnished, oak-oiled, spruce-ruff, spruce-varnished, spruce-oiled, particleboard laminate, particleboard veneer, corian and glass). All surfaces will be square shaped (800x800 mm). Firstly, the investigators will perform tests to assess physical characteristics of the materials (thermal conductivity, hardness, roughness, skid measures). Secondly, the investigators will measure the participants' forearm skin temperature after 20-minutes of desk use. Every participant will test all 10 sample desk surfaces (cross-over design). The investigators will use thermal IR camera to measure the temperature of participant's skin surface. The investigators will measure the temperature before and after the contact with desk surface. During those 20 minutes the participant will solve an attention test to assess the impact of different materials on attention. At the end, the participants will answer a questionnaire about the suitability of the material.

Official Title
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Effects of Different Desktop Materials on Thermal Comfort and Attention

Conditions
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Office Desk Ergonomics

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Desk surface


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: aged between 18 and 35 Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy pain presence in any musculoskeletal part > 3 on 10-level scale

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Desk surface|The participants will test all 10 desk surfaces and will be randomly allocated to one of the desks each time.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change of the skin temperature measured on forearm | Skin temperature in the forearm will be measured with Infrared thermal camera. Thermal camera is suitable for the measurements since it is a reliable tool for measuring skin temperature. The temperature is presented in Celsius degrees. Moreover, thermal camera provides a thermal picture indicating temperature distribution in the space. | at the beginning and after 20 minutes of using desk surface | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Attention test | The attention test will be performed on computer. On the computer screen letters P and R will appear. Each time the letter R appears the participant will have to click ''space''. If a letter P appears the participant should not react. | 180 seconds | 
| Adjusted Mood and feelings questionnaire | The questionnaire consists of two questions. One is asking the participant about their current mood. The second question is asking the participant about their current arousal. The participant answers both questions using a 9-level scale (1 meaning not at all and 9 meaning very much). There is no total value of the questionnaire. Also, higher or lower values do not represent better or worse outcome. | 180 seconds | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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desk surface, thermal comfort, ergonomics, attention