Clinical trial NCT03733366: Thermal Comfort of Different Desktop Materials
Official title: Effects of Different Desktop Materials on Thermal Comfort and Attention
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Office Desk Ergonomics
Keywords: desk surface
thermal comfort
ergonomics
attention
Lead sponsor: University of Primorska
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Innorenew CoE
First posted: 2018-11-07
Enrollment: 16
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 35
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: 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: 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.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* aged between 18 and 35

Exclusion Criteria:

* pregnancy
* pain presence in any musculoskeletal part \> 3 on 10-level scale

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change of the skin temperature measured on forearm
timeFrame: at the beginning and after 20 minutes of using desk surface
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Attention test
timeFrame: 180 seconds
measure: Adjusted Mood and feelings questionnaire
timeFrame: 180 seconds
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Izola
country: Slovenia
facility: Faculty of Health Sciences
Study officials:
affiliation: Faculty of health sciences, University of Primorska
name: Nejc Sarabon, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: