A fantasy world, that exists only in our minds, provides us a place where we can mentally escape from everyday reality. Escapism, such as indulging in daydreams, allows us to experience comfort and makes us feel safe, eliminating feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. This study aims to use playfulness and reverie as a tool to access and confront mental discomforts. Transforming disturbing situations into an experience of reverie; a correction of unsatisfying reality, by converting a solid component of the real world into a desirable infinite form will provide alternative viewpoints. Throughout my work, this method has been employed to address personal phobias, violent conflicts, political insecurity, and racial inequality. It is my hope to employ daydreaming as a form of serious play to provide a new way of perceiving unsatisfying reality.

Computer technology has advanced rapidly in the past few decades and computers have become a very important and powerful tool in our everyday lives. Prolonged computer use by office workers has been reported to result in an increased risk of developing Work-related Neck and Upper Limb Disorders (WRNULD) (Bernard et al.. 1994: Faucett & Rempel. 1994: Tittiranonda et al.. 1999). The occupational risk factors associated with prolonged computer use include static posture and the speed and force of keyboard operation. Past studies have examined different aspects of these risk factors through measuring muscle electrical activity (EMG), kinematics and keyboard forces. However, most of these studies have been conducted on healthy painfree subjects and even the few Case-Control studies have not clearly established any direct relationships between the risk factors and WRNULD. The present research project consisted of a series of three studies aimed at investigating whether there were intrinsic differences among different individuals in response to different physical stressors. These intrinsic differences may have important implications to help explain why some individuals would develop WRNULD while others do not. The individuals' responses to the demands of three physical stressors: static posture, speed and force of keyboard operation were assessed. The internal exposure measures of kinematics, EMG, keyboard dynamics and subjective discomforts were used to evaluate the inter-individual differences. Study I was a field investigation comparing the neck-shoulder kinematics between symptomatic ("Case", n=8) and asymptomatic ("Control", n=8) office workers. Results showed trends for consistently greater head tilt and neck flexion angles, and greater ranges of movements in the Case Group than the Control Group. / The Case Group also exhibited a trend for increased acromion protraction compared to the Control Group. The Case Group also reported significantly greater discomfort scores compared to the Control Group. Neither the discomforts nor the kinematics displayed any significant changes over a working day. Study 2 was a laboratory study comparing the responses of Case and Control Groups in terms of EMG, kinematics and subjective discomforts, while a standardised computer task was performed continuously for one hour. The responses of Case (n=23) and Control (n=20) Groups were compared to examine the effects of static posture. The results showed similar trends to those in Study I, with increased neck flexion mean angles and ranges of movements in the Case Group compared to the Control Group. In terms of EMG results, there were trends for EMG amplitude differences in the right upper trapezius (UT) and cervical erector spinae (CES) muscles between Case and Control Groups. These trends became statistically significant when the Case subjects were sub-divided into the High (n=15) and Low (n=8) Groups based on their mean discomfort scores. Study 3 was also a laboratory study to compare the Case (n=21) and Control (n=20) Groups when they were challenged by the physical stressors of speed and force of keyboard operation. In this study, each subject's EMG and discomforts were examined in three typing conditions of normal speed and force, increased typing speed and increased typing force. The Case Group showed trends for higher increases in both UT and CES muscle activities than the Control Group, and when divided into the High-Low Groups, the High Group (n=8) showed trends for much higher muscle activities in all three conditions. / Beside muscle activity changes, the High Group subjects also demonstrated a trend for much higher within-subject Speed and Force Variabilities in their keystroke performance, compared to the Low Group and the Control Group. This result implied that the High Group subjects had a more erratic motor control of the keystroke actions. Based on these results, conceptual models were developed to describe the relationships among the physical stressors, internal exposure responses and discomforts. The Altered Motor Control Model refers to the programmed changes in motor control strategies involving muscle recruitment and joint movement patterns, and these changes were closely related to the subjects' musculoskeletal discomforts. The Heightened Sensitivity Model describes the higher sensitivity levels of individuals with more severe discomforts, in response to the demands of physical stressors. These models are closely related and heightened sensitivity may be an 'effect-modifier" of the motor control mechanisms and the perception of discomforts or pains within the individual. In conclusion, the present research has identified important differences between individuals on the basis of their motor control strategies which may contribute to the development of WRNULD. While the present research has mainly examined the individual responses to three physical stressors, it is possible that the models developed may be applicable to other physical stressors. These findings may also have important implications for future ergonomic research, emphasising the need to address interindividual differences in ergonomic interventions to workers. Further research should be directed towards better understanding of these intrinsic individual differences in both physical and non-physical factors that contribute to the development of WRNULD.

Koloskopi är en undersökning av tjocktarmen som förväntas öka i antal eftersom studiervisar att screening minskar dödligheten i kolorektalcancer. Patienten kan i vissa falluppleva undersökningen som smärtsam och obehaglig. Sjuksköterskan har enbetydelsefull roll i omvårdnaden. Syftet med studien var att belysa faktorer sompåverkar upplevelsen av smärta och obehag vid en koloskopiundersökning utansedering. Metoden var en litteraturstudie baserad på 19 vetenskapliga artiklar som harkvalitetsbedömts enligt protokoll. Vid analysen skapades tre övergripande kategorier.Fysiska faktorer som påverkar smärtupplevelsen, personlig upplevelse av smärta ochobehag samt patientens erfarenhet. I resultatet framkom följande huvudfynd. Skillnadenmellan hur kvinnor och män upplevde smärta, svårigheter med att mäta och bedömasmärta och obehag samt patientens erfarenhet och dess betydelse för smärtupplevelsen.Det är viktigt med en individanpassad smärthantering. Sjuksköterskan bör ha en adekvatsmärtutbildning och en bred erfarenhet för att kunna ge en god omvårdnad vidkoloskopiundersökningen. / Colonoscopy is an examination of the colon, which is expected to increase in numbersince studies show that screening reduces mortality from colorectal cancer. The patientmay sometimes feel that the examination is painful and unpleasant. The nurse has animportant role in the care of the patient. The aim of this study was to elucidate factorsaffecting the experience of pain and discomfort during a colonoscopy without sedation.The method was a literature review based on 19 scientific articles that have beenassessed according to quality protocols. The analysis generated three broad categories.Physical factors affecting the experience of pain, personal experience of pain anddiscomfort, and the patient's experience. The results revealed the following keyfindings: The difference between how men and women experienced pain, difficulty inmeasuring and assessing pain and discomfort and the patient's experience and itsrelevance to pain. It is important to have an individualized pain management plan. Thenurse should have an adequate pain education and wide experience in order to providegood care during colonoscopy.

Professional truck drivers are highly exposed to fatigue and work related injuries. Truck drivers are common victims of musculoskeletal disorders, frequently suffering from pain symptoms particularly in the neck, shoulder and lower back. This situation is believed to be a contributor to the high absenteeism in this job category. A high percentage of this problem is due to the adoption of an unhealthy driving posture resulting from inappropriate seat design. This incorrect and poor design is owing to the insufficient and obsolete anthropometrical data which has been used for decades for arranging and positioning components in the driver environment. The main objective of the present study was to create and construct a mathematical model which clarifies and predicts the drivers’ comfortable sitting posture and position. It was hypothesized that the length and height characteristics of some body segments as well as the body weight and waist circumference of the driver have a great impact on the selection of a specific sitting posture. The steering wheel positions as well as the pedal/floor locations were hypothesized to be highly correlated to the driver’s selected posture and the corresponding comfort. The effect of the seat position on posture selection and related comfort assessments constituted the other hypothesis of the study which received extra attention. A laboratory experiment on a Scania truck cab mock-up was conducted. The seat track travel along a vertical as well as horizontal forward-backward path was obtained by mounting the seat on the motorized rigid frame which allowed unrestricted vertical and fore-aft travel. The seat cushion angle and backrest angle were adjusted by pivoting the entire seat and backrest around a lateral axis and independently. The pedal components were mounted on a motorized platform, thus allowing unrestricted fore-aft and height travel without any changes in the pedal angles. The steering wheel was mounted on the instrument panel by two independent pneumatic axes which allowed a wide range of adjustments including tilting and moving along the sagittal plane for adjusting the height and distance. The test plan called for 55 international highly experienced heavy truck drivers. The drivers were recruited to span a large range of body weight and stature, in particular to ensure adequate representation of both the extreme as well as the normal group of drivers. The drivers filled in a general information questionnaire before undergoing the anthropometrical measurements and thereafter the test trials. The experiment contained a subset of test conditions with five different trials using random selection sampling procedure. Drivers were asked to adjust the components in a wide range of trajectory according to a written protocol. A sparse set of threedimensional body landmark locations and the corresponding comfort assessments were recorded. As the main part of the result, the mathematical models using multiple regression analyses on selected body landmarks as well as anthropometrical measures were developed which proposed a linear correlation between parameters. The differences between the observed data and the corresponding predicted data using the model were found to be minimal and almost dispensable. Additionally, the drivers preferred to sit in the rearmost position and at a rather high level relative to the rest of the available and adjustable area. Considering the normal adjustable seat area of the cab, only a very small part of the observed Hpoint data lies within this area while a large remaining amount of data lies outside of it. Moreover, the difference between the observation (plotted H-point data) and the neutral H-point was found to be significant. Furthermore, and since some of the data lies almost on the border of the adjustable area, it may indicate a reasonable tendency for even more seat adjustment in the backward direction. A conceptual model consisting of four different parameters was developed and presented in the end. These parameters of the model suggest being as key factors which play a central role on process of decision making regarding the selection of a desirable sitting posture. Any eventual modifications and adjustments for elimination or minimizing discrepancies, biases or obscured factors affecting the quality of the mathematical model would be a case for future study. The investigation of a complete assessment of comfort should be supplemented with an analysis of how many truck drivers are satisfied with the comfort in the end. / QC 20100824

Stickrädsla förekommer bland personer i alla åldrar och kan i vissa fall leda till att den som är stickrädd undviker att uppsöka sjukvård, något som kan påverka personens hälsa. Eftersom blodprovstagningar, injektioner och infusioner utförs varje dag inom sjukvården finns risken att sjuksköterskan förr eller senare träffar på en vuxen person som är stickrädd. Syftet med litteraturstudien var att beskriva vilka omvårdnadsåtgärder som kan lindra obehag hos vuxna personer med stickrädsla. Resultatet från vetenskapliga publikationer pekar på att olika lindrande omvårdnadsåtgärder finns att tillgå. Studier visar att bemötandet från vårdpersonalen och psykoterapeutiska metoder kan ha betydelse för personer som är rädda för att bli stuckna. Information och undervisning innefattar omvårdnadsåtgärder som kan bidra till ökad självständighet och livskvalitet, när stickrädslan minskar. Även anpassning av medicinteknik och användning av lokalbedövande läkemedel kan dämpa upplevelsen av obehag för den som är stickrädd, vilket kan leda till att en behandlings följsamhet blir bättre. Genom kunskap om lindrande omvårdnadsåtgärder kan vårdpersonal reducera obehag för vårdsökande personer som upplever stickrädsla vid användning av kanyler. Därigenom kan vårdkvaliteten för den som är stickrädd öka och vårdkontakten bli en positiv upplevelse. / Needle fear exists among people of all ages and might lead to avoidance of medical attention, which can affect the person's health. As blood tests, injections and infusions are performed on daily basis in healthcare, there is a possibility that nurses sooner or later will meet adults who are afraid of needles. The purpose of this study was to describe interventions that can ease discomfort for adults with fear of needles. The results of scientific publications indicate that different interventions are available. Studies show that the response from caregivers and psychotherapeutic methods may be important for people who are afraid of being stung. Information and education includes interventions that may contribute to a greater independence and quality of life, when needle fear decreases. Also adjustment of medical technology and use of local anesthetic drugs can reduce the experience of discomfort for those who are afraid of needles, which could lead to improvement of treatment adherence. Through knowledge of which interventions that can ease needle fear, caregivers can reduce discomfort for persons in need of care when cannulas are used. This increases healthcare quality, concerning those who are afraid of needles and the contact will become a satisfying experience.

The increasing level of computerization in design and engineering work has led to development of software such as Digital Human Modeling (DHM) Tools. These tools are used to simulate and visualize human work as well as evaluating ergonomic conditions. The ergonomic assessment methods based on observations, such as OWAS and RULA, are used for characterizing static load and are usually integrated in DHM tools. Researchers now aims at developing assessment methods of dynamic work where even time-dependent variables are taken into account. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a concept for quantification of wrist movements in flexion and extension, based on three exposure variables; angular position, angular velocity and repetitiveness. The concept is intended to form the basis for further development of a comprehensive assessment method for wrist movements, adapted for use in DHM tools. Such an approach is necessary because of the large amount of work-related cumulative disorders, reported from industry. The method approach contained a literature review, an establishment of concept content, a collection of motion data using goniometry and computer programming, in order to illustrate the function of the concept. The result proposed a quantification concept for wrist movements in flexion and extension, concerning angular position exposure, angular velocity level exposure and repetitiveness. The concept is based on a combination of modified and established evaluation methods, including suggestions for how to identify fundamental cycles, in order to determine repetitiveness. The presented concept provides a basis for further development of a comprehensive assessment method and highlights deficiencies in the lack of existing definitions concerning exposure threshold values. / Den ökande datoriseringen av konstruktion och produktionsplanering har lett till utveckling av mjukvaror såsom Digital Human Modeling (DHM)-verktyg. Dessa används för att simulera och visualisera människors arbete samt utvärdera ergonomiska förhållanden. De metoder som används för detta bygger på observation av statiska positioner, exempelvis OWAS och RULA, vilka i de flesta fall finns implementerade i DHM-verktygen. Forskare strävar nu efter att utveckla ergonomiska bedömningsmetoder av dynamiskt arbete där även tidsberoende variabler beaktas. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att utveckla ett koncept för kvantifiering av handledsrörelser i flexion och extension, med avseende på handledsposition, vinkelhastighet och repetitivitet. Konceptet ska ligga till grund för vidare utveckling mot en komplett bedömningsmetod av handledsrörelser, anpassade för användning i DHM-verktyg. En sådan är nödvändig på grund av den stora mängd arbetsrelaterade belastningsskor som rapporteras från industrin. Genomförandet bestod av litteraturstudier, beslut om konceptinnehåll, insamling av rörelsedata för handleden med hjälp av en electrogoniometer samt programmering för att illustrera kvantifieringskonceptet i siffror samt för att förenkla implementering i DHM-verktyg. Resultatet visar ett kvantifieringskoncept för handledsrörelser i flexion/extension med avseende på de ovan givna exponeringsvariablerna, samt ett förslag på hur identifikation av fundamentala cykler kan ske. Detta för att ge en uppfattning om graden av repetitivitet. Det presenterade konceptet i denna rapport ger en grund för fortsatt utveckling mot en heltäckande bedömningsmetod, samt belyser svårigheter i definitioner av exponeringsgränsvärden.

<b>Purpose:</b> Assess the relationship between tear film drying and sensation between blinks. <b>Methods:</b> MATLAB sampled a slitlamp video camera, a potentiometer and a microphone while subjects kept one eye open for as long as possible. 23 subjects rated the intensity of the ocular sensation while video and voice data were collected simultaneously. The tear drying on the cornea was measured. <b>Results:</b> The sensation was triphasic. Two linear functions described the latter 2 parts of the data (r &#8805; 0. 95). The correlation between TBUT and the elbow in the time-discomfort function was 0. 72. Extent of tear film drying was linearly correlated to time (median correlation = 0. 88). The correlation between the discomfort elbow and image elbow was 0. 93 with single data pair for each subject. Analysis of sensation characteristics showed significant differences between itching and burning for both intensity and time (p = 0. 03 and p = 0. 02 respectively). <b>Conclusions:</b> Simultaneous recording of ocular surface appearance, discomfort intensity and attributes of sensation provide novel information about the development of discomfort during ocular surface drying. The rapid increase in discomfort proceeding blinking has been quantified and the relationship between the time course of drying and discomfort is elucidated.

This work was undertaken to investigate the perceived problem of Thermal Discomfort in Malawi. One observable effect of thermal discomfort was the amount of foreign exchange that was spent to import air conditioning devices. The purpose of the work was to find out, and quantify the problem of thermal discomfort and outline its effects to the people and country. In order to investigate the problem of thermal discomfort in depth in a place where the necessary data hardly existed a lot of work had to be done. The work has been outlined in four stages of research, analysis and documentation and these are as follows 1 Literature Review The subject of Thermal Comfort appears to be location specific, but the general principles are universal. In that context it was necessary to read widely on both historical and contemporary current work. The problem of thermal comfort in general was being discussed as early as 1758 and still remains a big area of research and discussion today. A considerable number of literature that specifically relate to the problem of thermal comfort in the tropics has been reviewed. The problem of scales for thermal comfort measurement has been discussed in detail. It is still not possible to quote a scale that is satisfactory. However, the recent approach of Adaptive Thermal Comfort Model seems to be closer to the answer than the others 2 Analysing Existing Relevant Information And Data In Malawi In the course of this work it was found out that quite a large amount of useful data existed in Malawi. However, this data was not standardised. Most of this data had to be cleaned and updated. Some of the old formulae are quoted in their original formats in order not to confuse the referencing. The data that exists in Malawi has been recorded on three types of instruments; namely the Gunn Bellum Spherical Pyranometer, the Camp Bell Stoke Sunshine Recorder and the Eppley Pyranometer. Most of the data was recorded using the Camp Bell Stokes Sunshine Recorder. The data recorded on the Gunn Bellum Spherical Pyranometer had to be related to that from the Camp Bell Stokes Sunshine Recorder. The former gave data that was more accurate as was found out when a comparison was made with data recorded on an Eppley Pyranometer. A paper on this subject was accepted for publication in the Renewable Energy Journal of WREN. Wind speeds, air temperatures, and humidity have been analysed to investigate the severity of thermal discomfort relative to locations in Malawi. This has resulted in the identification of three climatic zones. A tool for testing Thermal Discomfort severity of a location by calculating number Degree Days (D. d) if the altitude (AL) has been developed; as D. d = -575.994 In AL + 4226.6 3 Field Measurements In order to investigate some of the issues that came out of this work, it was felt simpler to conduct field measurements. For example it would have been possible to build typical experimental houses, and extract performance data on Thermal Comfort from these buildings. However, this approach would have been very expensive. On the other hand it was felt that it was possible to find in the field that were representative of typical buildings and could be prepared and tested to extract performance data for use in the work. The latter approach was adopted and has proved to be more realistic than the former. 4 Field Surveys There were certain areas where the only way to find information was not to conduct experiments but to conduct field conduct surveys. This was done once to find the Preferred Bath Water Temperature (PBWT) and deduce the Neutral Temperature Range for Malawi. This yielded very useful results. The first published paper on this work was in this area (copy of this publication is attached). The second area of field survey was to survey traditional buildings in seven selected districts stretching from latitude 9°S to 17°S; covering a terrestrial distance of over 1000 km; over altitudes from 52 to over 1600 metres above mean sea level (m. a. m. s. l). This again yielded very useful environmental data that explained why traditional buildings have certain structural elements as functions of the environment and the need to achieve Thermal Comfort. A number of useful equations have been developed. From that sub routine of this research of PBWT survey an equation was developed that related the bath temperature (h) to the air temperature (tab) as; tb =0.3772 tab + 36.4401. Part of this work was also published separately in 2001. From this equation the Thermal Comfort Temperature Range for Malawi was deduced as 22-27°C. From the survey of the traditional buildings, a number of structural elements were that are functions of Thermal Comfort were identified as derivatives of the desire to have Thermal Comfort in the buildings. A regression equation that can give values of irradiation of the locality in MJm 1 Day' was developed. Lastly the results have been extracted as recommendations directed at policy makers, and both Architects and Engineers to use this data and the results in their design work. It is also further recommended that the national buildings regulations could be updated and revised to incorporate some of the findings. It is strongly believed that some of the findings will be incorporated to update the two main Laws that regulate Public Health in Malawi. These are the Public Health Act; Cap. 34.01, and the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1977; of the Malawi Laws. All data that has been cleaned up or measured specifically for this work has been organised and tabulated into ready-to-use tables and are included.

The skin of the palm of the hand has no friction. It is only when in contact with other objects that frictional forces appear. This friction does not, however, conform to the classic laws of friction. The thesis shows that static skin friction is lower than dynamic friction, and that increased velocity increases the coefficient of friction, but increasing load reduces it. Consequently, references to coefficient of friction where palm skin is one of the friction partners require velocity, surface pressure and skin conditions to be specified in addition to contaminants in the friction interface, before reliable conclusions can be drawn. Eleven textured and one non-textured samples all made from the same material were investigated using eighteen male subjects. They were exposed to five contaminants, three skin conditions, three levels ofload and velocities in the range 2-128 mm/so It was concluded that velocity in the friction interface is the most dominant factor contributing to palm friction. Only small, non-significant, differences in friction were found between different types of textures under non-contaminated conditions, but major, and significant differences were observed under contaminated conditions. Coarse textures increased discomfort. For static- and dynamic friction the type of texture, coarse or fine, will affect friction in different ways depending on the skin conditions being "clean" or "contaminated." Experiments show that coarse textures generate less friction than fine under the clean conditions. Under contaminated conditions however coarse textures generate more friction than fine. The highest coefficient offriction 1-1=2.22 (SO=1.12) was recorded under dynamic conditions for a clean hand on a non-textured surface when the surface pressure was low - 6.3 kPa (SO 2.1). The lowest coefficient offriction 1-1=0.05 (SO=0.03) was found under static conditions, with lard present on a non-textured surface when the surface pressure was high - 81.4 kPa (SO=31.0). Two regression models were developed. Regression coefficients are presented for surface topography variables as well as skin condition and contamination, velocity surface pressure and discomfort. Two new surface topography representations explain the generation of friction forces. The uppermost 5% of the volume of texture peaks provided significant information for transfer offriction forces.

Para acompanhar o avanço tecnológico e a competitividade, faz-se necessário proporcionar ao trabalhador condições para que ele possa desenvolver suas atividades com conforto e segurança (CHIAVENATO, 1999). Entre as estratégias utilizadas destacam-se a Ergonomia e os programas educacionais que atuam nas diferentes formas de prevenção relacionadas ao trabalho (LAURELL e NORIEGA, 1989). Diferentes autores (VIEL e ESNAULT, 2000; BRANDIMILLER, 1999; GRAF, GUGGENBÜHL e KRUEGER, 1995; SOUZA, 1995 entre outros) concordam que a posição sentada estática pode gerar sobrecarga na estrutura ósteomuscular. Na busca da variabilidade postural, na posição sentada, são apontadas mudanças ergonômicas. Entretanto, Coury e Rodgher (1997), destacam que fatores biomecânicos e psicossociais também podem interferir na postura do trabalhador. Diante disso, o objetivo principal deste estudo foi verificar a interferência da Escola Postural no Trabalho (EPTRA) e do uso de mobiliário ergonômico sobre o comportamento postural na posição sentada. Os objetivos específicos foram: (1) analisar, (2) comparar e (3) classificar o comportamento postural, na posição sentada, em sete regiões corporais, em dois momentos da jornada laboral; (4) Identificar a variabilidade e repetitividade do comportamento postural, na posição sentada; (5) identificar o nível de desconforto corporal, (6) traçar um paralelo entre o desconforto corporal e o comportamento postural, na posição sentada e (7) identificar como os participantes da EPTRA perceberam sua postura corporal. Utilizou-se uma metodologia predominantemente quantitativa. Os participantes do estudo eram servidores da Justiça Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (n=142), com idade de 21 a 64 anos (x =39,28; ±9,38), dos sexos masculino e feminino que trabalhavam na posição sentada. Eles foram divididos em quatro grupos: (1) Participantes da EPTRA que não utilizavam mobiliário ergonômico; (2) Usuários de mobiliário ergonômico; (3) Participantes da EPTRA que utilizavam mobiliário ergonômico; (4) Participantes que não sofreram qualquer intervenção. A EPTRA foi composta de 26 encontros de trinta minutos, em dias pré-definidos e dois encontros personalizados no posto de trabalho. O mobiliário ergonômico foi implantado com enfoque macroergonômico e de acordo com as necessidades da instituição. Os instrumentos de medida quantitativa foram: (1) avaliação da postura sentada (APSE) e (2) escala análogo-visual de desconforto corporal. (4) Identificar a variabilidade e repetitividade do comportamento postural, na posição sentada; (5) identificar o nível de desconforto corporal, (6) traçar um paralelo entre o desconforto corporal e o comportamento postural, na posição sentada e (7) identificar como os participantes da EPTRA perceberam sua postura corporal. Utilizou-se uma metodologia predominantemente quantitativa. Os participantes do estudo eram servidores da Justiça Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (n=142), com idade de 21 a 64 anos (x =39,28; ±9,38), dos sexos masculino e feminino que trabalhavam na posição sentada. Eles foram divididos em quatro grupos: (1) Participantes da EPTRA que não utilizavam mobiliário ergonômico; (2) Usuários de mobiliário ergonômico; (3) Participantes da EPTRA que utilizavam mobiliário ergonômico; (4) Participantes que não sofreram qualquer intervenção. A EPTRA foi composta de 26 encontros de trinta minutos, em dias pré-definidos e dois encontros personalizados no posto de trabalho. O mobiliário ergonômico foi implantado com enfoque macroergonômico e de acordo com as necessidades da instituição. Os instrumentos de medida quantitativa foram: (1) avaliação da postura sentada (APSE) e (2) escala análogo-visual de desconforto corporal. Diante dos resultados apresentados pode-se inferir que os participantes da EPTRA mostraram maior variabilidade e melhor classificação do comportamento postural do que os usuários de mobiliário ergonômico. / In order to keep track of technological advances and competitiveness it becomes necessary to provide employees with good work conditions. So, they can be able to develop their activities comfortably and safely (CHIAVENATO, 1999). Amongst the used strategies are ergonomic and educational programs focusing at different prevention ways related to work (LAURELL and NORIEGA, 1989). Authors (VIEL and ESNAULT, 2000; BRANDIMILLER, 1999; GRAF, GUGGENBÜHL and KRUEGER, 1995; SOUZA, 1995 amongst others) agree that the static sitting position can generate osteomuscular overload. Researching for postural variability at the sitting position some ergonomic changes are pointed. However, Coury and Rodgher (1997) emphasize that biomechanical and social factors also can interfere at workers posture. In the face of all this background the primary objective of this study was to verify the influence of the Back School at the Workplace Program (BSWP) and the utilization of ergonomic furniture under the postural behavior of employees at the sitting position. The specific objectives were: (1) analyze, (2) compare and (3) classify the postural behavior at the sitting position in seven body regions in two different moments of the work journey; (4) identify the variability and repetitiveness of postural behavior at the sitting position; (5) identify the level of body discomfort; (6) delineate a parallel between the body discomfort and postural behavior at the sitting position and (7) identify how the BSWP participants perceived their body posture. A predominantly quantitative methodology was performed. The participants were civil servants of Federal Justice of Rio Grande do Sul (n=142), ages ranging from 21 to 64 years old (x=39,28; +-9,38) male and female genders working at the sitting position. They were divided in four groups: (1) participants of BSWP that did not utilize ergonomic furniture; (2) users of ergonomic furniture; (3) participants of BSWP that did utilize ergonomic furniture; (4) participants that did not undergo any intervention. The BSWP consisted of 26 sessions of 30 minutes each in pre-determined days and two personalized sessions at the workplace. The ergonomic furniture was set with macro ergonomic focus and according to the institution needs. The quantitative measurement instruments were: (1) assessment of the sitting posture (ASP) and (2) analogous-visual scale of body discomfort. The qualitative assessment utilized a semi-structured interview with pre-determined categories according to the quantitative variables. The inter-groups ASP results demonstrated changes in the postural behavior in participants (groups) of BSWP both at the beginning (group 1=pelvis region p<0,01*; group 3=scapular waistline region p<0,01*) and the end of work journey (group 3=scapular waistline region p=0,05* and knee region <0,01*). Group 2 showed statistical difference in cervical region (p<0,01*) and knee region (p<0,01*). Through the comparison of the postural behavior (the beginning with the end of the work journey) it was verified that groups 1 and 3 showed significant increase in the mean postural indexes while groups 2 and 4 displayed no variation. Concerning to the classification of postural behavior it was verified that groups 1 and 3 had more significant results at both the reference and higher risk postures. The analogous-visual scale showed no significant difference between groups in body discomfort. At the qualitative interview the BSWP participants mentioned a reduction in the body discomfort during the work journey and also that they have done adaptations in their workplace independently of being formerly ergonomic or not. Before the presented results it is possible to deduce that BSWP participants showed higher and better postural behavior variability and classification, respectively than the ergonomic furniture users.