Reduction of Stress of Seated Reading Postures for Desk with Built-in Bookholder and Desktop-mounted Sliding Drawer

Objective: This study aims to develop a new desk with a built-in bookholder and desktop-mounted sliding drawer for reducing stress of seated reading postures and to analyze its effect. Background: It is general for readers to bend their back and neck when reading books on desks, which may result in high back and neck postural stress. In addition, postures using vertically layered drawers positioned at the side of users may be awkward. Method: For reducing the postural stress, a new desk with a built-in bookholder and sliding drawer was developed based on a standard of KS G 4208 for student desk. The muscle activities of reading postures on both existing and new desks were measured using EMG, in which seven male and three female college students participated. The postural stress, and musculoskeletal discomfort and ease of usage for existing and new drawers were analyzed by RULA and questionnaire survey, respectively. Results: Compared to existing desk, the muscle activity for the new desk with a bookholder was reduced by 47% when reading books. In addition, musculoskeletal discomforts in the shoulder, neck and low back were significantly lower when using the new desk with a bookholder. Although the stresses for postures using the desktop-mounted sliding drawer and general drawer were not significantly different, the questionnaire survey revealed that the new desktop-mounted sliding drawer is easier to use. Conclusion: A new desk developed in this study significantly reduced postural stress and enhanced subjective preference when reading. Application: This would be useful when developing new desks with low postural stress.