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Hanieh Khaliliyan1 
, Mahmood Bahramizadeh *2 , Morteza Faghih Jouibari3 , Majid Ansari4 , Kavita Batra5 , Farhad Ghaffari6 , Arash Sharafatvaziri7 , Amir Reza Vosoughi8 , Hicham Khabbache9 , Francesco Chirico10
, Mahmood Bahramizadeh *2 , Morteza Faghih Jouibari3 , Majid Ansari4 , Kavita Batra5 , Farhad Ghaffari6 , Arash Sharafatvaziri7 , Amir Reza Vosoughi8 , Hicham Khabbache9 , Francesco Chirico10
1- Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
2- Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of neurosurgery, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5- Department of Medical Education and Office of Research, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.
6- Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
7- Center for Orthopedic Trans-Disciplinary Applied Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
8- Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
9- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences Fès-Saïss, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez- Morocco.
10- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.
2- Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of neurosurgery, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5- Department of Medical Education and Office of Research, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.
6- Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
7- Center for Orthopedic Trans-Disciplinary Applied Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
8- Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
9- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences Fès-Saïss, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez- Morocco.
10- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.
Abstract: (25 Views)
Purpose: The current study reviews the impact of ergonomic chairs on clinical and biomechanical outcomes for seated workers.
Methods: We adhered to the PRISMA guidelines to determine article eligibility and evaluated methodological quality using the PEDro scale. The strength of the evidence was appraised following the GRADE framework. A narrative synthesis was then conducted to summarize the extracted data in descriptive form.
Results: 32 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis, involving a total of 1,637 participants. The review showed that ergonomic chair designs have mixed results for pain reduction, with some improvements but not consistently across studies. Positive and consistent outcomes were observed in comfort enhancement. The impact on disability was not significant, while benefits were noted in reducing spinal shrinkage and altering muscle activation. Furthermore, ergonomic chairs influenced energy expenditure, body kinematics, and pressure distribution, with dynamic and custom-designed systems enhancing trunk muscle activation. Adjustable chair features positively affected joint posture.
Conclusion: The ergonomic chair, especially when dynamic and adjustable, provides comfort and biomechanical support to seated workers, although the benefits regarding pain reduction are inconsistent. These findings suggest that choosing ergonomically designed chairs is a positive step toward workplace wellness. Further research is needed to standardize designs and optimize interventions for various occupational settings.
Methods: We adhered to the PRISMA guidelines to determine article eligibility and evaluated methodological quality using the PEDro scale. The strength of the evidence was appraised following the GRADE framework. A narrative synthesis was then conducted to summarize the extracted data in descriptive form.
Results: 32 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis, involving a total of 1,637 participants. The review showed that ergonomic chair designs have mixed results for pain reduction, with some improvements but not consistently across studies. Positive and consistent outcomes were observed in comfort enhancement. The impact on disability was not significant, while benefits were noted in reducing spinal shrinkage and altering muscle activation. Furthermore, ergonomic chairs influenced energy expenditure, body kinematics, and pressure distribution, with dynamic and custom-designed systems enhancing trunk muscle activation. Adjustable chair features positively affected joint posture.
Conclusion: The ergonomic chair, especially when dynamic and adjustable, provides comfort and biomechanical support to seated workers, although the benefits regarding pain reduction are inconsistent. These findings suggest that choosing ergonomically designed chairs is a positive step toward workplace wellness. Further research is needed to standardize designs and optimize interventions for various occupational settings.
Keywords: Chair, Musculoskeletal disorder, Public health, Health promotion, Sitting posture, Sedentary worker
Type of Study: Systematic Review |
Subject:
Occupational Therapy
Received: 2025/10/6 | Accepted: 2025/10/14
Received: 2025/10/6 | Accepted: 2025/10/14
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