Document Type

Report

College

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Department

Occupational Therapy

Degree

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Report Date

5-2025

Faculty Mentor

Murray, Erin

Doctoral Experiential Coordinator

Latour, Debra

Abstract

University students are at heightened risk of chronic pain and mental health challenges due to academic stress, poor sleep, and inadequate ergonomics in classroom settings. Musculoskeletal pain is especially common among students in healthcare fields, including occupational therapy, where the demands of the profession increase the importance of proper body mechanics. Despite being taught ergonomic principles, many students lack access to ergonomically appropriate learning environments. This study aims to explore how ergonomic modifications and education affect the physical and mental well-being of occupational therapy graduate students. A four-week randomized control trial was conducted with 19 students from Western New England University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. Participants were assigned to either a control group (n=9) or an experimental group (n=10) using stratified randomization. The experimental group received ergonomic equipment (lumbar cushion, armrests, footrests, wrist pads) and education on proper posture and workstation setup. Weekly surveys measured physical health (pain and fatigue) and mental health (perceived stress, motivation, focus) using validated Likert scales and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Data was analyzed using t-tests to compare outcomes between groups. Compared to the control group, the experimental group reported lower perceived stress scores (p<.05), higher motivation (p<.10), and reduced pain levels (p<.10). These findings support the hypothesis that ergonomic interventions positively influence both physical and mental health outcomes in university students. The study demonstrates that ergonomic modifications combined with educational programming can effectively reduce stress and pain while improving motivation among occupational therapy students. These findings highlight the critical role of ergonomic design in educational settings and support the inclusion of occupational therapists in planning and implementing these interventions. Ergonomic awareness and accessibility are essential for preventing musculoskeletal disorders and promoting student well-being, particularly in healthcare education programs.

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