Underlying Research

Scientific research has shown that taking brief micro-breaks – lasting a minute or two and strategically placed during the day – can substantially reduce employee risk of developing injuries as well as increasing the accuracy of people using computers.

There have been numerous studies conducted by major universities and government agencies which confirm the efficacy of the concepts within Magnitude’s ergonomic solution tools:

Strategic Rest Breaks Reduce VDT Discomforts Without Impairing Productivity
NIOSH Study at Internal Revenue Service, 2000

Other Published Studies ($)

Atroshi, I., Gummesson, C., Johnsson, R., Ornstein, E., Ranstam, J., Rosen, I. “Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in a General Population.” The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA 1999;282:153-158).

Janaro, R.E., Bechtold, S.E. “A Study of the Reduction of Fatigue Impact on Productivity through Optimal Rest Break Scheduling.” The Human Factors Society, 1985, 27(4), pages 459-465.

Henning, R.A., Sauter, S.L., Salvendy, G., Krieg, E.F. “Micro-break length, performance, and stress in a data entry task.” Ergonomics, 1989, 32(7), pages 855-862.

Henning, R.A., Jacques, P., Kissel, G.V., Sullivan, A.B., & Alteras-Webb, S.M. “Frequent, Short Breaks During Computer Work: The Effects on Productivity and Well-Being in a Field Study.” Work with Display Units 92, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1993, pages 292-295.

Henning, R.A., Ortega, A.M., Callaghan, E.A., Kissel, G.V. “Self management of rest breaks by VDT users.” Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 38th Annual Meeting, 1994.

Henning, R.A., Callaghan, E.A., Ortega, A.M., Kissel, G.V., Guttman, J.I., Braun, H.A. “Continuous feedback to promote self-management of rest breaks during computer use.” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 18 (1996), pages 71-82.

Henning, R.A., Jacques, P., Kissel, G.V., Sullivan, A.B., Alteras-Webb, S.M. “Frequent, short breaks from computer work: effects on productivity and well being at two field sites.” Ergonomics, 40 (1), 1997, pages 78-91.

Hedge, A. “Effects of Ergonomic Management Software on Employee Performance.” Cornell Human Factors Laboratory Technical Report /SP7991, Cornell University, July 1999.

Hedge, A. “Ergonomic Management Software and Work Performance: An Evaluative Study” Cornell Human Factors Laboratory Technical Report /RP001120, Cornell University, February 2001.