Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
About Ergonomics
Ergonomics looks at what kind of work you do, what tools you use and your whole job environment. The aim is to find the best fit between you and your job conditions. Examples of ergonomic changes to your work might include:
- Adjusting the position of your computer keyboard to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome
- Being sure that the height of your desk chair allows your feet to rest flat on the floor
- Learning the right way to lift heavy objects to prevent back injuries
- Using handle coatings or special gloves to suppress vibrations from power tools
- Making sure that you have good posture in whatever you do, whether it is sitting in front of a computer, standing at a checkout, or walking around a warehouse
No matter what the job is, the goal is to make sure that you are safe, comfortable, and less prone to work-related injuries.
It sits within Bones, Joints and Muscles, Wellness and Lifestyle and Safety Issues.
When to speak to someone. Reading about a topic cannot tell you whether it applies to you. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms are severe, sudden, getting worse, or simply not going away — and seek emergency care immediately for chest pain, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness or confusion, or a serious allergic reaction.
Research on Ergonomics
173 studies areregistered for this condition on ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's public registry. A selection is below — the links go straight to the registry entry, not to a summary of ours.
What a registered study does and does not mean. Registration means a study exists and has been declared publicly. It says nothing about whether the treatment being tested works, is safe, or is available to you. Many studies find no benefit — that is what research is for. Never seek out an experimental treatment on the strength of a registry entry alone.
Research currently under way
- Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Program in Office WorkersIstanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Surgical Ergonomics in OBGYNUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
- A Digital Ergonomics Assessment of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Between Female and Male Physical Therapists.Cairo University
- Posture Protection Program for Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomic Risk in Hospital Cleaning StaffAkdeniz University
- The Impact of Back-supporting Exoskeletons for Manual Order Picking in Danish Warehouses - The RELAX ProjectAalborg University
- Multi-speed Ergonomic WheelchairVA Office of Research and Development
Research already completed
- Posture Exercises and Ergonomics EducationBahçeşehir University
- The Effectiveness of Exercise Combined With Ergonomics Training for Musculoskeletal Pain Seen in Pastry ChefsUskudar University
- Postural Awareness and Musculoskeletal ComplaintsRecep Tayyip Erdogan University
- Chair-Integrated Foam Modifications in CoccydyniaKTO Karatay University
- Workstation Ergonomics Program at Al-Baha UniversityAl-Baha University
- Effectiveness of Exercises Given Along With Ergonomics Training in Construction WorkersUskudar University
Study data from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2026-07-30. Registry entries are supplied by study sponsors and investigators; ClinicalTrials.gov does not verify their scientific validity. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and not endorsed by, the NLM or the NIH.
Where to read more
Rather than paraphrase, we point you to the primary sources. Every link below is to a government health agency, a national institute or a recognised medical body — grouped by what you are trying to find out.
Start Here
- Ergonomics -- OverviewOccupational Safety and Health Administration
- Workplace Ergonomics Reference GuideDepartment of Defense
Related Issues
- Computer Workstations eTool: DesksOccupational Safety and Health Administration
- Computer Workstations eTool: Good Working PositionsOccupational Safety and Health Administration
- Computer Workstations eTool: KeyboardsOccupational Safety and Health Administration
- Computer Workstations eTool: Pointer/MouseOccupational Safety and Health Administration
- Computer Workstations eTool: Wrist/Palm SupportsOccupational Safety and Health Administration
- Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand ToolsNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal DisordersCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Statistics and Research
- Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses Resulting in Days of Job Transfer or Restriction, 1992-2022Bureau of Labor Statistics
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Cumulative Trauma DisordersNational Institutes of Health
Medical subject headings
Clinicians and researchers index this subject under Ergonomics. These are the terms to use when searching medical literature.
This page is built from the MedlinePlus health topic record for Ergonomics, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health. Information is from MedlinePlus.gov. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the NLM or the NIH. Retrieved 30 July 2026.