There is no conflict of interest.
Citation
Partido, B. B., Henderson, R., & Lally, M. (2021). Impact of a seated-standing protocol on postures and pain among undergraduate dental hygiene students: A pilot study. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 95(4), 70-78. https://jdh.adha.org/content/jdenthyg/95/4/70.full.pdf
Highlights
- The study’s objective was to examine the impact of a sit-stand protocol on health outcomes.
- The study used a randomized controlled trial design to assign dental hygiene students to either the treatment (the sit-stand protocol) or control group. The primary data sources were researcher-assessed ergonomic scores and ergonomic risk scores, and self-reported pain levels from participants. The authors used statistical models to compare the outcomes of the treatment and control group members.
- The study found no statistically significant differences in outcomes between the treatment and control groups.
- This study receives a high evidence rating. This means we are confident that any estimated effects would be attributable to the sit-stand protocol and not to other factors. However, the study did not find any statistically significant effects.
Features of the Study
The study used a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a sit-stand protocol on dental hygiene student health outcomes. The sit-stand protocol was created to assist dental and dental hygiene workers in preventing musculoskeletal pain and injuries that can occur from sitting for long periods. This protocol encourages individuals to alternate between sitting and standing every thirty minutes during their work. It also lists the tasks to be completed in each appointment (such as taking vital signs and coronal polishing) and indicates which tasks can be done while sitting or standing.
Thirty students were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group, with 15 students in each group. Participants were enrolled in the dental hygiene program at Ohio State University during the summer 2019 term. The sample had an average age of 21.3 years, an average weight of 141.7 pounds, and an average height of 65.9 inches. Participants in the treatment group were instructed to follow the sit-stand protocol and received weekly email reminders, as well as periodic verbal prompts from clinical faculty. The control group completed their appointments sitting normally throughout the study. The primary data sources were researcher-assessed ergonomic scores (posture), ergonomic risk scores, and self-reported pain levels from participants. Data were collected from both study groups at baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8. The authors used statistical models to compare differences in outcomes between the treatment and control group members over time.
Findings
Health and safety
- The study found no statistically significant differences in ergonomic scores (posture), ergonomic risk scores, or perceived pain levels between the treatment and control group participants at Week 4 or Week 8.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The study authors note that lack of adherence to the sit-stand protocol by the treatment group may have affected the study's results. About half of the participants in the treatment group said they followed the protocol less than 50% of the time, and in the last four weeks, they reported following it only about 25% of the time.
Causal Evidence Rating
The quality of causal evidence presented in this report is high because it was based on a well-implemented randomized controlled trial. This means we are confident that any estimated effects would be attributable to the sit-stand protocol and not to other factors. However, the study did not find any statistically significant effects.