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Time to shelve that standing desk.
New research suggests ergonomic upgrades for the office — from specialized chairs, desks and keyboards — do little to actually help workers with repetitive stress injuries.
Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney analyzed 20 trials involving more than 2,400 people with work-related complaints of the arms, neck and shoulders.
Compared with no treatment or usual care like medical advice, discussion or counseling, the ergonomic-friendly interventions showed little to no impact on pain, functionality or quality of life, or on workers taking sick leave.
Ergonomic office setups were also less effective than posture-correcting exercises to treat pain or discomfort, though they may provide short-term relief when paired together.
“The certainty of that evidence ranges from low to moderate, so this is a clear signal that the case for these interventions is weaker than many people assume,” lead author Dr. Poonam Mehta said in a news release.
The ergonomic interventions mentioned in the review included specially designed furniture and devices, such as chairs, sit-stand desks, keyboards and computer mice.
It’s a huge industry — ergonomic office furniture is valued at an enormous $16.5 billion, according to Mordor Intelligence, and is projected to reach nearly $23 billion in 2031.
A caveat to the overall findings is that ergonomic setups may have small benefits for people with specific maladies, like rotator cuff injuries in the shoulder from repeated lifting.
One study from the review suggests ergonomic treatment may reduce functional disability better than mobilization, strength and endurance training exercises.
However, other studies looking at those with carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist from frequent mouse-clicking didn’t see reduced pain using ergonomic keyboards or computer mice.
Some study results did suggest the office updates may improve quality of life, although the research team has limited confidence in the evidence due to mixed results.
For decades, ergonomics experts have argued that bad desk setups could result in poor posture, aches, “tech neck” and more, affecting employees and employers alike.
“The long-term cost of poor ergonomics far exceeds the upfront cost of proper design,” board-certified ergonomist and Global Vice President of Humanscale Consulting Jonathan Puleio previously told The Post.
This new review challenges that conclusion, suggesting instead that offices reconsider their investment in ergonomic tools and costly refurnishing.
“Our findings suggest that, on current evidence, these measures alone shouldn’t be expected to reduce pain or sick leave in the short term,” Mehta said. “Employers may want to weigh that against the cost.”
