redesign and fabrication of a folding ergonomic laptop desk for college students

Background: awkward posture during work is one of the mostcritical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. a laptopdesk fitting with users’ body dimensions plays a crucial rolein maintaining proper posture and reducing musculoskeletaldisorders. this study aimed to redesign and fabricate a foldingergonomic laptop desk for college students.methods: in this experimental applied study, two hundred andseven college students were considered participants to design anergonomic laptop desk and fifty students for posture evaluation.six anthropometric dimensions were measured: height, the heightof elbows in the sitting position, elbow-elbow breadth, the lengthand height of both knees in the cross-legged sitting posture, andthe length of the elbow-fingers. then, two best-selling laptopdesks were selected and the rula method assessed laptop users’posture. finally, using students’ anthropometric dimensions(n=207), a new laptop desk was designed and built in 2017.results: the height of our designed laptop desk is adjustable(range of 20-28 cm), with a variable inclination of the desk (0- 34degrees). it is possible to shorten or lengthen desk legs (48-72cm), and a special plate of the mouse (19×46 cm) supports bothelbows on the sides of the desk. rula method showed actionlevel 3, which required early change in desks 1 and 2.conclusion: applying user›s and expert opinions, measuringusers› body dimensions, and applying those dimensions in designand construction can play a significant role in improving andcorrecting the laptop›s desks so that it could result in suitableposture in students.