Prolonged sitting in office environments: A scoping review of assessment methods

Background Prolonged sitting in office environments is a major contributor to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), representing a growing concern for occupational health and ergonomics. Objective This scoping review aimed to examine the range of methods used to assess sitting postures among office workers, emphasizing their applications, strengths, and limitations. Methods A comprehensive search identified 42 studies published between 2000 and December 2023 from an initial pool of 167 articles. Studies were categorized into self-assessment, observational, and instrument-based approaches following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results Self-assessment methods were the most common (69.05%), capturing subjective reports of discomfort, followed by observational tools (38.09%) for postural risk evaluation and instrument-based approaches (45.24%) utilizing sensor- and vision-based technologies for objective analysis. Several studies combined two or more methods to improve data validity through cross-validation and to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of posture-related risks. Conclusions This review synthesizes current approaches for evaluating sitting postures in office settings and highlights methodological trends, gaps, and opportunities to guide future ergonomic research aimed at reducing MSD risks.