Background/Purpose: Work disability in people with systemic sclerosis (SS) increases substantially from diagnosis to three years after disease onset.  Ergonomic modifications help people with physical, chronic conditions maintain employment; yet people often do not know what equipment and/or accommodations are available. In the parent project, participants completed the Making it WorkTM Systemic Sclerosis program (MiW-SS), a virtual intervention designed to improve job related self-efficacy in working adults with SS. This abstract describes the ergonomic modifications needed by these participants and explores how they perceived these recommendations within the broader context of the intervention and their ability to work.

Methods: After completing 5 90-minute group sessions as part of the  MiW-SS program, participants engaged in a 1-hour individual virtual consultation with an occupational therapist (OT) using the Ergonomic Assessment Tool for Arthritis (EATA). The EATA includes a work diary and self-report questionnaires on job demands) followed by an individual discussion with the OT to collaboratively generate issues, solutions, and action plans. Data were organized by job demands to identify how many participants completed each section and what recommendations were made.  At 3- and 6-months after the consultation, participants were interviewed about job updates and sustained use of strategies acquired during the program. Rapid analysis was used to identify if and how participants felt the ergonomic recommendations impacted their day-to-day life.

Results: Fourteen participants, all female, completed the individual consultation. Mean age was 46.0±11.2 years; disease duration was 8.57±8.1 years; mean time at current job was 8.7± 6.6 years; 36% had diffuse SS; 71% were non-Hispanic White; 93% completed a college degree; 57% were married; and 78% were working full time. Work organization (n=13,) seated (n=13) and standing work (N&#3f14), were the most reported challenges. The majority of recommendations made were workstation modifications (e.g. repositioning monitors, keyboards, and desk heights) and equipment (e.g. adjustable chairs, cushions, wireless mouses, and space heaters/heated clothing). Participants varied widely on their execution of ergonomic recommendations based on contextual factors (e.g. jobs changes, offices moves, health changes). Still, participants valued the dedicated time to identify and problem solve current and future environmental barriers to work (“It makes me sit there and think. Things that I wouldn’t pay close attention to, it gives me the spectacle”). Execution of ergonomic modifications was closely related to acceptance of challenges related to SS and MiW-SS resources on stress management and communication skills (I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me at first, but now I’m very verbal… about making sure people understand what I’m going through and accommodations I may need”).

Conclusion: Ergonomic consultation and MiW-SS content increased participants’ perception of their confidence and ability to manage issues in their workplace. Larger studies will help identify the most helpful solutions in keeping people with SS employed.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/ergonomic-modifications-findings-from-the-making-it-worktm-systemic-sclerosis-program/