Identifying Factors of Comfort and Discomfort in Sitting

Abstract

We conducted a classification analysis to identify factors associated with sitting comfort and discomfort. The objective was to investigate the possible multidimensional nature of comfort and discomfort. Descriptors of feelings of comfort and discomfort were solicited from office workers and validated in a questionnaire study. From this study, 43 descriptors emerged. The 42 participants rated the similarity of all 903 pairs of descriptors, and we subjected the resulting similarity matrix to multidimensional scaling, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. Two main factors emerged, which were interpreted as comfort and discomfort. Based on these findings, we postulate a hypothetical model for perception of comfort and discomfort. Comfort and discomfort need to be treated as different and complementary entities in ergonomic investigations.

Evaluating the impact of WaterCell ® Technology on pressure redistribution and comfort/discomfort of adults with limited mobility

“…Zhang, Helander, and Drury (1996) reported in their study that participants reported comfort as being associated with well-being while discomfort was associated with soreness, pain, and tiredness. In order to address this complex concept and to corroborate the objective and subjective measures with defining comfort and discomfort, this study used a validated tool (Crane and Hobson 2002) adapted by the researchers for suitability in this study.…”

Assessing and Predicting the Impact of Cowlshake in Convertible Cars on Subjective Comfort

“…In the driving context it has successfully been used to assess noise (Kuwano et al, 1994, Takao & Hashimoto, 1994. According to Helander & Zhang (1997, Zhang, Helander & Drury, 1996) the concepts of comfort and discomfort are independent entities associated with different factors. Comfort is related to well-being and aesthetics whereas discomfort has to do with biomechanics and fatigue.…”

Car Seat Comfort by Measuring Interface Pressure and Using Subjective Evaluation System in Road Trials / Yol Denemelerinde Arayüz Basınç Ölçümü ve Öznel Değerlendirme Sistemi Kullanarak Oto Koltuğu Konforu

“…Discomfort is more associated with biomechanical factors that produce feelings of pain, numbness and stiffness. These feelings increase with time on task and fatigue (Zhang et al, 1996). Comfort is a very important parameter for automobile seat design.…”