The effect of anti-fatigue floor mat on pain and fatigue levels of surgical team members: A crossover study.

As ergonomics is important to maintain comfort, this study aimed to examine the effect of anti-fatigue floor mats on pain and fatigue levels of surgical team members. Thirty-eight members participated in this crossover-designed study with no-mat and with-mat conditions, separated by a one-week washout period. They stood on the 15 mm thick rubber anti-fatigue floor mat and on the standard antistatic polyvinyl chloride flooring surface during the surgical procedures. Subjective ratings of pain and fatigue levels were measured pre and after-surgery for each experimental condition using the Visual Analogue Scale and Fatigue-Visual Analogue Scale scales. The after-surgery pain and fatigue levels for the with-mat condition were significantly lower than the no mat condition (p < .05). Consequently, anti-fatigue floor mats are effective in decreasing pain and fatigue levels of surgical team members during surgical procedures. Using anti-fatigue mats may be a practical and easy way to prevent discomfort that is often experienced by surgical teams.