Automated Rate-Rest Reminder

Because people expend energy while working, it is reasonable to expect that rest periods will be beneficial. It has also been hypothesized by D. L. Fisher et. al., (Human Factors, 35(2), 283-304.) that the rate-rest profile might be manipulated in a way that will result in increased productivity. This paper describes a software implementation of that hypothesis intended for computer users. This computer implementation is designed to periodically remind the computer operator (unobtrusively) to take a short break, suggest some appropriate relaxation activities (stand up, stretch, focus eyes at a distance, and in general change positions), and inform (educate) the user that cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) may be exacerbated by poor posture and uncomfortable or ergonomically incorrect working positions.