Validation of a commercial software package for quantification of computer use

The aim was to validate measurements of the duration of computer use by a commercial software package in relation to video-based observations. Twenty-two computer users with computer-based work tasks primarily consisting of data entry, word-, and data processing participated in the study. During I h, when the subjects performed their normal work, the duration of computer use was estimated simultaneously by the software program WorkPace and by video-based observations. Two observers analyzed the video-recordings independently. Pearson correlation showed r-values above 0.9 for both observers in relation to the software and between the observers. A significant difference was found between one of the observers and the software program, but judged by 95% confidence intervals and limits of agreement the measurements of the duration of computer use based on the software WorkPace appear to be in agreement with the video-based observations. Relevance to industry The software may be used as a valid tool to measure exposure in large epidemiological studies or to provide objective feedback on time spent at the computer and the usage of keyboard and mouse to the computer user. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.