Assessment of Perceived Discomfort in Older Women with and without Osteoarthritis and Young Women When Reaching for Items on Different Shelf Heights

Age-related functional decline often leads to reduced reach capabilities. This study investigated the self-perceived discomfort experienced by older women with and without osteoarthritis (OA) and young women while reaching for items on various shelf heights. A simulation of six grocery store shelf heights was created in the laboratory, and a perceived discomfort scale measured the discomfort in selecting products from different heights. A body diagram was used to document discomfort at specific body locations. Results from a 3 (groups-older women with and without OA and young women without OA) x 6 (shelf height conditions) ANOVA indicated that discomfort was lowest for shelf heights ranging from 23.5 to 57.5 inches. Older women had significantly higher discomfort mean scores than young women, but there were no statistically significant differences in perceived discomfort scores between the older women with and without OA. Older women with OA reported maximal discomfort at the shoulder for the highest shelf height (72 inches) and lower back for the lowest shelf (4 inches). Maximum participants reported no discomfort in any body part for shelf heights ranging from 23.5 to 57.5 inches.