Assessments of Thermal Sensation While Sitting on Office Chairs of Different Seat and Backrest Designs

A person’s sense of comfort while sitting depends on numerous physical and psychological parameters. This study investigated the impact of different office chair seat and back designs on the user’s ability to assess differences in thermal comfort during office work tasks. Eighty-two healthy subjects assessed their thermal sensation, moisture perception, and thermal comfort on six chair models using questionnaire. The chairs varied in backrest design (mesh vs. PUR foam) and seat materials. Assessments were conducted in air-conditioned workplaces over three weeks. The results showed an overall neutral thermal sensation (mean rating of 4.12 on a seven-point scale), with warmth being more pronounced in the buttocks and thighs than in the back, alongside variations observed in seven of the fifteen indicators. The comfort of both the backrest and seat was crucial for overall thermal comfort, as was the perception of humidity among different chair models. The relationships between thermal sensation, humidity, and comfort differed by chair’s design. This study confirms the complexity of thermal comfort in seat and backrest design, highlighting the importance of localized thermal sensations in chairs, while demonstrating that application of subjective ratings can demonstrate differences between chairs. Future research should address methodological limitations, incorporate objective measurements, and explore seasonal variations and adaptive thermal comfort.