Fact · Accessibility and health
20 minutesmicrobreak interval
In the 2001 randomised study, microbreaks reduced discomfort in every area measured, particularly when taken every 20 minutes.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“microbreaks had a positive effect on reducing discomfort in all areas studied during computer terminal work, particularly when breaks were taken at 20 min intervals”
Computer terminal work and the benefit of microbreaks, Linda Mclean et al., Applied Ergonomics, 2001, Abstract.
Open the original (DOI 10.1016/s0003-6870(00)00071-5)- What it measures
- Participants keyed at their usual work. Groups took microbreaks at their own discretion, every 20 minutes or every 40 minutes, and were compared with sessions without breaks.
- What it does not show
- Measures perceived discomfort during a session. The authors say the link to later injury is still to be determined.