University North

DIMIMEKO

https://www.croris.hr/projekti/projekt/15616?lang=en

Sveučilište Sjever

90000 EUR

21.10.2025 – 30.09.2029

The project brings an interdisciplinary approach to preserving the health of teachers in higher education, with an emphasis on the challenges of digitization and sedentary work. Prolonged sitting, computer work, and digital workload are associated with frequent occurrence of pain in the spine and upper extremities, as well as increased stress and mental difficulties (eg, anxiety, stress, depression, panic attacks). Research will be conducted on the prevalence of mental and musculoskeletal difficulties among teachers using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. The results will serve as a basis for developing educational digital materials to prevent and improve mental and musculoskeletal disabilities. The educational digital material will contain exercises, infographics, and a manual with a focus on ergonomics, proper sitting, active breaks, and expert advice from physiotherapists. The project will have an impact on changing the organizational culture and working habits of teachers by encouraging preventive behavior and contributing to the digital and green transition. The model is sustainable and applicable to other higher education institutions. The project contributes to the strengthening of institutional capacities in the area of ​​teacher health promotion, digital transition, and long-term sustainability in higher education. The primary objective of the project is to implement an innovative, digital, and transformative program for the prevention and reduction of musculoskeletal and mental disorders among teachers employed in higher education. Additional goals of the project are: to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal and mental disabilities among teachers, to develop recommendations and measures for the prevention and reduction of musculoskeletal and mental disabilities based on the results obtained, to design and create digital educational materials (exercises, infographics, digital manuals) aimed at preventing and reducing the frequency of musculoskeletal and mental disabilities, and to ensure the availability of digital educational materials.

doc. dr. sc. Ivana Živoder

doc. dr. sc. Manuela Filipec

Anica Kuzmić

dr. sc. Mateja Znika

Marija Arapović

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