UNDERSTANDING REMOTE WORK CHALLENGES: DESIGNING AN INTERACTIVE SYSTEM TO SUPPORT PRODUCTIVITY, POSTURE, AND SELF-REGULATION

Abstract

The transition toward freelance and remote work has reshaped professional routines, presenting multifaceted challenges related to productivity, posture, and emotional balance. Prolonged screen exposure, sedentary behavior, and lack of structured routines contribute to digital fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort. This study introduces Syncwell, an interactive desktop-based system integrating a smart lumbar cushion with a behavioral support application, designed to enhance focus, motivation, and physical comfort among remote workers. Developed through a user-centered design approach, the system incorporates task scheduling, real-time posture feedback, gamified habit tracking, and avatar-based emotional support. A survey based on the e-Work Self-Efficacy Scale (e-WSES) revealed a mean score of 2.84 (SD = 0.65), highlighting moderate confidence in remote work self-regulation. Subscale analysis indicated the lowest mean of 2.70 (SD = 0.92) for task management and the highest of 2.99 (SD = 0.92) for trust-building. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) results showed most participants in the medium to high-risk category, reinforcing the need for ergonomic interventions. Findings collectively underscore the importance of integrated design solutions that address both behavioral and physical aspects of digital work well-being. Syncwell demonstrates how human-centered technology can foster self-regulation, ergonomic health, and motivation in increasingly unstructured remote environments. This paper describes the behavioral insights, design methodology, system development, and early evaluation results.