DSE Assessment – Case Study
DSE Assessment Case Study: Supporting a Hybrid Worker With Neurological and MSK Needs | Bespoke Wellbeing
Case Study — DSE Assessment: Supporting an Employee With Neurological and Musculoskeletal Needs in a Hybrid Role
At Bespoke Wellbeing, we believe in making a positive difference to people’s lives. This case study is one example of what that looks like in practice.
An employee managing a neurological condition alongside musculoskeletal symptoms needed more than a standard workstation checklist. What they needed was a physiotherapy-led assessment that could see the whole picture, and recommendations that would actually work for them.
Referral
An employee working in an administrative hybrid role was referred for a Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessment following increasing discomfort linked to a neurological condition affecting mobility, hand function, and posture.
The employee reported:
- Lower back pain
- Wrist discomfort
- Fatigue during repetitive tasks
- Difficulties using standard IT equipment
- Challenges working efficiently from their home workstation
Symptoms had worsened since starting a new role involving prolonged computer use and repetitive keyboard activity.
As part of our assessment process, we reviewed:
- Home workstation setup and display screen equipment
- Posture, positioning, and movement patterns
- Input devices and accessibility requirements
- Working patterns and existing adjustments
The assessment was carried out at the employee’s home address, which meant we could observe how they were actually working rather than relying on self-report alone.
DSE Assessment Findings
The employee had pieced together a home workstation from borrowed and standard equipment. It was functional, but not built around their specific needs.
While the home working environment itself was suitable, several issues were identified during the ergonomic workplace assessment:
What became clear on the in-person visit was that the monitor height was forcing a sustained chin-up posture throughout the day, directly loading an already compromised cervical region.
Key Risks Identified
- Poor monitor positioning causing visual strain and awkward neck posture
- Standard laptop setup not suited to reduced hand function
- High volume of repetitive keyboard and mouse activity with no adjustment for fatigue
- Lack of specialist equipment matched to the employee’s physical profile
- Limited independence when completing everyday IT tasks
The assessment also identified the importance of reducing repetitive movements and improving workstation accessibility to support long-term symptom management.
Recommendations
Following the assessment, we provided a detailed occupational health report outlining practical, costed, and reasonable workplace adjustments.
Recommended equipment:
- Height-adjustable external monitor
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Specialist trackball mouse
- Docking station and vertical laptop stand
- External webcam
- Speech-to-text software
- Assistive aids for laptop handling
Reasonable adjustments recommended:
- Flexible working hours to manage fatigue
- Regular micro-breaks built into the working day
- Continued hybrid working support
- Flexibility around medical appointments
- IT accessibility modifications to support independent working
A further in-person assessment of the office workstation was recommended to ensure consistency across both working environments.
Outcome
THE EMPLOYEE — Within 2 weeks of the equipment being in place, the employee reported being able to complete a full working day without the level of pain and fatigue they had previously experienced. They told us that the service helped them feel more confident and independant when working. They also appreciated the injury advice our physiotherapist was able to also provide them.
THE REFERRER — After getting the report and recommendations, on the same day as the assessment, the referring manager knew exactly how to support their employee. They told us they were impressed with the clear and professional advice and that the in-person assessment was extremely thorough. They told us they would definitely be referring future cases to us.
THE CLINICIAN — The in-person assessment allowed the clinician to fully explore the environment, employee behaviours and take accurate measurements for equipment guidance. A clinician based assessment also allowed the injury information guide the recommendations based on evidenced based practice, not just what an employee thought they needed.
Why This Case Matters
For employees managing neurological conditions or complex musculoskeletal presentations, a standard workstation checklist will not be enough.
What this case demonstrates is that the right assessment, carried out by a physiotherapist who understands both the clinical picture and the working environment, can identify problems that would otherwise go unaddressed and recommend solutions that are practical, proportionate, and genuinely effective.
Employers also have legal responsibilities to assess workstation risks under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, and to consider reasonable adjustments where an employee’s health affects their ability to work safely.
Need support with a complex DSE or workplace assessment?
If you have an employee whose needs go beyond a standard workstation check, our physiotherapy-led DSE and ergonomic assessment service may be the right fit.
Contact us to discuss your requirements – appointments@bespokewellbeing.co.uk.