Risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among mobile device users during work from home

Jain, Rahul; Meena, M.L.; Rana, Kunj Bihari

doi:10.1080/10803548.2021.1979318

Cited by 15 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Female sex and long working hours were associated with more musculoskeletal problems compared with male sex and working 7 hours or less. These findings were consistent with previous studies 12–15 . More than half of the homeworkers used a work desk, work chair, and laptop computer.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…These findings were consistent with previous studies. [12][13][14][15] More than half of the homeworkers used a work desk, work chair, and laptop computer. However, a considerable proportion of homeworkers also used dining tables and chairs, low tables and floor chairs/floor cushions, or even other furniture different from those used in the typical office setup.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Computer and Furniture Affecting Musculoskeletal Problems and Work Performance in Work From Home During COVID-19 Pandemic

Iwakiri

Sotoyama

et al. 2022

J Occup Environ Med

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Objectives: We surveyed how home-working conditions, specifically furniture and computer use, affected self-reported musculoskeletal problems and work performance. Methods: Questionnaires from 4112 homeworkers were analyzed. The relationship between subjective musculoskeletal problems or work performance and working conditions were determined by logistic regression analyses. Results: More than half the homeworkers used a work desk, work chair, and laptop computer. However, approximately 20% of homeworkers used a low table, floor chair/floor cushion, or other furniture that was different from the office setup. Using a table of disproportionate size and height, sofa, floor cushion, and floor chair were associated with neck/shoulder pain or low back pain. Disproportionate table and chair, floor cushion, and tablet computer were associated with poor work performance. Conclusions: Disproportionate desk and chair, floor cushion/chair, and computer with small screen may affect musculoskeletal problems and home-working performance.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Computer and Furniture Affecting Musculoskeletal Problems and Work Performance in Work From Home During COVID-19 Pandemic

Iwakiri

Sotoyama

et al. 2022

J Occup Environ Med

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“…Additionally, PA practice can result in lower BMI, body fat percentage and blood pressure, as well as better job performance [ 64 ]. The increased systemic circulation and vasodilator capability caused by PA [ 10 , 28 , 58 , 65 , 70 ] could be one explanation for the reduction in MSS rates in this group. It is also important to remember that PA should include activities for all body parts to prevent worker’s MSS [ 69 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the literature, CWs are prone to MSS in various body regions [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ] and regular PA practice has been shown to be a beneficial strategy to reduce the onset of MSS and lead to a reduction in pain intensity [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. In previous works by our group, we also found that MSS were less frequent in CWs who followed PA recommendations [ 69 ] and we also observed a large effect of PA in the reduction of pain in CWs [ 68 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Perception of Physical Activity and on the Perception of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Computer Workers: Comparative Longitudinal Study Design

Moreira

Criado

Ferreira

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Lockdown resulting from the pandemic led to a change in the health habits of the computer workers community. Sedentary work, together with less active lifestyles, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic leads to impacts on physical activity (PA) and can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). Aim(s): Understand the effects of lockdown on the perception of physical activity levels and on the perception of frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms, over periods of 12 months and 7 days, in computer workers. Methods: Longitudinal comparative study between 2019 (M1) and 2021 (M2), over 18 months, in 40 volunteer participants. The inclusion criteria were full-time workers aged between 18 and 65 and the exclusion criteria included diagnosis of non-work-related medical conditions. In addition to a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate the MSS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), was used to analyse the perception of the level of PA. These questionnaires were used in two assessment stages (M1 and M2). McNemar test and Wilcoxon paired test were used to evaluate the effect of lockdown on the perception of PA, and on the perception of frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms. Results: The MSS prevalence in the previous 12 months increased significantly in the neck (M1: 45.0%, M2: 62.5%, p = 0.046), in the shoulders (M1: 37.5%, M2: 55.0%, p = 0.033), and in the hands/wrists (M1: 25.0%, M2: 45.0%, p = 0.019). The mean pain score increased in the shoulders (1.43 ± 2.24, 2.35 ± 2.55, p = 0.003) and in the elbows (0.18 ± 0.59, 0.60 ± 1.34, p = 0.015). No differences were found in the PA between M1 and M2, but the weekly mean sitting time increased from 4.75 ± 2.26 to 6.26 ± 2.65 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: After 18 months it became clear that MSS perception increased mainly in the neck, shoulders and hands/wrists with a significant increase in pain intensity in the shoulder and elbow regions. The weekly sitting time increased significantly. Further studies are needed in order to determine the impact of teleworking in a pandemic context. But multifactor behind these results should be taken into account by health institutions and those responsible for the Prevention of Occupational Risks in Computer Workers in order to adopt educational strategies for the promotion of Physical activity (PA), in these workers.

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“…Researchers have identified both the benefits and negativities of working from home. Negative aspects include social isolation (Golden and Veiga, 2008), unergonomic home work stations (Jain, Meena and Rana, 2021), increased gender inequality due to the embedding of traditional gender roles, and increased work/life conflict (Dockery and Bawa, 2014; Nakrošienė et al, 2019; Maruyama and Tietze, 2012). Emerging research on this new and widespread phenomenon, however, also highlights the benefits of working from home to both employees and individuals.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-normal workplaces: Should working from home be a ‘collective flexibility’?

Williamson

Pearce²

2022

Journal of Industrial Relations

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Working from home expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Controversy examines how working from home was framed and regulated pre-pandemic. We contrast this with the changes made to Australia's industrial award system during the pandemic to increase flexibilities around working from home, in response to a collective need for a responsive safety net. We argue that the conception and regulation of working from home is shifting from an individual flexibility, to a ‘collective flexibility’ available to a wide array of workers, collectively negotiated and governed by increased regulation. While industrial instruments were varied to accommodate public health requirements and the need of organisations and employees to work from home, these shifts were temporary. We argue that working from home provisions should rightly be regulated as a collective entitlement. We therefore consider possible ways forward in regulating this form of working, drawing from international developments. We raise these issues to extend debates around how working from home can be regulated to benefit employers and employees as we move towards COVID-normal.

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Risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among mobile device users during work from home

Cited by 15 publications

References 21 publications

Computer and Furniture Affecting Musculoskeletal Problems and Work Performance in Work From Home During COVID-19 Pandemic

Computer and Furniture Affecting Musculoskeletal Problems and Work Performance in Work From Home During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Perception of Physical Activity and on the Perception of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Computer Workers: Comparative Longitudinal Study Design

COVID-normal workplaces: Should working from home be a ‘collective flexibility’?

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