The role of at home workstation ergonomics and gender on musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The recent mandate for university faculty and staff to work-from-home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced employees to work with sub-optimal ergonomic workstations that may change their musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. As women report more work-related musculoskeletal discomfort (WMSD), this effect may be exacerbated in women. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe university employee at-home office workstations, and explore if at-home workstation design mediates the effect of gender on musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: University employees completed a survey that focused on the WFH environment, at home workstation design and musculoskeletal pain. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze the responses. RESULTS: 61% of respondents reported an increase in musculoskeletal pain, with the neck, shoulders and lower back being reported most frequently. Women reported significantly greater musculoskeletal pain, but this relationship was significantly mediated by poor ergonomic design of the home workstation. Improper seat-height and monitor distance were statistically associated with total-body WMSD. CONCLUSIONS: WFH has worsened employee musculoskeletal health and the ergonomic gap between women and men in the workspace has persisted in the WFH environment, with seat height and monitor distance being identified as significant predictors of discomfort/pain.

Telework Conditions, Ergonomic and Psychosocial Risks, and Musculoskeletal Problems in the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Another study showed that the mere migration to telework at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic exerted no effect on the intensity of neck pain among the participants but that the greater intensity of this pain was related to worse ergonomic conditions of the home workstation, the number of hours working in the computer, and fewer breaks during the workday 10 . In the same sense, other studies pointed out that the musculoskeletal complaints among teleworkers were mediated by inadequate ergonomic conditions and were related to the intensity of telework (days per week of telework) only when the telework conditions were deficient, such as lack of a home workplace where the employees could concentrate for work 22,24–26 …”

“… 10 In the same sense, other studies pointed out that the musculoskeletal complaints among teleworkers were mediated by inadequate ergonomic conditions and were related to the intensity of telework (days per week of telework) only when the telework conditions were deficient, such as lack of a home workplace where the employees could concentrate for work. 22 , 24 – 26 …”

Employees Working from Home: Do Leadership Factors Influence Work-Related Stress and Musculoskeletal Pain?

“…For those employees with MSP, pain was increased when they did not have access to a dedicated workstation. Employees who have MSP are likely to need a tailored workspace, with appropriate equipment to assist with managing their condition [ 38 ], and may require support from their employers to optimise their workspace away from the traditional office. Support may include equipment but also modifications to job design to enable flexibility, so employees can tailor their work to their capacity, which is particularly important in conditions where symptoms are variable.…”

Pelatihan Peningkatan Pengetahuan Masyarakat terhadap Masalah dan Penyebab Gangguan Muskuloskeletal Selama Work from Home dan School from Home saat Pandemi COVID-19

“…Hal ini selaras dengan studi yang dilakukan di Jepang dalam skala besar, menyimpulkan bahwa peningkatan kerja dari rumah berhubungan dengan LBP pada pekerja kantoran selama pandemic Covid-19 (Minoura et al, 2021). Tidak hanya LBP, gangguan musculoskeletal lain yang dirasakan adalah nyeri leher (Moretti et al, 2020), rasa tidak nyaman pada mata (Gerding et al, 2021) serta nyeri pada bahu (MacLean et al, 2022). Prevalensi nyeri leher/bahu, nyeri pada siku dan pergelangan tangan, ketegangan mata meningkat saat lockdown.…”