Examination of Musculoskeletal System Disorders and Ergonomic Conditions in the Work Environment of Academics Providing Distance Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Controlled Study

Abstract

Background:This study aimed to evaluate whether the incidence rate of musculoskeletal system disorders changed owing to the increase in the time spent on the computer by academics who did or did not provide distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material/Methods:The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to assess musculoskeletal discomfort experienced in the past 1 week. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Computer Workstations Evaluation Checklist was used to assess the ergonomic structure of the work environment. The questionnaire assessed musculoskeletal system disorders and collected demographic characteristics. Results:The study group included 184 (101 male, 83 female) academics who provided distance education, whereas the control group included 82 (44 male, 38 female) academics who did not provide distance education. The mean ages of academics in the study group and control group were 37.46±7.34 and 41.26±10.06 years, respectively. Although computer-based work environment ergonomics were similar (P>0.05) in both groups during the pandemic, the incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders was significantly high in the study group (P<0.001). These disorders were mostly seen in the neck, back, and waist regions (P<0.001). Conclusions:The results suggested that the incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders increased in academics who provided distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life for Chilean teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic at the academic year-end

“…Likewise, the most common discomforts in the body are related to the type of work and common postures exercised in the virtual classes of most schools. Sitting for long hours in front of the computer, inappropriate rest breaks, increased and inappropriate use of smart devices, improper keyboard and mouse position, uncomfortable table and chair for work, and the physical and environmental conditions of the room have been related to the increased MSD in employees using a computer (19)(20)(21)(22)38). Additionally, before the pandemic, most teachers did not have training in ergonomics for working in front of the computer, which could cause rapid MSD due to inadequate postures.…”

“…In this sense, due to remote working among teachers during the pandemic, there have been reports of high exposure to job stress and heavy psychosocial demands, which in turn have led to more sedentary behavior and deficient ergonomic practices, as long workdays in front of screens have led to developing various MSD (19)(20)(21)(22). However, both at the global level and in Chile, there are no reports about the rates of MSD associated with teachers' QoL in the context of the pandemic and especially during the end of the academic calendar, when teachers report greater time and effort spent on fulfilling the timeframes stipulated by their employers, thereby generating stress increases by up to 20% compared with the first months of the school year (23,24).…”