High physical and psychosocial load at work and sickness absence due to neck pain

Abstract

Ariëns GAM, Bongers PM, Hoogendoorn WE, van der Wal G, van Mechelen W. High physical and psychosocial load at work and sickness absence due to neck pain. Scand J Work Environ Health 2002;28(4):222-231.Objectives This study investigates the relationship between physical and psychosocial load at work and sickness absence due to neck pain.Methods A prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of 3 years (1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998) was performed among a working population. At the beginning of the study, physical load at work was quantified by means of video recordings. Work-related psychosocial variables were measured by means of the Job Content Questionnaire. The frequency of sickness absence due to neck pain with a minimal duration of 3 days was assessed on the basis of company registrations during the follow-up period. Altogether 758 workers were included in the analyses. Possible confounding by individual characteristics, physical load, and psychosocial load was studied.Results Work-related neck flexion and neck rotation, low decision authority, and medium skill discretion showed statistically significant increased risks for sickness absence due to neck pain (adjusted rate ratios ranging from 1.6 to 4.2). High quantitative job demands, low skill discretion, and low job security showed nonsignificant increased risks for sickness absence due to neck pain (adjusted rate ratios of 2.0, 1.6 and 1.7, respectively). Work-related sitting, conflicting job demands, supervisor support, and co-worker support did not increase sickness absence due to neck pain.Conclusions Work-related neck flexion, neck rotation, low decision authority, and medium skill discretion are risk factors for sickness absence due to neck pain. There are indications that high job demands, low skill discretion, and low job security are also risk factors for sickness absence due to neck pain.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Thoracic Spine Pain in the Working Population: The French Pays de la Loire Study

“…In women, frequent neck flexion combined with highly repetitive tasks was associated with higher risk of TSP, and this confirmed findings for neck pain (22). Frequent or sustained neck flexion may be due to high visual constraints (e.g., computer work) and result in trunk bending or thoracic spine kyphosis.…”

Chapter 6. Sickness absence due to back and neck disorders

“…Those working with their neck rotatedw45 degrees for more than 25% of working time were also at greater risk (RR 2.81, CI 1.29 -6.09) compared to those who worked in the same way but for less than 25% of working time. Compared to a non-seated position, a seated working position for up to 50% of work time was associated with a lower risk for sick leave due to neck disorders (51).…”

Work-related psychosocial and mechanical risk factors for work disability: a 3-year follow-up study of the general working population in Norway

“…Prolonged standing has some support in the literature as a risk factor for work disability and reduced work ability (6,36), whereas neck flexion has been shown to increase the risk of neck pain and sick leave associated with neck pain (37,38).…”