Low back pain and telecommuting in Japan: Influence of work environment quality

Abstract

Objectives This study examined the relationship between frequency of working from home and low back pain (LBP), considering the quality of work environment. Methods The study was based on a cross‐sectional internet‐based survey. Of 33 302 respondents, data from 12 774 desk workers were retained for analysis. We used a 0–10 numerical rating scale to assess LBP. Work environment was assessed using five subjective questions. Mixed‐effects logistic regression nested by city level was used to analyze the relationship between frequency of working from home and LBP, stratified by work environment condition. Results The prevalence of LBP was 21.0%. Among those reporting a poor work environment, as opposed to almost never working from home, the multivariate odds ratio (OR) of LBP were as follows: working from home less than 1 day per week: OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.89–1.76, p = .190; 2–3 days per week: OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.16–2.16, p = .004; and 4 or more days per week: OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.38–2.40, p < .001. By contrast, among those reporting a good work environment, the OR of LBP did not increase as the frequency of working from home increased. Conclusions The relationship between LBP and frequency of working from home was found to vary with the quality of the work environment; more specifically, LBP was associated with frequency of teleworking in a poor work environment. This study suggests that employers should give more support to their employees in promoting a good work environment to prevent LBP. (Words: 240/250).

Teleworking and Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review

“…All studies were published during and after 2020, and only one study used data from before the COVID-19 pandemic [ 12 ]. There was a relatively good representation of countries throughout the world, with most of them coming from Asia [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] and Europe [ 12 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], and some from America and Australia [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Only three studies did not have a cross-sectional design: the first was a before/after study [ 28 ], the second was a prospective cohort [ 37 ], and the last was an interventional study [ 19 ].…”

“…One study focused on participants already suffering from low back pain before implementation of telework [ 30 ], whereas others studies excluded participants with a history of MSK disorders or serious medical conditions [ 19 , 23 , 25 , 28 , 29 , 37 ]. The number of participants varied, ranging from 40 [ 19 ] to 12,774 [ 20 ]. Validated questionnaires were used in almost half of the studies included [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 38 ], with the most used one being the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire.…”

“…Other outcomes included numerical scales and Likert type scales assessing the intensity and/or the frequency of pain or the evolution of pain before and after implementation of lockdowns (associated with WFH). Most articles inquired about pain from various region of the body, but some focused on either neck pain [ 12 , 28 , 37 ] or lower back pain [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 30 ].…”

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 …”