Pain Status and Its Association with Physical Activity, Psychological Stress, and Telework among Japanese Workers with Pain during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Changes in working styles and physical activities, and an increase in psychological stress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, may have affected pain conditions among workers with pain; however, these associations are still poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a web-based, cross-sectional study to investigate these changes among Japanese workers suffering from pain. A total of 1941 workers who were aged 20–64 years and suffered from body pain within 4 weeks prior to the study were included. Information was collected using a self-reported questionnaire between July and August 2020. Among the respondents, 15% reported that their pain worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately half of the workers claimed to have decreased physical activity (47%) and increased psychological stress (47%) during the pandemic. Multivariable logistic regression analyses found that telework (odds ratio 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.68–3.06), decreased physical activity (3.18, 2.38–4.27), and increased psychological stress (2.16, 1.64–2.84) were associated significantly with pain augmentation. The group of workers who participated in telework and had decreased physical activity comprised the highest proportion of those with augmented pain. Our findings suggest that measures, which consider physical activities, psychological aspects, and working styles, to alleviate pain may be required for the working population in the future.

Pain catastrophizing mediates rapid benefits of accessing in‐person chiropractic care during the COVID‐19 lockdown

“…Though this may have influenced the patients’ degree of engagement in physical activity, this variable was not assessed. Activity levels may explain augmented pain during the lockdown (Fallon et al, 2020 ; Yoshimoto et al, 2021 ) and may change in response to care or vice versa. This variable should be monitored and controlled for in future studies.…”

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

“…A few recent studies have reported that work from home is associated with LBP. 5 , 6 , 7 Yoshimoto et al reported an increased risk of LBP among workers who began teleworking and those who increased their frequency of telework during the COVID‐19 pandemic. 5 Another report showed an association between the frequency of telework and the prevalence of LBP.…”

“… 5 , 6 , 7 Yoshimoto et al reported an increased risk of LBP among workers who began teleworking and those who increased their frequency of telework during the COVID‐19 pandemic. 5 Another report showed an association between the frequency of telework and the prevalence of LBP. 7 However, one report suggests that telework is not associated with exacerbation of LBP, 8 while another study reported a decrease in musculoskeletal pain including LBP among workers who teleworked in confinement due to the COVID‐19 virus.…”

Work-Related Stress of Work from Home with Housemates Based on Residential Types

“…Furuichi et al [ 14 ] found that low social support in the workplace increased sick employment (presenteeism) through psychological and physical stress responses and sleep disturbance, using the Work Limitation Questionnaire (WLQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ). Yoshimoto et al [ 15 ] clarified that the percentage of people with enhanced pain was highest among WFH workers with decreased physical activity. According to these results, it is preferable to consider physical activity, psychological aspects, and workstyle to reduce workers’ physical health and stress.…”