Ergonomic and psychosocial risks related to musculoskeletal problems among Brazilian labor judges in telework during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ergonomic and psychosocial risks in telework and their relationship with musculoskeletal problems in Brazilian labor judges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 119 participants. Data were collected through a sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire, from the Brazilian versions of the revised Maastricht upper extremity questionnaire (MUEQ-Br revised), the rapid office strain assessment (ROSA-Br) and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), added to a numerical pain scale. Results. According to the ROSA-Br, 47.06% of the participants showed an outcome where it is considered that there is a need for immediate intervention in the workplace. Results of the ROSA-Br and the MUEQ-Br revised presented a significant correlation with the intensity of complaints in the neck and shoulders in the last 12 months and in the last 7 days. The total score of MUEQ-Br revised presented more important correlations with problems in these body regions and with the intensity of complaints in the upper back, wrists/hands and lower back in both periods. Conclusions. Companies should propose ways to assess the ergonomic and psychosocial risks among their employees in telework as a way to prevent the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems.

KEYWORDS:

• occupational health
• ergonomics
• risk factors
• musculoskeletal pain
• teleworking

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants who were involved in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.