Work-related musculoskeletal problems and associated factors among office workers

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated factors among Iranian office personnel. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study, 359 Iranian office workers were included. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, the numeric rating scale, rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) and the NASA task load index (NASA-TLX). Results. Our findings showed that the highest prevalence rate of MSDs within the last 12 months and the highest pain/discomfort severity were related to the participants’ necks. The mean performance, mental demand and effort subscale scores of the NASA-TLX were higher than other subscales (physical demand, temporal demand and frustration level). ROSA scores showed that 53.8% of the participants were in action level 1 (low MSD risk) and the rest (46.2%) were in action level 2 (high MSD risk). The pain/discomfort severity in the shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, thighs and ankles/feet was correlated to the final ROSA score. Age, gender, body mass index and some NASA-TLX subscales (effort, mental demand and performance) were associated with symptoms of MSDs in different body regions. Conclusions. Improving workplace conditions (both mentally and physically) is suggested for reducing and eliminating musculoskeletal problems among office workers.

Keywords:

• musculoskeletal disorders
• NASA task load index
• office workers
• pain
• rapid office strain assessment

Acknowledgements

Hereby, the authors would like to thank those office personnel who participated in this study. The authors wish to thank Mr H. Argasi from the Research Consultation Center (RCC) at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for his invaluable assistance in editing this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.