Musculoskeletal Disorders, Work Stress, and Fatigue of Workers as the Impact of Work from Home Activities during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Introduction: This study aims to determine the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders, work stress and work fatigue in workers from home activities. Methods: This research conducted using cross sectional design. Population is all mother in Indonesia, and sample who participated in the study were 253 mother. Instrument research using Nordic Body Map questionnaire and data collection by online using a valid and reliable questionnaire. Pearson's Product Moment Correlation was use to analysis the correlation between variable. Results: Respondents aged ≤ 30 years (88.1%), mostly was female (72.3%), with a married marital status of 29.2%. Most of the education level is bachelor degree (45.1%) with the largest type of work being private employees as many as 147 people (58.1%). Work activities duration is mostly ≤ 8 hours per day (94.5%), the most used work tools are mobile phones (hand phone) as much as 80.6%. The favourite location chosen for activities is inside the house (42.3%). Conclusion: The results of the correlation test using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation showed that there was no relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and work stress. However, there was a relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and work fatigue. There was also a relationship between work stress and work fatigue. It is suggested that workers who work from home and using mobile devices to do their work in an ergonomic location (work station) to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and work fatigue. © 2022 UPM Press. All rights reserved.

An integrated multi-criteria decision-making approach for identifying the risk level of musculoskeletal disorders among handheld device users.

In work-from-home (WFH) situation due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the handheld device (HHD) users work in awkward postures for longer hours because of unavailability of ergonomically designed workstations. This problem results in different type of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the HHD users. An integrated multi-criteria decision-making approach was offered for identifying the risk level of MSDs among HHD users. A case example implemented the proposed approach in which, firstly, the best-worst method (BWM) technique was used to prioritize and determine the relative importance (weightage) of the risk factors. The weightages of the risk factors further used to rank the seven alternatives (HHD users) using Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) technique. The outcomes of the BWM investigation showed that the three most significant risk factors responsible for MSDs are duration of working, poor working posture and un-ergonomic design. The outcome of the VIKOR technique exhibited that computer professionals were at the highest risk among all users. The risk factor priority must be used for designing a working strategy for the WFH situation which will help to mitigate the risks of MSDs.

Changes in work patterns during COVID-19 lockdown and its impact on the eyes and body.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Greater usage of digital devices and change of work pattern as working from home have created an impact on both visual and musculoskeletal systems. Developing an understanding of these changes could assist in providing appropriate care. BACKGROUND: The current study aims to elicit the changes in work patterns due to COVID-19 lockdown and understand the impact of the usage of digital devices on the visual system and musculoskeletal system. METHODS: A survey was designed using Delphi technique and circulated through electronic communication sources using Google form to the working population and students across India, who consented to participate. The survey had components designed to develop an understanding of work patterns, digital device usage, associated visual/ocular symptoms, work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) symptoms, and relevant information on psychological factors, and practice of yoga/exercises. RESULTS: There were 1302 valid responses. Mean age of respondents was 24 (IQR 11) years and 548 (42.1%) were male. A total of 1231 (94.5%) reported having one or many visual and ocular symptoms associated with the use of digital devices and 1140 (87.6%) responses indicated WRMSD symptoms. Of the symptomatic respondents, 561 (43.1%) had reported visual/ocular symptoms and 586 (45%) WRMSD symptoms during lockdown, which they did not experience during regular work. Risk factors for visual/ocular symptoms and WRMSD were females, spending more than 6 h on digital devices, taking breaks from digital devices after 2 h, inability to maintain a fair sleep schedule, and inability to make ergonomic modifications at home. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of both visual/ocular symptoms (43.1%) and WRMSD symptoms (45%) was encountered during COVID-19 lockdown.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Sonologists during the Pre-COVID-19 and Present COVID-19 Era: a Survey and Review of Best Practices

Background. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) have become an increasing cause of concern among sonologists. In this study, we evaluate the incidence and risk factors for WRMSDs among sonologists in the pre-COVID-19 and present COVID-19 era while identifying high-risk zones for WRMSDs and providing a brief review of optimal working conditions to avoid WRMSDs. Methods. A "Google form" questionnaire with close-ended questions regarding musculoskeletal discomfort was sent to 350 radiologists during the period of February-March 2021. Data was collected by time-based sampling over a period of 15 days. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Results. 77% (n = 100) of the respondents reported suffering from musculoskeletal discomfort, and 70% (n = 100) attributed such discomfort to their profession as a sonologist (p = 0.001). Among sonologists who attributed their musculoskeletal discomfort to their profession, shoulder pain (p = 0.001), neck pain (p = 0.001), lower back pain (p = 0.001), and wrist pain (p = 0.017) were the most common symptoms. When musculoskeletal discomfort was attributed to the profession, a statistically significant association was found with stress level during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.001) and musculoskeletal discomfort attributed to using extra barrier precautions such as transparent screens during ultrasound (US) scans (p = 0.009). Conclusions. Adapting to new safety and ergonomics is the need of the hour. A regular review of the work practices adopted by sonologists, especially in the current context of COVID-19, enforced protective strategies may greatly help in risk identification and minimizing the precipitation of WRMSDs.

The health-related quality of life of patients with musculoskeletal disorders after the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To verify changes in the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with musculoskeletal disorders after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to assess the relationship between the patients' change in several activities of daily living and in the HRQOL to discover factors related to the deterioration in HRQOL. METHODS: A multi-centre cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered between November 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, in Japan. The participants included those who visited the orthopaedics clinic within the survey period and had experienced the first and second waves of COVID-19 in Japan and the first stay-at-home order issued by the government. Patients' HRQOL at the two different time points (pre-outbreak and post-second wave of COVID-19) was assessed with the EuroQoL-5 dimensions 5-level (EQ-5D). RESULTS: The survey was completed by 1254 patients (average age: 52.5 ± 21.9 years; 644 women). Among them, 431 patients (34.3%) reported a decrease in the EQ-5D index after the pandemic. The largest decrease was in the pain domain followed by the mobility domain. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the patients with decreased regular exercise habits were significantly related to deterioration in HRQOL compared with those with stable regular exercise (adjusted odds ratio = 1.76, p < 0.001) independently from age, sex, and change of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Up to 35% of patients with musculoskeletal disorders reported deterioration of HRQOL after the COVID-19 pandemic. Pain and mobility rather than anxiety were the two leading factors of the HRQOL decrease. The decrease in regular exercise was related to the HRQOL decrease.

An assessment of ergonomic issues in the home offices of university employees sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: As millions of workers have shifted to telework, special accommodations for workers with respect to ergonomics may be required to ensure the workforce remains healthy. METHODS: A survey about home office ergonomics and discomfort was sent to faculty, staff, and administrators by email and was completed by 843 individuals. RESULTS: Over 40%of the participants reported moderate to severe discomfort (severe low/middle back pain, moderate discomfort in eyes/neck/head, and discomfort in the upper back/shoulders). Laptops (always and often) were widely used (85%) with most using the laptop monitor (55%) of all respondents. Further, less than 45%of the seating conditions were reported as having adjustable arm rests. CONCLUSION: As teleworking in makeshift offices becomes more common, the risk of significant discomfort and potentially more serious musculoskeletal disorders may result from poor static postures. Companies may need to accommodate workers by allowing them to take home office chairs, external monitors, keyboards, and mice as laptops are insufficient, ergonomically.