Low back pain and telecommuting in Japan: Influence of work environment quality.
J Occup Health
; 64(1): e12329, 2022 Jan.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1800405
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).Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Low Back Pain
/
Occupational Diseases
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Occup Health
Journal subject:
Occupational Medicine
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
1348-9585.12329
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