Examination of Musculoskeletal System Disorders and Ergonomic Conditions in the Work Environment of Academics Providing Distance Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Controlled Study.
Med Sci Monit
; 29: e939901, 2023 Apr 21.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2291681
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate whether the incidence rate of musculoskeletal system disorders changed owing to the increase in the time spent on the computer by academics who did or did not provide distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to assess musculoskeletal discomfort experienced in the past 1 week. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Computer Workstations Evaluation Checklist was used to assess the ergonomic structure of the work environment. The questionnaire assessed musculoskeletal system disorders and collected demographic characteristics. RESULTS The study group included 184 (101 male, 83 female) academics who provided distance education, whereas the control group included 82 (44 male, 38 female) academics who did not provide distance education. The mean ages of academics in the study group and control group were 37.46±7.34 and 41.26±10.06 years, respectively. Although computer-based work environment ergonomics were similar (P>0.05) in both groups during the pandemic, the incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders was significantly high in the study group (P<0.001). These disorders were mostly seen in the neck, back, and waist regions (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that the incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders increased in academics who provided distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Musculoskeletal Diseases
/
Education, Distance
/
COVID-19
/
Musculoskeletal System
/
Occupational Diseases
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Sci Monit
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
MSM.939901
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