Musculoskeletal injuries linked to work-related stress

Work stress has emerged as a significant risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), according to a new study, which also found that job control reduced the likelihood of pain. The US researchers found work stress was one of the variables with the strongest influence on reported back and arm pain. Workers with arm pain were particularly likely to report they were sometimes, often or always stressed.

ergo musculoskeletalWorkers who reported they had the freedom to decide how to do their work were much less likely to suffer arm pain. Similarly, having enough time to get work done appeared to have a protective effect and result in fewer reports of back pain. Job satisfaction also showed up as a significant predictor of musculoskeletal pain for some occupational categories.

The study, conducted by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, was based on two "quality of work life" surveys, and face-to-face interviews with 1564 working adults, who were questioned about back, hand, wrist and shoulder pain.

About 28 per cent of interviewees reported back pain, and the same percentage reported arm pain. More than 15 per cent reported both back and arm pain, and heavy lifting, repetitive or stressful hand movements and awkward postures were identified as significant risk factors.

The likelihood of arm and back pain increased when work stress, repetitive hand movements and heavy lifting were combined.

The researchers said the findings would help identify work factors with a consistent, significant association to work-related MSDs, and enable targeted ergonomic and workplace interventions.

Additional research focusing on the effect of work stress on the development of occupational back pain was warranted, they concluded.

Source: Trends in Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Comparison of Risk Factors for Symptoms Using Quality of Work Life Data From the 2002 and 2006 General Social Survey. Thomas R Waters, et al, US, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Volume 53, Issue 9, September 2011. Re-printed in OHS Alert

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