A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between Telecommuting Environments and Shoulder Pain Among Japanese Telecommuting Workers. Issue 3 (7th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sato, Hideyuki; Matsugaki, Ryutaro; Ando, Hajime; Odagami, Kiminori; Mafune, Kosuke; Tateishi, Seiichiro; Tsuji, Mayumi; Matsuda, Shinya; Fujino, Yoshihisa
• Other Names: Ogami Akira author non-byline.; Hino Ayako author non-byline.; Ando Hajime author non-byline.; Eguchi Hisashi author non-byline.; Muramatsu Keiji author non-byline.; Mori Koji author non-byline.; Mafune Kosuke author non-byline.; Okawara Makoto author non-byline.; Kuwamura Mami author non-byline.; Tsuji Mayumi author non-byline.; Matsugaki Ryutaro author non-byline.; Tateishi Seiichiro author non-byline.; Matsuda Shinya author non-byline.; Ishimaru Tomohiro author non-byline.; Nagata Tomohisa author non-byline.; Fujino Yoshihisa author non-byline.; Igarashi Yu author non-byline.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 65:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: e101
• Page End: e104
• Publication Date: 2023-03-07
• Subjects: shoulder pain -- telecommuting -- work environments -- COVID-19 -- Japan; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002765
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : We found that inappropriate telecommuting environments, such as inadequate desk brightness, inadequate foot space, and uncomfortable temperature and humidity, were associated with shoulder pain among Japanese telecommuters. Employers and workers should improve telecommuting environments together to prevent the development of shoulder pain. Abstract : Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between telecommuting environments and shoulder pain in Japanese telecommuters. Methods: We conducted an Internet-monitored, cross-sectional study and analyzed 2537 participants who mainly telecommuted at least 4 days per week. We assessed the presence of shoulder pain using a numerical rating scale and the characteristics of the telecommuting environment by asking eight questions. We used multilevel logistic regression analysis with the city of residence as a random effect. Results: Inadequate desk brightness (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.78), inadequate foot space (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02–1.58), and uncomfortable temperature and humidity (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16–1.72) were associated with shoulder pain in multilevel logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Inappropriate telecommuting environments were associated with an increase in the prevalence of shoulder pain in Japanese telecommuters.