The Ergonomic Behaviors Evaluation Tool (EBET) based on social cognitive theory for the assembly line workers: development and psychometric assessment.

BACKGROUND: Ergonomic behaviors play a crucial role in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). To measure these behaviors, this research aimed to develop and evaluate an ergonomic behaviors tool (EBET) based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) among women workers on assembly lines (WwAL). METHODS: The study was conducted from December 2022 to January 2023 with a focus on the psychometric assessment of EBET. Initially, a literature review and interviews were carried out to identify crucial concepts and primary items. The questionnaire's validity was evaluated using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and the Content Validity Index (CVI). To determine the domains of the tool, construct validity was examined by administering the items to 270 eligible women. The reliability of the tool was assessed using McDonald's Omega coefficient. RESULTS: From a total of 67 primary items, 50 were confirmed. The study demonstrated good validity with CVR = 0.92 and CVI = 0.97, along with reliable results indicated by McDonald's Omega coefficient of 0.74. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed ten distinct dimensions: outcome expectations, outcome expectancies, normative beliefs, perceived barriers, social support, observational learning, reinforcement, behavioral skills, self-efficacy, and intention. Together, these dimensions accounted for 66.25% of the variance in the data. Additionally, the confirmatory factor analysis results supported the presence of these ten constructs and demonstrated a satisfactory fit. CONCLUSIONS: EBET is a dependable and valid instrument for evaluating the ergonomic behaviors of workers, utilizing the principles of SCT. Researchers can employ EBET to gather data and implement suitable training interventions to enhance ergonomic behavior among WwAL. However, it is crucial to recognize that EBET may not encompass all facets of ergonomic behaviors. Therefore, it is imperative for future research to prioritize the evaluation of EBET's suitability among diverse worker populations and to consider additional dimensions of ergonomics to ensure its wider applicability and effectiveness.

Face the (unamplified) music: Key findings for musicians.

Music is complex. There are risks to hearing health associated with playing due to excessive sound exposure. Face the Music is an on-going cross-sectional project to assess the risks to unamplified classical musicians. Key findings over the first fifteen years are presented based on the research undertaken with a leading conservatoire on more than 5000 classical music students. The work covers hearing health surveillance, education and awareness, sound exposure, and new technology. The future of the research programme is discussed along with opportunities in objective hearing health assessment and new acoustic solutions. A lot has changed in fifteen years, but the research was driven by a change in United Kingdom legislation. It is hoped that the research results can inform future regulation.

An urgent call to address work-related psychosocial hazards and improve worker well-being.

Work-related psychosocial hazards are on the verge of surpassing many other occupational hazards in their contribution to ill-health, injury, disability, direct and indirect costs, and impact on business and national productivity. The risks associated with exposure to psychosocial hazards at work are compounded by the increasing background prevalence of mental health disorders in the working-age population. The extensive and cumulative impacts of these exposures represent an alarming public health problem that merits immediate, increased attention. In this paper, we review the linkage between work-related psychosocial hazards and adverse effects, their economic burden, and interventions to prevent and control these hazards. We identify six crucial societal actions: (1) increase awareness of this critical issue through a comprehensive public campaign; (2) increase etiologic, intervention, and implementation research; (3) initiate or augment surveillance efforts; (4) increase translation of research findings into guidance for employers and workers; (5) increase the number and diversity of professionals skilled in preventing and addressing psychosocial hazards; and (6) develop a national regulatory or consensus standard to prevent and control work-related psychosocial hazards.

Physical and psychosocial work-related exposures and the occurrence of disorders of the shoulder: A systematic review update.

This review is an update of a previous systematic review and assesses the evidence for the association of work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors and specific disorders of the shoulders. Medline, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central and PsycINFO were searched and study eligibility and risk of bias assessment was performed by two independent reviewers. A total of 14 new articles were added with the majority focusing on rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) with seven studies. Nine articles reported psychosocial exposures in addition to physical exposures. The strongest evidence was found for the association between elevation, repetition, force and vibration and the occurrence of SIS and tendinosis/tendonitis. Evidence also suggests that psychosocial exposures are associated with the occurrence of RCS and tendinosis/tendonitis. Other findings were inconsistent which prevents drawing strong conclusions.

Work-Related Mental Health Problems in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: The study identifies work-related risk factors that are relevant to mental health and quantifies their influence. This allows estimation of risk levels for individual workplaces and of the proportion of occupational causation in the emergence of mental health problems. METHODS: Swiss Health Survey data, containing information on several potential risk factors and health indicators that cover aspects of mental health, were used in multiple multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Stress was the predominant risk factor, followed by exposure to violence, unergonomic work processes, and work that conflicted with family life. Hotel and restaurant industries and health and social services had high exposure to risk factors. One of 20 workplaces was deemed high-risk based on an odds ratio >4. CONCLUSIONS: Up to one-third of mental health problems within the active workforce may have highly predominant occupational causation.

Physiological Responses to Organizational Stressors Among Police Managers.

Police officers demonstrate increased risk of physical and mental health conditions due to repeated and prolonged exposure to stressful occupational conditions. Occupational stress is broken into two types: operational stress, related to the content of field duties (e.g., physical demands); and organizational stress, related to cultural and structural contexts (e.g., interpersonal relationships). Applied police research focuses on physiological activation in operational tasks as a mechanism explaining health risk and non-optimal performance outcomes. However, recent survey-based studies indicate numerous organizational stressors associated with self-reported mental health symptoms. The question of whether organizational stressors elicit significant physiological activity remains unknown. The current proof-of-concept field study tests the hypothesis that police managers will display significant physiological reactivity before, during, and after engaging in reality-based scenarios representative of stressful police management tasks developed from evidence-based pedagogical approaches. A sample of 25 training police managers (7 female, M = 16 +/- 5.3 years of experience) completed 5 reality-based scenarios, including resolving a heated conflict between colleagues, delivering negative feedback to a subordinate, and critical incident command. Significant increases in heart rate relative to rest were observed during all tasks, and in anticipation of several tasks. Greater increases in reactive heart rate were associated with longer recovery times. Sex differences and relationships between objective biological and subjective psychological measures of stress are discussed. The current findings demonstrate significant physiological responses to organizational stressors similar to levels observed during operational tasks, despite the absence of physical or aerobic exertion. Implications for police health and training are discussed.

329ª Reunião Ordinária do Conselho Nacional de Saúde - 28 abr. 2022

342º Reunião Ordinária do Conselho Nacional de Saúde - 10 maio 2023

An Exploration of the Influence of Non-Biomechanical Factors on Lifting-Related LBP.

Objective: The primary objective was to compare non-biomechanical factors between manual workers with and without a history of LBP related to lifting. A secondary objective was to investigate associations between the change in pain intensity during repeated lifting (termed pain ramp) and non-biomechanical factors tested in the LBP group. Methods: Manual workers currently in lifting occupations with and without a history of lifting-related LBP were recruited (21 LBP and 20 noLBP) and took part in a repeated (100) lift task. A series of non-biomechanical factors, including psychological, work-related, lifestyle, whole health and psychophysical factors, were collected. Psychophysical factors (pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and fatigue) were also measured at different time points. Associations between pain ramp during lifting and non-biomechanical factors were investigated with linear regression. Results: The LBP group reported worse perceived sleep quality, more musculoskeletal pain sites other than LBP and greater symptoms related to gastrointestinal complaints and pseudo-neurology compared to the group with no history of LBP. The group with LBP were also slightly more worried about the lifting task and felt more fatigued at the end of the lifting task. The feeling of fatigue during lifting was positively associated with pain ramp in the LBP group. Anxiety and gastrointestinal complaints were weakly negatively associated with pain ramp during lifting. Conclusions: The group differences of poorer perceived sleep, greater non-specific health complaints, slightly more worry about the lifting task and more perceived fatigue in the LBP group highlight the complex and multi-factorial nature of LBP related to lifting. The feeling of fatigue was positively associated with pain ramp in the LBP group, suggesting a close relationship with pain and fatigue during lifting that requires further exploration.

Low Back Pain and Upper-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in French Postal Workers Driving Light-Duty Vehicles for Mail and Parcel Delivery.

Occupational driving of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) became increasingly important in parcel delivery faced with the explosive growth of e-commerce. Since musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent the most reported driving-related health problem, we aimed to analyze the risk of low back pain (LBP) and upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) associated with driving LDVs for parcel delivery. In 306 postal workers exposed to driving and 100 unexposed workers, information on occupational driving, physical/psychosocial constraints, and work organization were collected via a questionnaire. MSDs were assessed using the Nordic Questionnaire, 14 additional questions regarding LBP, and a standardized clinical examination for UEMSDs. Statistical modeling consisted of multivariable logistic regression for UEMSDs and the item response theory approach for LBP. UEMSDs were associated with the distance of rural rounds and inversely associated with urban/mixed delivery rounds. Handling heavy loads was associated with LBP, and high physical demands during delivery rounds were related to MSDs. Karasek dimensions and mobbing actions were associated with MSDs. Work recognition, driving training, using an automatic gearbox, and the utilization of additional staff during peak periods were inversely associated with MSDs. Our results suggest that the distance driven in rural settings and high physical demands were associated with MSDs, while some organizational factors could protect from MSDs.

Riscos, acidentes e doenças profissionais no bloco operatório central do hospital central de Maputo, no período de outubro a dezembro de 2021 / Risks, accidents and occupational diseases in the central operating theatre of the central hospital of Maputo, from october to december 2021

Introdução: Os riscos, acidentes e doenças profissionais a que os trabalhadores de saúde estão expostos no ambiente hospitalar, constitui um problema de saúde pública reconhecido mundialmente, em particular em Moçambique. Objectivo: analisar os riscos, acidentes e doenças profissionais dos trabalhadores da saúde afectos no Bloco Operatório Central do Hospital Central de Maputo. Métodos: É um estudo descritivo e transversal observacional no Bloco Operatório Central do HCM. A recolha de dados foi feita através de um questionário aos trabalhadores de saúde, no período de Outubro a Dezembro de 2021. Os dados foram analisados usando o programa SPSS versão 21 e aplicados testes de qui-quadrado. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 196 trabalhadores da saúde, dos quais 101 do sexo feminino e 95 do sexo masculino. 50% dos inqueridos sofreram riscos (biológicos, químicos, físicos e ergonómicos), dos quais 51% do sexo feminino e 49% do sexo masculino. Os médicos residentes foram os que mais se destacaram no grupo dos trabalhadores que sofreram acidentes, com 30,6% de casos, seguido por enfermeiros com 20,4%, médicos anestesistas 16,3%, agentes de serviço 11,2% e administrativos com 10,2%. Dos acidentes, os ricos biológicos foram os mais frequentes; sendo com fluidos Biológicos foi registo 46,9% e picada com agulha e outros instrumentos contundentes 53,1%, os acidentes com material biológico foram os mais frequentes entre os trabalhadores com idade inferior a 30 anos e em indivíduos do sexo feminino. Conclusão: As condições de trabalho do BOC do HCM são inseguras onde se destacam: a degradação da estrutura física das salas de operações, a fraca qualidade de alguns equipamentos de protecção individual, a insuficiência de iluminação e a falta de climatização do local. Durante o estudo não foi possível identificar doenças profissionais, pois, após a exposição por riscos ou acidente de trabalho, os trabalhadores fazem a profilaxia, e ao terminarem os mesmos não voltam para o seguimento clinico.

Introduction: Health workers in their workplace are exposed to risks of accidents or get diseases, because the hospital environment is a healthy place, insofar as it provides an exposure of workers to physical, chemical, chemical risks, mechanical and, mainly, biological. This study addresses the risks and occupational diseases in the Central Operating Room Service of the Maputo Central Hospital, located in Maputo City, in Mozambique. Objective: The present research aims to analyze the occupational risks and illnesses of health workers assigned to the Central Operating Room of the MCH. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study, based on data collected at the Central Operating Room Service of the MCH. October data collection was done through an October 2 data collection period. For data collection use data from the Reported Case Report Form. The SPSS version 21 program and chi-square tests were used to analyze the results. Results: 196 health workers were interviewed, of which 101 were female and 95 were male. 50% of respondents suffered from Risks (Biological, Chemical, Physical and Ergonomic), of which 51% were female and 49% male. Resident physicians stood out the most in the group of workers who suffered accidents, with 30.6% of cases, followed by nurses with 20.4%, anesthesiologists with 16.3%, service agents with 11.2% and administrative with 10.2%. In the Central Operating Room Service, biological riches were the most frequent, with Biological fluids recording 46.9% and pricking with needles and other blunt instruments 53.1%. Conclusion: The working conditions of the BOC of the MCH are unsafe, where the following stand out: the degradation of the physical structure of the operating rooms, the poor quality of some personal protective equipment, insufficient lighting and lack of air conditioning in the place. Accidents with biological material were the most frequent among workers under the age of 30 years and among female individuals. The most affected categories were Resident Physicians, Nurses, Service Agents, Anesthesiologists and Administrative Physicians. Additionally, the group of employees with previous PCI training was the one most involved in accidents.

La resiliencia como predictora del impacto negativo (depresión, ansiedad y estrés) del COVID-19 en médicos de atención primaria / Resilience as a predictor of the negative impact (depression, anxiety and stress) of COVID-19 in primary care physicians

Antecedentes La actual situación sanitaria está provocando un detrimento de la salud mental, siendo los médicos de atención primaria un colectivo muy afectado. Objetivo El objetivo es descubrir si la variable resiliencia es predictora del impacto negativo que está generando el COVID-19, entendido en las variables de depresión, ansiedad y estrés; y analizar, a su vez, qué factores resilientes contribuyen a explicar las varianzas de dichas variables y qué variables control son también predictoras. Método Se ha llevado a cabo una investigación cuantitativa, concretamente un diseño ex post facto no experimental de grupo único. La muestra seleccionada fueron 268 médicos de atención primaria, colectivo muy afectado por la pandemia, a quienes se les administró un cuestionario sociodemográfico, la Escala de Resiliencia SV-RES, en su versión reducida de 36 ítems, y la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés DAS-21. Resultados Los resultados de las regresiones lineales mostraron que la resiliencia, con una relación negativa, predice la depresión (un 22,2%), la ansiedad (un 8,3%) y el estrés (un 12,3%), siendo los factores metas e identidad los que contribuyen significativamente a explicar las distintas varianzas. A su vez, dentro de las variables control, la toma de psicofármacos, el sexo (excepto para la variable depresión) y la decisión de acudir al psicólogo fueron predictoras de las diversas variables. Conclusiones Los hallazgos de esta investigación avivan la necesidad de promover la resiliencia entre los médicos de atención primaria, con la intención de reducir sus niveles de depresión, ansiedad y estrés (AU)

Background The current health situation is causing a detriment to mental health, where primary care physicians is a very affected group. Objective The objective is to discover whether the resilience variable is a predictor of the negative impact generated by COVID-19, understood in the variables of depression, anxiety and stress; and analyze, in turn, which resilient factors help to explain the variances of the variables and which control variables are also predictors. Method A quantitative research has been carried out, specifically a single group non-experimental ex post facto design. The selected sample consisted of 268 primary care physicians, a group highly affected by the pandemic, who were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the SV-RES Resilience Scale, in its reduced version of 36 items, and the Depression, Anxiety and Depression Scale, DAS-21 stress. Results The results of the linear regressions showed how resilience, with a negative relationship, predicts depression (22.2%), anxiety (8.3%) and stress (12.3%), being the goals and identity factors that contribute significantly to explain the different variances. In turn, within the control variables, taking drugs, gender (except for the depression variable) and the decision to go to the psychologist were predictors of the various variables. Conclusions The findings of this research intensify the necessity of promoting resilience among primary care physicians, with the intention of reducing their levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (AU)

Workplace Social Capital as Buffer for Emotional Demands and Perceived Stress in Symphony Orchestras: A Danish Cross-Sectional Survey.

INTRODUCTION: High workplace social capital (WSC) is associated with improved occupational health in the common occupational areas. However, little is known on WSC and its effect on the emotional demands and stress seen in the work of classical symphonic musicians. AIM: To investigate whether WSC moderates the associations between emotional demands and stress in the professional musicians working in Danish symphony orchestras. METHODS: This cross-sectional study builds on existing data collected on a sample of 341 Danish classical symphonic musicians. An interaction model based on multiple regression with bias corrected boot-strapping was used to assess the moderating effect of low, medium and high levels of WSC on the association between emotional demands and perceived stress. RESULTS: WSC had a significant moderating effect on the association between emotional demands and perceived stress: b = -0.01, t(212) = -2.40, p = 0.018. At low levels of WSC the effect of emotional demands on stress was strongest, declining at higher levels of WSC in a dose response pattern: low-WSC, b = 0.23, t(212) 3.20, p = 0.002, medium-WSC, b = 0.11, t(212) = 2.40, p = 0.017, and high-WSC, b = 0.04, t(212) = 0.75, p = 0.455. CONCLUSION: The study indicates a buffering effect of WSC on the association between emotional demands and stress in the work of orchestra musicians. Thus, enhancement of WSC could be a potential stress-preventing strategy in symphony orchestras and should be investigated in future studies on musicians' mental health.

Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Professional Musicians: Do Self-employed and Employer-employed Musicians Differ?

Concerns have been raised for the health and wellbeing of self-employed workers. Musicians are the 'original' gig workers, and musicians have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs). Studies of musicians' MSSs have typically focused on classical, employer-employed musicians; leaving self-employed musicians under-investigated. We investigated the prevalence of MSS outcomes in all types of professional musicians, and compared the MSS outcomes between self-employed and employer-employed musicians. We conducted a cross-sectional study of professional musicians. Given the large proportion of musicians who were both self-employed and employer-employed, three groups were compared: self-employed only (self-employed group), employer-employed only (employer-employed group), and both self-employed and employer-employed (both group) musicians. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted. A total of 225 professional musicians were included in the study, 87.9% of whom reported MSSs in the last 12 months. For MSSs that impaired musical activity, the 12-month prevalence was 43.2%. Musicians in the self-employed group reported a significantly higher 7-day prevalence of MSSs compared with those in the employer-employed group. Compared with musicians in the employer-employed group, musicians in the both group reported a higher 12-month prevalence of MSSs that impaired musical activity. A higher proportion of symptomatic musicians in the both group reported seeing a health professional for their MSSs, compared with the employer-employed group. Similarly, symptomatic musicians in the both group reported higher ratings of emotional impact from MSSs, compared with symptomatic musicians in the employer-employed group. The majority of musicians have experienced MSSs. Several significant differences were reported between the three groups of musicians, with musicians in the both group generally reporting poorer MSS outcomes, compared with musicians in the employer-employed group. There are several potential reasons for why musicians who are both self-employed and employer-employed appear to have poorer MSS outcomes, including the stress of balancing multiple demands. Further research is required into the risk factors for MSS outcomes in self-employed musicians, including those who are both self-employed and employer-employed, and interventions should be directed towards self-employed musicians to minimise the MSS burden.

Effects of multiple risk factors on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders among workers in inner Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The literature discussing musculoskeletal diseases of inner northeastern workers is scarce, although 67,559 cases were reported in Brazil between 2007 and 2016. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of multiple risk factors that influence the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in wrists, elbows, and shoulders in workers from four different economic sectors. METHODS: A sample included 420 workers from the inner regions of the Brazilian states of Alagoas and Bahia. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to capture pain symptoms on both sides of the body (left and right). Sociodemographic variables, items from the biomechanical exposure and organizational conditional, in addition to other questionnaires (JCQ, COPSOQ II, ERI) were used to assess the characteristics and occupational risks of the respondents. Ordinal logistic regression model was using to identify the relationship between symptoms and factors. RESULTS: This study highlights the psychosocial, biomechanical, occupational, and sociodemographic variables contributed to development of WMSDs. Use of hand-vibrating tool increased the likelihood of symptoms manifesting on the body. On the other hand, high job control and high job insecurity reduced the likelihood of developing symptoms. On the other hand, high job control and job satisfaction reduced the likelihood of developing symptoms. Factors such as age, curved spine, high job insecurity and excessive commitment contributed to the development of WMSDs only on one side of the body. CONCLUSIONS: The development of WMSDs is multifactorial. Sociodemographic, occupational, biomechanical, and psychosocial factors may commonly contribute to WMSD manifesting only on one side of the body more than on both sides.

Frequency of musculoskeletal complaints and their associated risk factors among computer workers.

BACKGROUND: Computer-related work has become a part of the daily routine of workers of many occupations which leads to pains of multiple parts of the musculoskeletal system. OBJECTIVES: To examine the frequency and severity of musculoskeletal complaints of different regions of the body, and to examine the relationship between work-related risk factors with musculoskeletal complaints. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-six computer workers were selected by non-probability purposive sampling from three clusters of computer sectors. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Respondents were interviewed and their height and weight were measures. Confidentiality was assured. RESULTS: The most common musculoskeletal complaints were shoulder (45%), neck (43%), and upper-middle back (36%) pain. The complaints were related to the female gender, increase duration of computer and using a computer at home. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal complaints and psychosocial stresses were related to increasing the duration of computer work.

Ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors for low back pain among rice farmers in West Bengal, India.

BACKGROUND: Rice farming is considered the most crucial industry in India, where millions of farmers suffer from LBP. OBJECTIVES: The present study's primary objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of low back pain among India's rice farmers and determine the relationship between low back pain and ergonomic risk factors and psychosocial factors encountered by the farmers. METHODS: Socio-demographics, ergonomics risk factors and psychosocial factors that cause LBP among rice farmers were examined. Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Oswestry LBP Questionnaire were administered among the farmers to evaluate the LBP. Univariate analysis was done to find out the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals among the farmers. RESULTS: The primary findings from this study regarding the psychosocial factors, such as perceived inadequacy of income (84.7%), job demands (78.1%), work demand targets specific productivity (76.5%), rigidity in work methods (75.3%), monotony at work (73.2 %), have a relationship with LBP. The results also revealed that the relationship between the low back pain and ergonomic risk factors, such as repetitiveness (OR- 4.215; 95% CI- 2.551-6.965), working in awkward posture (OR- 85.82; 95% CI- 43.134-170.77), lifting loads (OR- 0.281; 95% CI- 0.125-0.324), pulling loads (OR- 0.274; 95% CI- 0.173-0.434), showed significant relationship with LBP in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LBP among rice farmers connected with ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors. The awkward posture, MMH (lifting and carrying) are the main causative factors of LBP.

Influence of Prolonged Visual Display Terminal Use on Physical and Mental Conditions among Health Care Workers at Tertiary Hospitals, Taiwan.

This study aimed to examine the effects of prolonged VDT working time on physical and mental health disadvantages among health care workers (HCWs) in tertiary hospitals based on their work characteristics, age, and sex. Included in the study were 945 and 1868 participants in the non-doctor/nurse and doctor/nurse groups, respectively. The questionnaire included VDT usage-related information, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), computer vision syndrome (CVS), perceived occupational stress, burnout, the Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5 (BSRS-5), and self-rated health (SRH). After adjustment, multiple logistical regression analysis revealed that the two groups showed that the longer the VDT working time, the higher the risk of muscle pain, severe headaches, severe job stress, and self-assessed bad sleep quality. This showed that the condition of the doctor/nurse group was more severe than that of the non-doctor/nurse group. According to the stratified analysis by sex and age, in the group of women under the age of 30, the adjusted odds ratio value of physical and mental conditions increased with longer VDT working time and was statistically significant. The result show that it is important to reduce daily VDT exposure for doctor, nurses, and women under 30.

Musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among office workers in an activity-based work environment.

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated factors among office workers working in the activity-based workplace (ABW). Methods. Forty-two office workers with an ABW and 68 office workers as controls participated. The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, the Baecke physical activity questionnaire, the Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire III and the fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire were used and the pain pressure threshold (PPT) was measured. Results. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of MSDs in most body areas between the ABW and control groups. The ABW group experienced significantly (p < 0.05) more right wrist, hand and finger (WHF) pain in the past 6 months when compared with the control group. The ABW group demonstrated significantly (p < 0.05) more work-related physical activity and daily time spent standing. There were no significant differences in other pain-related factors measured. Conclusions. Office workers with an ABW had a similar prevalence of MSDs to office workers with a designated workplace and no differences in associated factors.