IT Professional Work Style Risk Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Abstract
Information Technology (IT) professionals suffer musculoskeletal problems and injuries more frequently due to their type of work which makes them rely on using computers for a prolonged time. The goal of this study is to analyze the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in IT professionals. Amount of 150 IT professionals participated in this study as respondents. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (CMDQ) was used as a measurement tool in determining musculoskeletal complaints among IT professionals. The independent variables (age, gender, working experience, educational level, number of hours spent at work in front of a computer per day, working hours, and exercise habits) that significantly affected the variance in the dependent variable (musculoskeletal disorders) were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis (p-value < 0.05). IT professionals reported experiencing symptoms most frequently 3–4 times per week in the upper back (45.3%) and back (31.3%), and once or twice per week in the upper back (33.3%) and back (31.3%). Then on the discomfort level, IT professionals feel very uncomfortable in the back (71.3%), upper back (68.7%), and neck (64%). The number of hours spent at work in front of a computer per day (p-values of 0.040) and working hours (p-value of 0,032) are significant predictors of IT professional musculoskeletal disorders. IT professionals reported experiencing the greatest musculoskeletal issues in the right upper extremity, which comprises the right wrist, right forearm, right shoulder, and right upper arm (88%). Back (84%) and left lower extremities (82.7%), which include the left thigh, left knee, and left lower legs, are two other issues that most IT professionals have.
Downloads
References
Aydın, A. 2023. 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, Vol. 29. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.939901
Bagheri, S., Haljahi, M. 2019. Ergonomic Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders with Rapid Office Strain Assessment and Its Association with Occupational Burnout among Computer Users at Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2017. Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, Vol. 16:91–96.
Baker, R., Coenen, P., Howie, E., Williamson, A., Straker, L. 2018. The Short Term Musculoskeletal and Cognitive Effects of Prolonged Sitting During Office Computer Work. Int J Environ Res Public Health, Vol. 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15081678
Balogh, I., Arvidsson, I., Björk, J., Hansson, G.-Å., Ohlsson, K., Skerfving, S., Nordander, C. 2019. Work-related neck and upper limb disorders–quantitative exposure–response relationships adjusted for personal characteristics and psychosocial conditions. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, Vol. 20:1–19.
Beyers, C. 2022. Patient Profile on Musculoskeletal Disorders with Biopuncture Treatment at a Health Training Facility in Johannesburg, South Africa. Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg.
Bezzina, A., Austin, E., Nguyen, H., James, C. 2023. Workplace Psychosocial Factors and Their Association With Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies. Workplace Health Saf, 21650799231193578. https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799231193578
Cabral, A.M., Moreira, R.D.F.C., De Barros, F.C., Sato, T.D.O. 2019. Is physical capacity associated with the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers? A cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health, Vol. 92:1159–1172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01455-y
Chen, X., Coombes, B.K., Sjøgaard, G., Jun, D., O’Leary, S., Johnston, V. 2018. Workplace-Based Interventions for Neck Pain in Office Workers: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Phys Ther, Vol. 98:40–62. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzx101
Cheng, H.Y.K., Wong, M.T., Yu, Y.C., Ju, Y.Y. 2016. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk factors in special education teachers and teacher’s aides. BMC Public Health, Vol. 16:137. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2777-7
Chinedu, O.O., Henry, A.T., Nene, J.J., Okwudili. 2020. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office Workers in Higher Education Institutions: A Cross-Sectional Study. Ethiop J Health Sci, Vol. 30:715–724. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v30i5.10
Chiwaridzo, M., Makotore, V., Dambi, J.M., Munambah, N., Mhlanga, M. 2018. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among registered general nurses: a case of a large central hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. BMC Res Notes, Vol. 11:315. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3412-8
Das, A., Shah, S., Adhikari, T.B., Paudel, B.S., Sah, S.K., Das, R.K., Shah, C.P., Adhikari, P.G. 2022. Computer vision syndrome, musculoskeletal, and stress-related problems among visual display terminal users in Nepal. PLoS One, Vol. 17:e0268356. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268356
Etana, G., Ayele, M., Abdissa, D., Gerbi, A. 2021. Prevalence of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors Among Bank Staff in Jimma City, Southwest Ethiopia, 2019: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Pain Research, Vol.14:2071–2082.
Fernandes, C.S., Couto, G., Carvalho, R., Fernandes, D., Ferreira, P. 2018. Self-reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders among health professionals at a hospital in Portugal. Rev. Bras. Med. Trab, Vol. 16:353–359. https://doi.org/10.5327/Z1679443520180230
Fink, D., Oladele, D., Etomi, O., Wapmuk, A., Musari-Martins, T., Agahowa, E., Ekama, S., Okechukwu, A., Mallen, C., Ezechi, O., Salako, B. 2019. Musculoskeletal symptoms and non-prescribed treatments are common in an urban African population of people living with HIV. Rheumatol Int, Vol. 39:285–291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-018-4188-9
Greco, G., Mirbaha, H., Schmuck, B., Rising, A., Pugno, N.M., 2022. Artificial and natural silk materials have high mechanical property variability regardless of sample size. Sci Rep 12, 3507. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07212-5
Hossain, M.D., Aftab, A., Al Imam, M.H., Mahmud, I., Chowdhury, I.A., Kabir, R.I., Sarker, M. 2018a. Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and ergonomic risk assessment among readymade garment workers of Bangladesh: A cross sectional study. PLoS One, Vol. 13:e0200122. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200122
Hossain, M.D., Aftab, A., Al Imam, M.H., Mahmud, I., Chowdhury, I.A., Kabir, R.I., Sarker, M. 2018b. Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and ergonomic risk assessment among readymade garment workers of Bangladesh: A cross sectional study. PLoS One, Vol. 13:e0200122. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200122
Hwang, M., Lee, S., Lim, C. 2021. Effects of the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique on Scapula Function in Office Workers with Scapula Dyskinesis. Medicina (Kaunas), Vol. 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040332
Jeong, H.-S., Suh, B.-S., Kim, S.-G., Kim, W.-S., Lee, W.-C., Son, K.-H., Nam, M.-W. 2018. Comparison of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms between male cameramen and male office workers. Ann Occup Environ Med, Vol. 30.
Kasaw Kibret, A., Fisseha Gebremeskel, B., Embaye Gezae, K., Solomon Tsegay, G. 2020. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors Among Bankers in Ethiopia, 2018. Pain Research and Management, pp. 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8735169
Le, P., Marras, W.S. 2016. Evaluating the low back biomechanics of three different office workstations: Seated, standing, and perching. Appl Ergon, Vol. 56:170–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2016.04.001
Malińska, M., Bugajska, J., Bartuzi, P. 2021. Occupational and non-occupational risk factors for neck and lower back pain among computer workers: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, Vol. 27:1108–1115. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1899650
Marques, A., Matos, C., Nikiphorou, E., Livermore, P., Ferreira, R.J. 2023. Towards a consensus for nurse education of methotrexate for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: A scoping review. Musculoskeletal Care.
Mekonnen, T.H., Kekeba, G.G., Azanaw, J., Kabito, G.G. 2020. Prevalence and healthcare seeking practice of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among informal sectors of hairdressers in Ethiopia, 2019: findings from a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, Vol. 20:718. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08888-y
Mohan, V., Inbaraj, L.R., George, C.E., Norman, G. 2019. Prevalence of complaints of arm, neck, and shoulders among computer professionals in Bangalore: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Vol. 8:171–177.
Motamedzadeh, M. 2021. Ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders in bank staff: an interventional follow-up study in Iran.
Nag, P.K. 2018. Musculoskeletal Disorders: Office Menace, in: Office Building, Design Science and Innovation. Springer, Singapore, pp. 105–126.
Oakman, J., Clune, S., Stuckey, R. 2019. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Australia 2019: the latest research on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Safe Work Australia, Canberra.
Pereira, L., Plácido da Silva, H. 2023. A Novel Smart Chair System for Posture Classification and Invisible ECG Monitoring. Sensors (Basel), Vol. 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23020719
Prall, J., Ross, M. 2019. The management of work-related musculoskeletal injuries in an occupational health setting: the role of the physical therapist. J Exerc Rehabil, Vol. 15:193–199. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1836636.318
Rahma, R.A.A., Arifah, D.A., Rosanti, E. 2023. Factors Associated with Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk among Bamboo Craftsman in Mojorejo Village, Ponorogo Indonesia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vol. 19.
Russo, F., Di Tecco, C., Fontana, L., Adamo, G., Papale, A., Denaro, V., Iavicoli, S. 2020. Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders in Italian workers: is there an underestimation of the related occupational risk factors? BMC Musculoskelet Disord, Vol. 21:738. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03742-z
Shariat, A., Cleland, J.A., Danaee, M., Moradi, V., Tamrin, S.B.M. 2018. Relationships between Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and Online Rapid Office Strain Assessment Questionnaire. Iran J Public Health, Vol. 47.
Sirajudeen, M.S., Alaidarous, M., Waly, M., Alqahtani, M. 2018. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among faculty members of college of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Health Sciences, Vol. 12.
Tegenu, H., Gebrehiwot, M., Azanaw, J., Akalu, T.Y. 2021. Self-Reported Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors among Restaurant Workers in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2021, pp 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6082506
Ting, J.Z.R., Chen, X., Johnston, V. 2019. Workplace-Based Exercise Intervention Improves Work Ability in Office Workers: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health, Vol. 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152633
Van Veldhoven, Z., Vanthienen, J. 2022. Digital transformation as an interaction-driven perspective between business, society, and technology. Electron Markets, Vol. 32:629–644. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-021-00464-5
Vasanthi, R.K., Malik, A., Purushothaman, V.K., Subramaniam, A. 2023. Prevalence Of Upper Limb Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Cameramen In Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, Vol. 58.
Yizengaw, M.A., Mustofa, S.Y., Ashagrie, H.E., Zeleke, T.G. 2021. Prevalence and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorder among health care providers working in the operation room. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, Vol. 72, 102989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102989