THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG COMPUTER WORKERS

K. Wongwitwichote¹, W. Jalayondeja², K. Mekhora², C. Jalayondeja²

Background: Technology has progressed rapidly, and now plays a major role in daily life; especially for computer workers, which may lead to a sedentary lifestyle with low physical activity. This may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Previous studies still show controversial results of the effectiveness of physical activity on preventing MSDs. However, there is only a small amount of research that has studied the association between physical activity levels and MSDs in computer workers. Understanding, this association can help in the design of programs to either prevent, or decrease MSDs in computer workers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between physical activity levels, and MSDs among computer workers.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, using an online Self-Report Questionnaire on Computer Work-related Exposure (OSCWE) to assess MSDs, and the Thai Physical Activity Guideline (TPAG) questionnaire, to assess physical activity among one-hundred and one, Thai computer workers. Chi-square test was used to determine association between PA levels, and the highest reported pain area during the last 7 days.  

Results: Forty-three out of 101 computer workers (42.57%) had MSDs during the last 7 days. The highest reported pain region was commonly found in upper limb (39.53%), lower limb (37.21%) and neck (32.56%), respectively. Thirty-eight participants (37.62%) had insufficient physical activity (LPA level). This study found that there was significant association between PA levels, and the highest reported pain in the upper extremity region (OR = 3.87 [95% CI, 1.30-11.57], p = 0.011), while there was no significant association between PA levels and neck pain (OR = 2.53 [95% CI, 0.80-7.98]), upper back (OR = 2.61 [95% CI, 0.42-16.41]), lower back (OR = 0.51 [95% CI, 0.13-2.03]) and the lower extremity region (OR = 0.50 [95% CI, 0.15-1.68]), respectively.  

Conclusion(s): The data from this study showed significant association between PA levels, and upper limb pain in computer workers. Further studies should design programs to promote physical activity for preventing MSDs of the upper extremity region in computer workers.

Implications: The data from this study showed significant association between PA levels, and upper limb pain in computer workers. This plays an important role in physiotherapy, to promote and prevent MSDs in computer workers. Physiotherapy units should design programs to promote physical activity for preventing MSDs of the upper extremity region in computer workers. Additionally, this data can develop to establish guidelines or health promotion policies for computer workers.

Funding, acknowledgements: This research was supported by Physical Activities Research Center of Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

Keywords: physical activity, musculoskeletal disorders, computer workers

Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Mahidol University

Committee: Central Institutional Review Board

Ethics number: 2016/029.1202