Title
Loss of productivity due to neck/shoulder symptoms and hand/arm symptoms: Results from the PROMO-study
Author
van den Heuvel, S.G.
IJmker, S.
Blatter, B.M.
de Korte, E.M.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2007
Abstract
Introduction: The objective of the present study is to describe the extent of productivity loss among computer workers with neck/shoulder symptoms and hand/arm symptoms, and to examine associations between pain intensity, various physical and psychosocial factors and productivity loss in computer workers with neck/shoulder and hand/arm symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. The study population consisted of 654 computer workers with neck/shoulder or hand/arm symptoms from five different companies. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the occurrence of self-reported productivity loss. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations. Results: In 26% of all the cases reporting symptoms, productivity loss was involved, the most often in cases reporting both symptoms (36%). Productivity loss involved sickness absence in 11% of the arm/hand cases, 32% of the neck/shoulder cases and 43% of the cases reporting both symptoms. The multivariate analyses showed statistically significant odds ratios for pain intensity (OR: 1.26; CI: 1.12-1.41), for high effort/no low reward (OR: 2.26; CI: 1.24-4.12), for high effort/low reward (OR: 1.95; CI: 1.09-3.50), and for low job satisfaction (OR: 3.10; CI: 1.44-6.67). Physical activity in leisure time, full-time work and overcommitment were not associated with productivity loss. Conclusion: In most computer workers with neck/shoulder symptoms or hand/arm symptoms productivity loss derives from a decreased performance at work and not from sickness absence. Favorable psychosocial work characteristics might prevent productivity loss in symptomatic workers. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Subject
Workplace
Veilig en Gezond Werken
Computer workers
Musculoskeletal symptoms
Presenteeism
Confidence interval
Hand
Job satisfaction
Leisure
Logistic regression analysis
Medical leave
Multivariate analysis
Neck
Pain assessment
Physical activity
Productivity
Psychological aspect
Reward
Self report
Statistical significance
Statistics
Symptom
Work
Worker
Working time
Absenteeism
Cohort Studies
Computers
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Efficiency
Health Surveys
Humans
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Neck Pain
Netherlands
Occupational Diseases
Shoulder Pain
Upper Extremity
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c70af1f2-03b1-4976-a30f-673d9d8878de
TNO identifier
240160
ISSN
1053-0487
Source
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 17 (3), 370-382
Document type
article