Relations between work and upper extremity musculoskeletal problems (UEMSP) and the moderating role of psychosocial work factors on the relation between computer work and UEMSP

The impaired healing hypothesis: a mechanism by which psychosocial stress and personal characteristics increase MSD risk?

While the effects of physical risk factors on MSD development have been a primary focus of musculoskeletal research, psychological stressors, and certain personal characteristics (e.g. ageing, sex, and obesity) are also associated with increased MSD risk. The psychological and personal characteristics listed above share a common characteristic: all are associated with disruption of the body's neuroendocrine and immune responses resulting in an impaired healing process. An impaired healing response may result in reduced fatigue life of musculoskeletal tissues due to a diminished ability to keep pace with accumulating damage (perhaps reparable under normal circumstances), and an increased vulnerability of damaged tissue to further trauma owing to the prolonged healing process. Research in engineered self-healing materials suggests that decreased healing kinetics in the presence of mechanical loading can substantially reduce the fatigue life of materials. A model of factors influencing damage accrual and healing will be presented. Practitioner summary: This article provides a potential reason why musculoskeletal disorder risk is affected by psychosocial stress, age, sex, and obesity. The reason is that these factors are all associated with a slower than normal healing response. This may lead to faster damage development in musculoskeletal tissues resulting in higher MSD risk.

Musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial factors and work ability in Brazilian labor justice workers

BACKGROUND

The implementation of the electronic judicial process (PJe) in recent years is associated with an increase in workload and stricter control through productivity targets in the Brazilian labor judiciary.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relations between musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial factors and work ability in civil servants of a labor justice body in the context of the PJe.

METHODS

A cross-sectional exploratory study with a quantitative approach involving 449 workers. Sociodemographic, occupational and related data were collected through questionnaires validated in the Brazilian context. Data analysis was conducted by descriptive and inferential statistics: Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

There was a correlation between musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors (p < 0.05), as well as between both musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors with reduced work ability (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression model pointed to the female gender and the dimensions "demands", "control" and "peer support" as related to the musculoskeletal symptoms.

CONCLUSION

We highlight the importance of a broader approach, involving psychosocial factors in preventive actions related to musculoskeletal disorders considering the important relationship with work ability.

Evaluation of the Quebec Healthy Enterprise Standard: Effect on Adverse Physical and Psychosocial Work Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Problems

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Quebec Healthy Enterprise Standard (QHES) on adverse physical and psychosocial work factors and work-related musculoskeletal problems (WMSP).

METHODS

Workers of 10 organizations completed questionnaires before (n = 2849) and 2 to 3 years following (n = 2560) QHES implementation. Outcomes were assessed using validated instruments.

RESULTS

Workers exposed to adverse physical and psychosocial work factors had a higher prevalence of WMSP. After interventions, the prevalences of one adverse physical and three adverse psychosocial work factors were lower among workers exposed to interventions. Among men exposed to physical and psychosocial interventions, the lower prevalence of neck WMSP is compatible with a beneficial intervention effect. Other results generally showed few effects on WMSP.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that QHES implementation lead to a decrease in some adverse physical and psychosocial work factors. Few effects were observed on WMSP.