Neck, Shoulder, and Hand And Wrist Pain Among Administrative Employees: Relation to Work-Time Organization and Psychosocial Factors at Work

Abstract

We sought to analyze the associations between work-time organization, psychosocial factors at work, and musculoskeletal pain of the neck, shoulders, and wrists and hands among administrative employees. We analyzed the pain felt in a population of 762 employees during the 7 days before the survey at any of the three sites studied (multiple logistic regression). We found no associations between work-time organization and neck or shoulder pain. Wrist and hand pain increased with irregular schedule (odds ratio "OR" = 2.01; 95% confidence interval "95% CI" = 1.19-3.41) and lack of advance (at least 8 days) notice of schedule (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.03-3.50). Of the psychosocial factors, only high psychological demand was associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of pain, in the neck and the shoulders (respectively: OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.23-2.82; OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.17-3.03). Prevention by improved psychosocial constraints at work must continue.