Workstyle and Upper-Extremity Symptoms: A Biobehavioral Perspective

Abstract

Workstyle has been proposed to help explain the link between ergonomic and psychosocial factors in work-related upper-extremity symptoms/disorders. This study investigated ergonomic factors, work demands, job stress, and workstyle on pain and functional limitations in computer users. One hundred sixty-nine participants completed self-report ratings of job stress, ergonomic exposures, and workstyle at baseline. Three months, later ratings of pain and functional limitations were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that ergonomic exposure (odds ratio [OR] = 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-5.5), time spent at a computer (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.95-3.6), and higher scores on a workstyle measure (2.4, 95% CI = 1.1-5.3) were independently associated with case status. Path analyses revealed that a model that included ergonomic exposure, work demands, and workstyle predicted pain and functional limitations at 3 months. Workstyle contributes to case definition and is predictive of future pain and functional limitations in office workers with upper extremity symptoms.