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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Occupational Safety and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 8292

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Federica Masci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biosystem, Animal & Human Health Engineering Division, Measure, Model & Manage Bioresponses' (M3-BIORES) Lab, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Interests: musculoskeletal disorders; risk assessment; prevention

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Work-related musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are among the most serious and pervasive work-related illnesses, resulting in significant financial costs for individuals, organizations, and society worldwide. Physical, organizational, psychological, sociodemographic, and individual factors all have the potential to contribute to MSDs. Because of these various causes, the most effective strategy to tackle MSDs is through a combined and "holistic" approach. New changes are having or may be having an impact on worker exposure to MSD risk factors: the ageing population and workforce, increasing employment in the services sector, new business models and forms of employment, new business organization, digitalization, sedentary work, etc. Therefore, all the preventive strategies to improve the prevention of MSDs as well as the management of chronic MSDs in workplaces have to keep up with these new trends and changes.

In this frame, it is critical for the scientific community to provide quantitative data on MSD prevalence, to improve the understanding of the underlying causes of MSDs through targeted data analysis, and to contribute to the earlier detection of emerging trends and risks at work, in order to enable more timely and effective interventions. Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, especially those that combine a high academic standard with a practical focus.

Dr. Federica Masci
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • musculoskeletal diseases prevention and control
  • biomechanical overload
  • fatigue
  • risk assessment
  • exposure assessment
  • MSDs risk management
  • risk factors
  • chronic diseases
  • ageing
  • ergonomics

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 515 KiB  
Article
Employees Working from Home: Do Leadership Factors Influence Work-Related Stress and Musculoskeletal Pain?
by Jodi Oakman, Katrina A. Lambert, Victoria P. Weale, Rwth Stuckey and Melissa Graham
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3046; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20043046 - 9 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1604
Abstract
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid public health response, which included mandatory working from home (WFH) for many employees. However, given the rapid change from traditional ways of working, evidence is limited on the role of leaders, managers, and supervisors [...] Read more.
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid public health response, which included mandatory working from home (WFH) for many employees. However, given the rapid change from traditional ways of working, evidence is limited on the role of leaders, managers, and supervisors in supporting their employees’ physical and mental health whilst WFH. The study aimed to examine the impact of leaders through their management of psychosocial working conditions on employees’ stress and musculoskeletal pain (MSP) levels whilst WFH. Methods: Data from 965 participants (230 males, 729 females, 6 other) involved in the Employees Working from Home (EWFH) study, collected in October 2020, and April and November 2021, were analysed. Generalised mixed-effect models were used to test relationships between psychosocial leadership factors and employees’ stress and MSP levels. Results: Higher quantitative demands are associated with increased stress (B: 0.289, 95%CI 0.245, 0.333), presence of MSP (OR: 2.397, 95%CI 1.809, 3.177), and increased MSP levels (RR: 1.09, 95%CI 1.04, 1.14). Higher levels of vertical trust decreased stress (B: −0.094, 95%CI −0.135, −0.052) and presence of MSP (OR: 0.729, 95%CI 0.557, 0.954). Role clarity decreased stress (B: −0.055, 95%CI −0.104, −0.007) and levels of MSP (RR: 0.93, 95%CI 0.89, 0.96). Working with interruptions was associated with increased stress (B: 0.199, 95%CI 0.119, 0.280) and MSP (OR: 1.834, 95%CI 1.094, 3.072). Conclusion: Leaders will need to take a broad view of job design, taking into account physical and psychosocial aspects of work, to effectively support employees WFH and manage stress and MSP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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18 pages, 930 KiB  
Article
Low Back Pain and Upper-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in French Postal Workers Driving Light-Duty Vehicles for Mail and Parcel Delivery
by Anca Radauceanu, Michel Grzebyk, Stéphanie Boini, Mathieu Dziurla, Jean-Jacques Atain-Kouadio and Agnès Aublet-Cuvelier
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2509; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20032509 - 31 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1603
Abstract
Occupational driving of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) became increasingly important in parcel delivery faced with the explosive growth of e-commerce. Since musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent the most reported driving-related health problem, we aimed to analyze the risk of low back pain (LBP) and upper-extremity [...] Read more.
Occupational driving of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) became increasingly important in parcel delivery faced with the explosive growth of e-commerce. Since musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent the most reported driving-related health problem, we aimed to analyze the risk of low back pain (LBP) and upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) associated with driving LDVs for parcel delivery. In 306 postal workers exposed to driving and 100 unexposed workers, information on occupational driving, physical/psychosocial constraints, and work organization were collected via a questionnaire. MSDs were assessed using the Nordic Questionnaire, 14 additional questions regarding LBP, and a standardized clinical examination for UEMSDs. Statistical modeling consisted of multivariable logistic regression for UEMSDs and the item response theory approach for LBP. UEMSDs were associated with the distance of rural rounds and inversely associated with urban/mixed delivery rounds. Handling heavy loads was associated with LBP, and high physical demands during delivery rounds were related to MSDs. Karasek dimensions and mobbing actions were associated with MSDs. Work recognition, driving training, using an automatic gearbox, and the utilization of additional staff during peak periods were inversely associated with MSDs. Our results suggest that the distance driven in rural settings and high physical demands were associated with MSDs, while some organizational factors could protect from MSDs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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15 pages, 636 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Associated Risk Factors among Furniture Manufacturing Workers in Guangdong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Yan Yang, Jiancheng Zeng, Yimin Liu, Zhongxu Wang, Ning Jia and Zhi Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14435; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192114435 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4305
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to investigate the one-year prevalence and the associated factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among furniture manufacturing workers in Guangdong, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 4181 (2953 males and 1228 females) furniture manufacturing workers was conducted between September [...] Read more.
Objective: This study aims to investigate the one-year prevalence and the associated factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among furniture manufacturing workers in Guangdong, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 4181 (2953 males and 1228 females) furniture manufacturing workers was conducted between September 2019 and December 2019. All information about WMSDs was collected by the electronic version of Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (CMQ). Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used to interpret the data. Result: The overall prevalence of WMSDs was 31.57%. The WMSD symptoms most commonly occurred in the neck (16.77%), followed by the shoulders (14.90%), ankles/feet (14.64%), hands/wrists (13.30%), upper back (11.48%), and lower back (10.95%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that several individual, labor organization, and ergonomics-related factors conferred significant risks to WMSDs at different body sites. Conclusions: WMSDs remain the major occupational health problem for furniture manufacturing workers. Hence, some effective and feasible protective measures for furniture manufacturing workers are required in order to alleviate the health burden caused by WMSDs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders)
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