Long-Term Disability and Work Conditions

In this Swedish study of 93 workers with recently developed musculoskeletal pain, researchers examined factors such as sick leave, pain, personality, and work conditions. The most common symptoms were neck and shoulder pain. The patients were broken down into three groups: short, medium, and long-term sick-leave and were compared.

The researchers did not find any evidence that personality factors played a role in long-term disability. The study did find that work conditions played a strong role in disability. The patients with long-term sick leave were more likely to report: jobs with uncomfortable and monotonous sitting positions; work with lifted arms; more demanding work conditions; more repetitive movements requiring precision; and more work role ambiguity (“i.e. uncertainty about how to perform the job”).

The study found that the best prognosis was for those patients who were able to change their work conditions. “In particular, work conditions which involve low opportunities for development and influence on the job and uncomfortable sitting positions appear to be associated with long-term sickness absence, unless work conditions are changed.”

Ekberg K, Wildhagen I. Long-term sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders: the necessary intervention of work conditions. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 1996;28:39-47.

 

 

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