HIGH PREVALENCE OF NECK AND UPPER EXTREMITY PAIN IN WHITE-COLLAR EMPLOYEES WORKING FROM HOME: ASSOCIATIONS WITH DISABILITY, JOB SATISFACTION, AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Authors : Feyza Nur Yücel, Saliha Aydın

Pages : 134-142

Doi:10.33439/ergonomi.1735142

View : 123 | Download : 241

Publication Date : 2025-12-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of neck and upper extremity pain in white-collar employees working from home (WFH) and explore its associations with disability, job satisfaction, and life satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 123 white-collar workers who had been WFH for at least two days per week over a six-month period. Data were collected via an online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and work-related variables, pain characteristics, and functional status. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Disability was evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ). Life satisfaction and job satisfaction were assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-6), respectively. Results: Musculoskeletal pain was reported by 90.2% of participants. Neck pain had the highest prevalence (62.6%), followed by shoulder pain (37.4%) and upper extremity pain (21.9%). Median VAS score was 33.0 (IQR: 31.0). Pain intensity was weakly correlated with daily working (r = .223, P = .013) and sitting time (r = .226, P = .012). All disability scores correlated positively with pain intensity. SWLS showed a negative correlation with disability scores, while UWES-6 was inversely associated only with NDI (r = -.292, P = .001). Conclusion: Neck and upper extremity pain is highly prevalent in white-collar workers WFH and is associated with increased disability. Neck-related disability, in particular, negatively affects job and life satisfaction, indicating the need for early preventive ergonomic interventions in WFH settings.
Keywords : Boyun ağrısı, üst ekstremite, kas-iskelet sistemi ağrısı, yaşam kalitesi

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