Workstyle and upper-extremity symptoms: a biobehavioral perspective.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Workstyle contributes to case definition and is predictive of future pain and functional limitations in office workers with upper extremity symptoms.
Nicholas
Rena A
RA
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA.
Feuerstein
Michael
M
Suchday
Sonia
S
D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D004651:Employment; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D034941:Upper Extremity