Individual and Work-Related Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Pain: a Cross-Sectional Study Among Turkish Office Workers

Musculoskeletal Pain Among Turkish Office Workers

Most studies investigating the risk factors related with musculoskeletal pain have been conducted in European countries and North America, and because of the difference in health, economic, and social systems, their results are not generalizable to countries such as Turkey. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the individual and work-related risk factors linked to musculoskeletal pain among Turkish office workers.

A total of 150 participants, who are office workers in Turkey, are included in the present study. Data collection will be carried out using the online survey. The online survey link will be shared via social media accounts and via mail. The questionnaire created through Google forms will be delivered to the participants via the link. The link will be active in the data collection process. Before the participants start the questionnaire, they will be asked whether they were willing to participate. The socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, body mass index) and health status (presence of chronic disease, drugs used and history of injury) will be questioned. In addition, the information about the sector, working hours, time spent at work and out of work, additional working hours, break times at the workplace will be collected. The Standardized Scandinavian Musculoskeletal Questionnaire will be used to assess musculoskeletal complaints. Participants with musculoskeletal pain will be referred to the assessment questionnaire appropriate for the localization of the region where they feel the most pain. Participants with neck pain will be evaluated with the Neck Disability Scale. Arm-Shoulder-Hand Disability Survey-Short Form will be used for participants with wrist, shoulder or arm pain. Oswestry Disability Index will be used to determine the degree of disability in individuals with low back pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The participants included in this study will be aged between 18 and 55 years, men or women, an office worker and able to understand and read Turkish as a language.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants excluded from the study if they have any musculoskeletal disease, a spine curvature disorders such as scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, undergone surgery affecting the musculoskeletal system within the last 1 month, or been pregnant for women.