Martina Ballesio [School of Physiotherapy, University of Turin School of Medicine, Turin, Italy]
Beatrice Occhetto [School of Physiotherapy, University of Turin School of Medicine, Turin, Italy]
Marco Trucco [School of Physiotherapy, University of Turin School of Medicine, Turin, Italy]
Anna Mulasso [Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy]
Maja Popovic [Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy]
Paolo Riccardo Brustio [Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy]
Alberto Rainoldi [Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy]
Musculoskeletal disorders encompass various inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves, and blood vessels. They are highly prevalent within the population and result not only in significant economic and social costs but also a reduced quality of life for individuals1. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are subset of musculoskeletal disorders, caused and/or aggravated by occupational risk factors. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders represent the leading cause of disability, absenteeism, and lost productivity in industrially developed and developing countries, making them one of the most widespread health issues in the workforce2. Musculoskeletal disorders among workers have a multifactorial origin, including not only individual and biomechanical factors but also biopsychosocial and organizational aspects3. Currently, there is a lack of Italian studies that quantify the prevalence of these disorders in occupational office settings and their association with specific psychophysical risk factors4. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the relationships between musculoskeletal disorders, levels of physical activity, and stress among employees of the University of Turin and the Polytechnic University of Turin.
The recruited sample consisted of 446 employees from two universities. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of four sections:
Variables were compared between the two universities using the independent samples t-test and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test when the distribution was non-normal. Negative binomial regression model was used to present the prevalence ratio (PR) and corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs).
The prevalence of at least one musculoskeletal disorder in the last twelve months was found to be 85.2%. The most common disorders in the sample were neck disorders (57.9%), lumbar disorders (47.8%), and shoulder disorders (39.7%), with a similar distribution between the two universities. We found statistically significant associations between moderate (PR=1.44; IC95%: 1.01-2.05) and high (PR=1.71; IC95%: 1.04-2.81) stress levels and neck disorders, as well as moderate (PR=1.54; IC95%: 1.03-2.31) stress levels and shoulder disorders. Upper back disorders were found to be associated with the levels of stress in both the crude (moderate: PR=2.43; IC95%: 1.39-4.23; high: PR=3.61; IC95%:1.82-7.17) and adjusted models (moderate: PR=2.34; IC95%:1.17-4.69; high: PR=3.06; IC95%:1.27-7.34).
After adjustment for confounding factors (i.e., sex, age, educational attainment, job role, weekly working hours, remote work, hours in front of video display terminals, BMI, health perception, chronic diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption) there was no association between levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and musculoskeletal disorders.
The results of this study highlight the association between musculoskeletal disorders and stress, reinforcing the well-known multifactorial origin of these disorders; therefore, it is essential to address physical, psychosocial, and organizational risk factors.
Despite the lack of a clear association between musculoskeletal disorders and levels of physical activity or sedentary behavior found in this research, it is important to emphasize that prevention interventions that include physical activity in the workplace can still be an effective opportunity8. Considering the wide impact of physical activity and stress on health, a multidisciplinary approach that combines interventions for mental and physical health and organizational well-being can help reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers.
