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Pain Status and Its Association with Physical Activity, Psychological Stress, and Telework among Japanese Workers with Pain during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Takahiko Yoshimoto

    (Department of Hygiene, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
    Department of Medical Research and Management for Musculoskeletal Pain, 22nd Century Medical & Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan)

  • Tomoko Fujii

    (Department of Medical Research and Management for Musculoskeletal Pain, 22nd Century Medical & Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan)

  • Hiroyuki Oka

    (Department of Medical Research and Management for Musculoskeletal Pain, 22nd Century Medical & Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan)

  • Satoshi Kasahara

    (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Relief Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan)

  • Kayo Kawamata

    (Department of Medical Research and Management for Musculoskeletal Pain, 22nd Century Medical & Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan)

  • Ko Matsudaira

    (Department of Medical Research and Management for Musculoskeletal Pain, 22nd Century Medical & Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan)

Abstract

Changes in working styles and physical activities, and an increase in psychological stress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, may have affected pain conditions among workers with pain; however, these associations are still poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a web-based, cross-sectional study to investigate these changes among Japanese workers suffering from pain. A total of 1941 workers who were aged 20–64 years and suffered from body pain within 4 weeks prior to the study were included. Information was collected using a self-reported questionnaire between July and August 2020. Among the respondents, 15% reported that their pain worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately half of the workers claimed to have decreased physical activity (47%) and increased psychological stress (47%) during the pandemic. Multivariable logistic regression analyses found that telework (odds ratio 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.68–3.06), decreased physical activity (3.18, 2.38–4.27), and increased psychological stress (2.16, 1.64–2.84) were associated significantly with pain augmentation. The group of workers who participated in telework and had decreased physical activity comprised the highest proportion of those with augmented pain. Our findings suggest that measures, which consider physical activities, psychological aspects, and working styles, to alleviate pain may be required for the working population in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Takahiko Yoshimoto & Tomoko Fujii & Hiroyuki Oka & Satoshi Kasahara & Kayo Kawamata & Ko Matsudaira, 2021. "Pain Status and Its Association with Physical Activity, Psychological Stress, and Telework among Japanese Workers with Pain during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5595-:d:561043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antimo Moretti & Fabrizio Menna & Milena Aulicino & Marco Paoletta & Sara Liguori & Giovanni Iolascon, 2020. "Characterization of Home Working Population during COVID-19 Emergency: A Cross-Sectional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
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    3. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
    4. Tetsuya Yamamoto & Chigusa Uchiumi & Naho Suzuki & Junichiro Yoshimoto & Eric Murillo-Rodriguez, 2020. "The Psychological Impact of ‘Mild Lockdown’ in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey under a Declared State of Emergency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
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    1. Ritsu Kitagawa & Sachiko Kuroda & Hiroko Okudaira & Hideo Owan, 2021. "Working from home and productivity under the COVID-19 pandemic: Using survey data of four manufacturing firms," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(12), pages 1-24, December.

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