IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i4p3050-d1063240.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Prediction of Work from Home and Musculoskeletal Discomfort: An Investigation of Ergonomic Factors in Work Arrangements and Home Workstation Setups Using the COVID-19 Experience

Author

Listed:
  • Justine M. Y. Chim

    (College of Design, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan
    Chim’s Ergonomics and Safety Limited, Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Tien Li Chen

    (College of Design, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for office workers to experience work from home (WFH). The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and the work conditions of homeworkers during WFH as well as to evaluate the association and predicted risk of ergonomic factors and MSD. A total of 232 homeworkers completed questionnaires. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the association and prediction of work arrangements and home workstation setups and musculoskeletal outcomes. The result showed that 61.2% of homeworkers reported MSD while WFH. Because of the small living spaces in Hong Kong, 51% and 24.6% of homeworkers worked in living/dining areas and bedrooms, respectively, potentially affecting their work and personal life. Additionally, homeworkers adopted a flexible work style, but prolonged computer use while WFH. Homeworkers who used a chair without a backrest or a sofa could predict a significantly higher risk of MSD. The use of a laptop monitor posed about a 2 to 3 times higher risk of suffering from neck, upper back, and lower back discomfort than the use of a desktop monitor. These results provide valuable information to help regulators, employers, homeworkers, and designers create better WFH guidelines, work arrangements, and home settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Justine M. Y. Chim & Tien Li Chen, 2023. "Prediction of Work from Home and Musculoskeletal Discomfort: An Investigation of Ergonomic Factors in Work Arrangements and Home Workstation Setups Using the COVID-19 Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3050-:d:1063240
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3050/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3050/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Julia L. O. Beckel & Gwenith G. Fisher, 2022. "Telework and Worker Health and Well-Being: A Review and Recommendations for Research and Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-32, March.
    2. Kokoro Natomi & Haruka Kato & Daisuke Matsushita, 2022. "Work-Related Stress of Work from Home with Housemates Based on Residential Types," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Bruna Ferrara & Martina Pansini & Clara De Vincenzi & Ilaria Buonomo & Paula Benevene, 2022. "Investigating the Role of Remote Working on Employees’ Performance and Well-Being: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Manwel Debono & Christine Garzia, 2023. "Trade Union Members’ Experiences and Attitudes towards Working from Home during the Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Eva Thulin & Bertil Vilhelmson & Martina Johansson, 2019. "New Telework, Time Pressure, and Time Use Control in Everyday Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, May.
    6. Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu & Simona-Andreea Apostu & Andreea Paul & Ionut Casuneanu, 2020. "Work Flexibility, Job Satisfaction, and Job Performance among Romanian Employees—Implications for Sustainable Human Resource Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-53, July.
    7. Kazekami, Sachiko, 2020. "Mechanisms to improve labor productivity by performing telework," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(2).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bruna Ferrara & Martina Pansini & Clara De Vincenzi & Ilaria Buonomo & Paula Benevene, 2022. "Investigating the Role of Remote Working on Employees’ Performance and Well-Being: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Alessandra Falco & Damiano Girardi & Achim Elfering & Tanja Peric & Isabella Pividori & Laura Dal Corso, 2023. "Is Smart Working Beneficial for Workers’ Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Investigation of Smart Working, Workload, and Hair Cortisol/Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Sandra Figueiredo & Raquel João & Laura Alho & João Hipólito, 2022. "Psychological Research on Sleep Problems and Adjustment of Working Hours during Teleworking in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Jorge de Andrés-Sánchez, 2023. "A Configurational Evaluation of Spanish Teleworkers’ Perception and Nonperception of Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, July.
    5. Fatih YEGUL & Atif ACIKGOZ & Zaur KAZIMOV, 2022. "Impact Of Working From Home On Productivity & Performance, Evidence From North American Logistics Industry During Covid-19 Pandemic," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 2(2), pages 289-303, December.
    6. Andreja Mihailović & Julija Cerović Smolović & Ivan Radević & Neli Rašović & Nikola Martinović, 2021. "COVID-19 and Beyond: Employee Perceptions of the Efficiency of Teleworking and Its Cybersecurity Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, June.
    7. Nadezda Krasilnikova & Meike Levin-Keitel, 2022. "Telework as a Game-Changer for Sustainability? Transitions in Work, Workplace and Socio-Spatial Arrangements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, June.
    8. Constantin Aurelian Ionescu & Melinda Timea Fülöp & Dan Ioan Topor & Mircea Constantin Duică & Sorina Geanina Stanescu & Nicoleta Valentina Florea & Mariana Zamfir & Mihaela Denisa Coman, 2022. "Sustainability Analysis, Implications, and Effects of the Teleworking System in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    9. Ioana Gutu & Camelia Nicoleta Medeleanu, 2023. "Assessing Teleworkforce and Electronic Leadership Favorable for an Online Workforce Sustainability Framework by Using PLS SEM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-32, September.
    10. Tea Korkeakunnas & Marina Heiden & Malin Lohela-Karlsson & Komalsingh Rambaree, 2023. "Managers’ Perceptions of Telework in Relation to Work Environment and Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    11. Beňo, Michal, 2022. "Estimating E-workability Components Across Central European Countries," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(3), September.
    12. Roshayati Abdul Hamid, 2023. "The Effect of Work from Home on Adaptive Performance and Moderated by Humble Leadership," European Journal of Social Sciences Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 6, January -.
    13. Ana Maria Mihaela Iordache & Codruța Cornelia Dura & Cristina Coculescu & Claudia Isac & Ana Preda, 2021. "Using Neural Networks in Order to Analyze Telework Adaptability across the European Union Countries: A Case Study of the Most Relevant Scenarios to Occur in Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-28, October.
    14. Lucía Muñoz-Pascual & Carla Curado & Jesús Galende, 2021. "Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis on the Adoption of Environmental Practices: Exploring Technological- and Human-Resource-Based Contributions," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(13), pages 1-21, July.
    15. Xiaoyu Zhan & Delia Mioara Popescu & Valentin Radu, 2020. "Challenges for Romanian Entrepreneurs in Managing Remote Workers," Book chapters-LUMEN Proceedings, in: Marcin Waldemar STANIEWSKI & Valentina VASILE & Adriana Grigorescu (ed.), International Conference Innovative Business Management & Global Entrepreneurship (IBMAGE 2020), edition 1, volume 14, chapter 49, pages 670-687, Editura Lumen.
    16. Alpana Agarwal & Divina Raghav, 2023. "Analysing Determinants of Employee Performance Based on Reverse Mentoring and Employer Branding Using Analytic Hierarchical Process," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 48(3), pages 343-358, August.
    17. Aniela Balacescu & Aurelia Patrascu & Loredana Maria Paunescu, 2021. "Adaptability to Teleworking in European Countries," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 23(58), pages 683-683, August.
    18. Jihad FRAIJ & Nemer ABURUMMAN, 2021. "How Does Telework Act As A Solution To The Public Sector In The Time Of Pandemic?," Network Intelligence Studies, Romanian Foundation for Business Intelligence, Editorial Department, issue 17, pages 13-24, June.
    19. Hani Al-Dmour & Rima Al Hasan & Motasem Thneibat & Ra’ed Masa’deh & Wafa Alkhadra & Rand Al-Dmour & Ali Alalwan, 2023. "Integrated Model for the Factors Determining the Academic’s Remote Working Productivity and Engagement: Empirical Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, August.
    20. Miyu Komaki & Haruka Kato & Daisuke Matsushita, 2023. "Why Did Urban Exodus Occur during the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Residential Preference of Each Type of Household? Case of Japanese Metropolitan Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-19, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3050-:d:1063240. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.