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Open Access 01-06-2021 | Neck Pain | Original Article

No evidence for an effect of working from home on neck pain and neck disability among Swiss office workers: Short-term impact of COVID-19

Authors: Andrea M. Aegerter, Manja Deforth, Venerina Johnston, Gisela Sjøgaard, Thomas Volken, Hannu Luomajoki, Julia Dratva, Holger Dressel, Oliver Distler, Achim Elfering, Markus Melloh, the NEXpro collaboration group

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 6/2021

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of working from home on neck pain (NP) among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Participants from two Swiss organisations, aged 18–65 years and working from home during the lockdown (n = 69) were included. Baseline data collected in January 2020 before the lockdown (office work) were compared with follow-up data in April 2020 during lockdown (working from home). The primary outcome of NP was assessed with a measure of intensity and disability. Secondary outcomes were quality of workstation ergonomics, number of work breaks, and time spent working at the computer. Two linear mixed effects models were fitted to the data to estimate the change in NP.

Results

No clinically relevant change in the average NP intensity and neck disability was found between measurement time points. Each working hour at the computer increased NP intensity by 0.36 points (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.62) indicating strong evidence. No such effect was found for neck disability. Each work break taken reduced neck disability by 2.30 points (95% CI: − 4.18 to − 0.42, evidence). No such effect was found for NP intensity. There is very strong evidence that workstation ergonomics was poorer at home.

Conclusion

The number of work breaks and hours spent at the computer seem to have a greater effect on NP than the place of work (office, at home), measurement time point (before COVID-19, during lockdown) or the workstation ergonomics. Further research should investigate the effect of social and psychological factors.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04169646. Registered 15 November 2019—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04169646.

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Title: No evidence for an effect of working from home on neck pain and neck disability among Swiss office workers: Short-term impact of COVID-19
Authors: Andrea M. Aegerter
Manja Deforth
Venerina Johnston
Gisela Sjøgaard
Thomas Volken
Hannu Luomajoki
Julia Dratva
Holger Dressel
Oliver Distler
Achim Elfering
Markus Melloh
the NEXpro collaboration group
Publication date: 01-06-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Neck Pain
COVID-19
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-021-06829-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

No evidence for an effect of working from home on neck pain and neck disability among Swiss office workers: Short-term impact of COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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