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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-05-2014 | Original Article

The influence of perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain on work performance and work ability in Swedish health care workers

Authors: A. Lindegård, P. Larsman, E. Hadzibajramovic, G. Ahlborg Jr.

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 4/2014

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the influence of perceived stress and musculoskeletal ache/pain, separately and in combination, at baseline, on self-rated work ability and work performance at two-year follow-up.

Methods

Survey data were collected with a 2-year interval. Health care workers participating at both waves were included. Inclusion criteria were good self-reported work ability and unchanged self-rated work performance at baseline, resulting in 770 participants; 617 women and 153 men. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the question “How often do you experience pain in joints and muscles, including the neck and low back?”, perceived stress with a modified version of a single item from the QPS-Nordic questionnaire, work performance by the question “Have your work performance changed during the preceding 12 months?” and work ability by a single item from the work ability index. Associations between baseline data and the two outcomes at follow-up were analysed by means of the log binomial model and expressed as risk ratios (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A combination of frequent musculoskeletal pain and perceived stress constituted the highest risk for reporting decreased work performance (RR 1.7; CI 1.28–2.32) and reduced work ability (RR 1.7; CI 1.27–2.30) at follow-up. Separately, frequent pain, but not stress, was clearly associated with both outcomes.

Conclusion

The results imply that proactive workplace interventions in order to maintain high work performance and good work ability should include measures to promote musculoskeletal well-being for the employees and measures, both individual and organizational, to minimize the risk of persistent stress reactions.

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Title: The influence of perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain on work performance and work ability in Swedish health care workers
Authors: A. Lindegård
P. Larsman
E. Hadzibajramovic
G. Ahlborg Jr.
Publication date: 01-05-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0875-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The influence of perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain on work performance and work ability in Swedish health care workers

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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