Research Plus

Adverse workstyle predicts pain

‘Workstyle’ is a relatively new concept to explain how an individual responds behaviourally, cognitively and physiologically to increased or stressful work demands, and may explain psychosocial and ergonomic factors of pain. In this study, 120 office workers with upper extremity musculoskeletal pain completed the 32-item Workstyle Short Form (WSF) questionnaire. All those with adverse workstyle still reported upper extremity pain at 12 months, compared with only one-third of those with good workstyle. The findings support the assessment of workstyle in workers experiencing pain and of interventions to change workstyle behaviour in ‘at risk’ individuals.

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2008; 18(3): 262–266. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10926-008-9145-0

Tags evidence based practice msd - musculoskeletal disorder stress

Occupational Health at Work December/January 2008/2009 (vol. 05/4) pp40