OP3
ACTIVE WORKPLACE BEHAVIOURS OUT PERFORM EQUIPMENT PROVISION IN PREDICTING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN: EVIDENCE FROM 323,414 WORKPLACE ASSESSMENTS
- L. N. Tik, Vitrue Health, London, UK
Background:
Traditional ergonomic interventions prioritise equipment provision, yet rising musculoskeletal disorder prevalence suggests this approach may be insufficient for preventing workplace pain.
Research Question:
Which workplace factors: active positioning behaviours, equipment setup, or postural characteristics, demonstrate the strongest associations with musculoskeletal pain in desk workers, and do gender differences require tailored interventions?
Methods:
Cross-sectional analysis of 23,414 workplace assessments from desk workers across diverse industries. We examined correlations between workplace factors (behavioural habits, equipment setup, chair/wrist positioning, posture) and musculoskeletal pain levels (0-10 VAS, 22 anatomical regions).
Results:
Active workspace positioning behaviours showed three-fold stronger correlations with pain (chair: r=0.288; wrist: r=0.296) versus equipment factors (r=-0.093). Behavioural habits demonstrated moderate associations (r=-0.195), while postural measurements showed minimal correlation (r=0.127). Substantial gender disparities emerged: females reported 40% higher pain (mean 2.96 vs. 2.11, p<0.001) despite similar equipment access, with distinct anatomical patterns (females: neck pain; males: lower back).
Key Message:
How workers actively use their workspace matters far more than the equipment itself. Behavioural training targeting workspace optimisation may deliver superior outcomes compared to equipment-focused approaches.
Impact on Practice:
These findings challenge current occupational health practice by demonstrating costly equipment replacement yields minimal benefit without behavioural training. Organisations can achieve better musculoskeletal outcomes through cost-effective behavioural coaching programs with gender-specific components. This evidence supports a paradigm shift from equipment-centric to behaviour-centric workplace MSD prevention.
References:
Versus Arthritis (2024). The state of musculoskeletal health 2024.
Janwantanakul P, et al. (2008). Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. Occup Med, 58(6):454-459.
Robertson M, et al. (2009). The effects of an office ergonomics training and chair intervention. Applied Ergonomics, 40(1):124-135.
Waongenngarm P, et al. (2021). Effects of an active break intervention on preventing neck and low-back pain. Scand J Work Environ Health, 47(4):306-317.
Grabara M (2025). Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Polish white-collar workers. Front Public Health, 13:1551728.
