A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between Telecommuting Environments and Shoulder Pain Among Japanese Telecommuting Workers

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between telecommuting environments and shoulder pain in Japanese telecommuters. Methods We conducted an Internet-monitored, cross-sectional study and analyzed 2537 participants who mainly telecommuted at least 4 days per week. We assessed the presence of shoulder pain using a numerical rating scale and the characteristics of the telecommuting environment by asking eight questions. We used multilevel logistic regression analysis with the city of residence as a random effect. Results Inadequate desk brightness (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.78), inadequate foot space (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02-1.58), and uncomfortable temperature and humidity (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.72) were associated with shoulder pain in multilevel logistic regression analysis. Conclusions Inappropriate telecommuting environments were associated with an increase in the prevalence of shoulder pain in Japanese telecommuters.