@Article{Andersen2021, author = "Andersen, Lars L. and Vinstrup, Jonas and Sundstrup, Emil and Skovlund, Sebastian Venge and Villadsen, Ebbe and Thorsen, Sannie Vester", title = "Combined ergonomic exposures and development of musculoskeletal pain in the general working population: A prospective cohort study", journal = "Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health", year = "2021", month = "May", day = "47", number = "4", pages = "287--295", keywords = "back pain; cohort study; ergonomic; exposure; musculoskeletal disorder; musculoskeletal pain; neck pain; occupational exposure; physical workload; prospective cohort study; shoulder pain", abstract = "'
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OBJECTIVE ': 'This study aimed to investigate the importance of combined ergonomic exposures at work for the development of musculoskeletal pain.
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METHODS ': 'Through four rounds (2012–2018) of the Work Environment and Health in Denmark Study, 18 905 employees of the general working population replied to a baseline and 2-year follow-up questionnaire. First, a k-means cluster analysis of seven ergonomic factors (back bending, arm above shoulders, lifting etc., from ‘never’ to ‘almost all the time’) identified nine naturally occurring clusters. Second, using a weighted survey regression model controlling for age, gender, survey year, education, lifestyle, influence at work, and pain intensity at baseline, we estimated development of pain intensity (0–10) in the neck-shoulder and low-back in these clusters. The largest cluster served as reference to the other clusters and was characterized by low ergonomic exposures.
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RESULTS ': 'Clusters characterized by multiple combined ergonomic exposures for a relatively high percentage of the working time showed the largest increase in neck-shoulder as well as low-back pain intensity from baseline to follow-up. However, clusters characterized by high exposure to a few specific ergonomic factors also increased pain significantly, eg, standing/walking combined with lifting/carrying or twisted/bent back for the majority of the working time increased low-back pain, whereas repetitive arm movements for the majority of the working time with or without standing/walking increased neck-shoulder pain.
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CONCLUSION ': 'Combined occupational ergonomic exposures play an important role in the development of musculoskeletal pain. Workplace preventive approaches should consider this in risk assessments and organization of the work.
", issn = "0355-3140", doi = "10.5271/sjweh.3954", url = "https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3954", url = "https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3954" }