Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Office Environments
Summary
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in office environments encompass a range of conditions affecting muscles, tendons, nerves and joints, most commonly in the neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, and upper limbs. Driven by prolonged sedentary work, repetitive movements and sustained awkward postures, these disorders impose a substantial burden on individuals, employers and healthcare systems worldwide. Office workers frequently report pain, stiffness and functional limitations that diminish productivity, increase absenteeism and escalate medical and compensation costs. Ergonomic factors such as workstation design, chair and screen height, keyboard and mouse placement, lighting and environmental conditions interact with psychosocial stressors—high workloads, low autonomy and poor social support—to modulate risk. The rapid rise of hybrid and remote working has introduced novel challenges, including non-neutral postures at improvised home workstations, extended working hours and blurred boundaries between professional and personal life. Preventive strategies now emphasise a holistic approach combining ergonomic assessment, adjustable furniture, scheduled breaks, exercise and education, supported by organisational policies that promote a healthy work culture. Emerging research highlights the need for standardised exposure metrics, longitudinal monitoring and integration of physical and psychosocial dimensions to inform targeted interventions and policy development.
Research from Nature Portfolio
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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Office Environments publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office environments across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs): Conditions affecting muscles, tendons, nerves or joints arising from workplace activities.
Ergonomics: The scientific discipline concerned with designing workstations, tools and tasks to fit the capabilities and limitations of workers.
Display Screen Equipment (DSE): Electronic devices with screens, including computers, laptops and tablets, used extensively in office work.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI): A subset of WMSDs resulting from repetitive movements and overuse of specific muscle groups or tendons.
Psychosocial Risk Factors: Workplace social and organisational conditions—such as job demands, control, support and stressful relationships—that influence musculoskeletal health.
Postural Load: The cumulative strain on the body arising from sustained or awkward postures during work tasks.
Telework: A work arrangement in which employees perform tasks remotely, often introducing unique ergonomic and organisational challenges.
References
- A systematic review of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among computer users. Heliyon (2024).
- Telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
- Teleworking and Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
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