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Time control, catecholamines and back pain among young nurses.

Achim Elfering1, Simone Grebner, Norbert K Semmer

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland. achim.elfering@psy.unibe.ch

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|January 24, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Lack of control over work time is a risk factor for developing low-back pain in nurses, independent of physical demands. This may be linked to increased stress hormone activity.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Workplace stressors and resources may contribute to back pain beyond biomechanical factors.
  • The sympathetic-adrenal medullar system is implicated in musculoskeletal issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of work stressors on back pain development in nurses.
  • To examine the association between low-back pain and catecholamine levels, exploring the role of the sympathetic-adrenal medullar system.

Main Methods:

  • 114 nurses completed questionnaires at baseline and one-year follow-up.
  • A subsample of 24 nurses had urinary catecholamines measured and recorded daily stress and mood.
  • Biomechanical workload and baseline pain were controlled for.

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Main Results:

  • Work time control at baseline predicted low-back pain one year later.
  • Elevated epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were observed in nurses with frequent back pain episodes, particularly at work's end.
  • Nurses with more back pain reported lower control over stressful work events.

Conclusions:

  • Work time control is a significant risk factor for low-back pain in nurses, independent of physical workload.
  • Reduced workplace control may elevate sympathetic-adrenal medullar system activity, contributing to musculoskeletal pain development.