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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
09:00
Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm
Published on: October 3, 2020
Overcoming pain as a barrier to work.
Gwenllian Wynne-Jones1, Chris J Main
1Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Primary Care Sciences, Keele University, North Staffordshire, UK. g.wynne-jones@cphc.keele.ac.uk
Summary
Pain significantly impacts work productivity, causing both absence and presenteeism. Integrated workplace interventions are crucial for managing pain and overcoming these barriers to employment.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pain Management
- Workplace Productivity
Background:
- Pain is a significant factor contributing to employee absence and reduced productivity.
- Complex personal, social, and workplace factors influence employee decisions regarding work absence or attending work while ill (presenteeism).
- Current interventions are evolving from isolated biomedical or psychosocial approaches to integrated programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine pain as a barrier to work.
- To explore strategies for overcoming pain-related work limitations.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent findings on pain, absenteeism, and presenteeism.
- Analysis of the effectiveness of various workplace interventions.
- Consideration of integrated approaches, including the flags framework for musculoskeletal pain.
Main Results:
- Pain leads to substantial productivity losses through both absenteeism and presenteeism.
- Workplace interventions are increasingly adopting integrated models to support employees in managing pain.
- The flags framework is being utilized to address musculoskeletal pain within a broader context.
Conclusions:
- Pain presents physical, psychological, and social challenges to employment, impacting both employees and employers financially.
- Successful interventions require a shift towards integrated management of pain in the workplace and healthcare settings.
- Widespread behavioral changes in occupational health practices are necessary for effective pain management and overcoming work barriers.
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