Associations between Distal Upper Extremity Job Physical Factors and Psychosocial Measures in a Pooled Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Psychosocial Factors

Background:

• Growing evidence links musculoskeletal diseases to job physical exposures and psychosocial outcomes.
• Quantified relationships between job physical exposures and psychosocial factors remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and quantify relationships between quantified job physical exposures and psychosocial outcomes.
• To examine associations between measures of physical exposure and 10 psychosocial factors.

Main Methods:

• Individualized quantification of duration, repetition, and force using the Strain Index (SI) and Threshold Limit Value for Hand Activity Level (TLV for HAL).
• Ordered logistic regression used to assess relationships and predicted probabilities.
• Analyses adjusted for age, BMI, and gender.

Main Results:

• Multiple statistically significant relationships were found among 1834 participants.
• Increased duration, repetition, and force generally correlated with worsened psychosocial factors.
• Depression was most associated with repetition; physical exhaustion with force. General health and mental exhaustion improved with higher exposures.

Conclusions:

• This study quantified numerous associations between job physical exposures and psychosocial factors.
• Significant relationships persisted after adjusting for confounders.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the occupational health impacts.