The Effect of Transitioning to Remote Working in Patients Affected by Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

To assess the effect of transitioning to remote working during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in a population of adults affected by chronic low back pain (cLBP).

An online questionnaire was sent by email to teleworkers affected by cLBP. Demographic data, remote working features and tasks, and LBP burden were analyzed. The psychological burden of remote working was evaluated with the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. LBP severity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. LBP-related disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index. The effect of LBP on working capacity was examined with the Occupational Role Questionnaire. Independent risk factors related to LBP worsening were identified using a multivariate logistic regression model.

During remote working, LBP severity was significantly higher compared to previous in-person working (p < 0.0001), as well as average weekly work hours (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the risk of LBP worsening was associated with higher depression scores (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.91; p = 0.048), increased stress levels (OR: 3.00, 95% CI: 1.04-8.65; p = 0.042), and being divorced (OR: 4.28, 95% CI: 1.27-14.47; p = 0.019). Conversely, living with others (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.07-0.81; p = 0.021), and reporting unchanged stress levels (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08-0.65; p = 0.006) were associated with a lower risk of LBP worsening.

Our findings highlight key factors to consider for improving remote workers' physical and mental wellbeing and decrease their LBP burden.