Impact of mental and physical workload on work function in office workers with musculoskeletal disorders

Occupational risk factors, including personal, physical, and psychosocial elements, cumulatively impact impairments and job performance, especially in the presence of pain. This study investigates how demographic characteristics, as well as mental and physical workloads, influence the work function of office workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

In this cross-sectional study conducted in Iran, 260 office workers (72% female, mean age 42.6 ± 6.7) participated. Among them, 225 individuals with MSDs in at least two body regions were included in the second phase. Demographic information was self-reported. The prevalence of MSDs, work function, mental and physical workloads were assessed using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E), Work Role Functioning Questionnaire (WRFQ-2), NASA Task Load Index (TLX) questionnaire, and Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), respectively. Linear and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify significant risk factors.

Of the participants, 86.53% reported experiencing pain in at least two body regions during the last year and were included in the second phase. The lower back (57.3%) and neck (50.7%) were the most affected regions during the last year. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between work function and mental workload, physical workload, as well as specific subscales of NASA-TLX (physical and frustration subscales) and ROSA (Chair score, Monitor, and Telephone scores).

Both mental and physical workloads were significant independent predictors of poorer work function in office workers with MSDs. These findings underscore the need to address both domains concurrently in ergonomics and occupational health programs.