Shoulder Pain, Disability, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Stress

To investigate the relationships among shoulder pain, functional disability, perceived stress, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), as well as to assess the educational needs related to shoulder pain prevention among middle-aged Korean women.

Cross-sectional study.

This study included middle-aged Korean women recruited between November 27 and December 28, 2022. Data were collected using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) for HRQOL, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a structured questionnaire assessing educational needs related to shoulder pain prevention. Descriptive and frequency analyses were conducted to examine the general characteristics of participants. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare sociodemographic and behavioral variables by SPADI severity. Differences in HRQOL, shoulder pain, disability, and perceived stress based on educational needs were analyzed. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among variables, and stepwise multiple regression was employed to identify factors influencing HRQOL.

Participants with moderate-to-severe shoulder pain (SPADI ≥30) reported significantly higher levels of work-related physical burden, lower educational attainment, and greater willingness to participate in shoulder pain prevention education than those with milder symptoms. Perceived stress levels were also significantly higher among participants in the moderate-to-severe SPADI group compared to those with lower scores. Additionally, significant differences in physical and mental health were observed based on the educational demand for cause and symptom management of participants. Mental health and perceived stress also differed significantly according to demand for posture education. Stress levels varied significantly by demand in indoor home training and proper desk and chair positioning for shoulder pain prevention. Increased shoulder pain was positively correlated with greater disability and perceived stress, alongside declines in physical and mental HRQOL.

Most participants sought education focused on shoulder pain causes, management, stress relief, and psychological support.

A mobile app-based educational intervention is recommended to alleviate shoulder pain and stress while offering information on its causes, symptoms, and management.