Work disability and musculoskeletal disorders among teleworkers: A scoping review

Auteurs

• Quan Nha Hong, School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, H3C 3J7, QC, Canada, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR) - Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Montreal, Canada
• Jingjing Li, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR) - Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Montreal, Canada
• Marietta Kersalé, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR) - Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Montreal, Canada
• Eloi Dieterlen, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR) - Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Montreal, Canada
• Adrian Mares, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR) - Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Montreal, Canada
• Zeinab Ahmadian Sangkar, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR) - Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM), Montreal, Canada
• Virginie Paquet, Bibliothèque Marguerite-d’Youville, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
• Valérie Lederer, Department of Industrial Relations, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Canada
• Marie Laberge, School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, H3C 3J7, QC, Canada
• Marie-France Coutu, School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke and Centre for Action in Work Disability Prevention (CAPRIT), Longueuil, CanadaFollow

Type de document

Revues de littérature, synthèses de connaissances

Année de publication

2024

Langue

Anglais

Titre de la revue

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation

Résumé

Purpose: This project aimed to examine the existing evidence on work disability or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among teleworkers. Method: A scoping review was conducted in eight bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, ABI/Inform Global, EBM Reviews, Web of Science, Dissertations & Theses Global) from inception to June 2022. Results: Out of 9192 records identified, a total of 79 selected articles representing 77 studies were retained. Most studies were published after 2019, aligning with the COVID-19 pandemic’s telework surge. Among the included papers, 51 addressed MSDs among teleworkers, 17 were on work disability, and 11 addressed both concepts. The studies were predominantly cross-sectional. Some trends are emerging, although study results are contradictory. Several papers reported increased musculoskeletal discomfort among teleworkers. Factors associated with MSDs among teleworkers include poor workstation setup, extended workdays, sedentary lifestyle, excessive devices use, and psychological factors. Regarding work disability, studies found that telework is associated with reduced absenteeism but increased presenteeism, with employees more likely to work while unwell from home than when on-site. Mixed results were found regarding teleworkers’ work ability and functioning. Conclusion: This paper provides an overview of the literature on work disability and MSDs among teleworkers. It identifies literature gaps, underlining the need for ergonomic improvements, long-term impact studies, a better conceptualization of presenteeism in the context of telework, and tailored interventions to enhance the telework experience. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.

Mots-clés

Invalidité, Disability, Troubles musculosquelettiques, Musculoskeletal disease, Télétravail, Telework

Numéro de projet IRSST

n/a

Citation recommandée

Hong, Q. N., Li, J., Kersalé, M., Dieterlen, E., Mares, A., Ahmadian Sangkar, Z., . . . Coutu, M.-F. (2024). Work disability and musculoskeletal disorders among teleworkers: A scoping review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-024-10184-0