Association Between Abrupt Change to Teleworking and Physical Symptoms During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration in Japan

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the association between telework frequency and the presence of non-COVID-19-related physical symptoms during the COVID-19 emergency declaration among workers in Japan.

Methods: Data were collected from 1648 workers via web-based self-reported questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between telework frequency per week (0, 1-2, 3-4, and ≥5 days/week) and the presence of stiff shoulders, eyestrain, and low back pain.

Results: Among 917 participants, telework frequency was significantly associated with stiff shoulders (≥5 days: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-7.06), eyestrain (≥5 days: aOR 5.31, 95% CI 2.09-13.44), and low back pain (≥5 days: aOR 5.57, 95% CI 2.22-14.00), compared with non-teleworkers.

Conclusions: Workers who abruptly began telework experienced more physical symptoms than non-teleworkers during the emergency declaration.