A LISREL Analysis of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Office Workers

Abstract

A survey of 2,346 office computer users was analyzed using structural equation modeling to identify self-report individual, work characteristics, technology, and postural risk factors, determined by observation, for self-reports of work-related musculoskeletal discomfort for the neck, shoulders and arms/hands and also somatic symptoms (eyestrain, headache). The final structural equations were Somatic symptoms= 0.68*Individual factors + 0.14*Postural risk factors, with an error variance of 0.89 and explained variance of 11%; and Discomfort = 0.64*Somatic symptoms with an error variance of 0.25 and explained variance of 62%. Analysis showed that somatic symptoms mediate the effects of individual and postural risk factors on musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms.