Effects of teleworking on workers' health: A systematic review

Abstract Introduction: Teleworking is an emerging working modality. At present, 24% of the population engages in it, making it an increasingly common work model with unique characteristics and effects on workers' health. Method: The retrieved scientific literature was submitted for systematic review from the databases Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature, Medicina en Español, SCOPUS and Institute for Scientific Information-Web of Knowledge. As descriptors, 'teleworking', 'occupational, groups' and 'health, occupational' were searched in the title, abstract and keywords. The limits were as follows: 'humans', 'adult' and original articles. Results: A total of 4,835 references were found. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 24 articles were selected: 15 are cross-sectional studies and nine are prospective cohort studies. The mean Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology score was 18.55. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria yielded a degree of evidence of 3 and a recommendation of D. The obsolescence of publications was moderate (Burton-Kebler semiperiod: 3.00; price index: 87.50%). Conclusions: The articles review presented an adequate obsolescence rate. However, their degrees of evidence and recommendation impeded thoroughly, ensuring the validity and reliability of the observations made. There is an association between teleworking and physical and mental health effects, including higher stress levels, poor mental health, higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and visual problems.