Effects of working from home on musculoskeletal pain and coronaphobia during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical and mental health of Brazilian workers, especially those who have started working in home offices. Changes in the workplace, increased physical inactivity, and fear of contracting the disease, known as coronaphobia, may be related to increased musculoskeletal pain (MSP).ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence of MSP and coronaphobia in home-office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the relationships between these variables.MethodsA cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study with 736 participants was conducted through an online questionnaire. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, working conditions, and pain were collected, along with the evaluation of coronaphobia using the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) and MSP using the Nordic Questionnaire of Osteomuscular Symptoms (NMQ).ResultsMost participants were female (78%), with an average age of 32.8 (SD = 10.7 years). During the pandemic, 71% reported some osteomuscular symptoms, and of these, 64% developed new symptoms of pain during the pandemic, with a higher incidence in the lower back and neck. Participants who began home-office work presented a higher incidence of pain, and among them, 53% reported that their furniture was not suitable for working at home. Most had little fear of COVID-19, but moderate levels of coronaphobia increased the likelihood of MSP (PR = 1.74; 95% CI). Coronaphobia and MSP were significantly associated.ConclusionsThe prevalence of MSP increased after the pandemic, especially among those who worked from home, primarily affecting the lumbar and cervical regions. Coronaphobia was also associated, with a higher probability of pain in individuals with moderate or high fear.