Vol. 1, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: Rapid expansion of remote and hybrid work has shifted a large proportion of computer-intensive tasks into home environments, where improvised workstations and blurred work-rest boundaries may increase musculoskeletal risk. However, the combined influence of home workstation ergonomics, digital workload and rehabilitation-oriented strategies on musculoskeletal health in remote workers remains insufficiently explored.

Objectives: To examine the prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal symptoms among remote workers, evaluate associations between ergonomic and organisational factors and musculoskeletal outcomes, and explore the uptake and perceived impact of ergonomic and rehabilitation strategies.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted among 420 adults engaged in predominantly home-based remote work (≥3 days/week for ≥6 months). A structured online questionnaire captured sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, musculoskeletal symptoms (12-month and 7-day prevalence; pain intensity, VAS 0-10), home workstation features, work organisation (daily screen time, break patterns) and use of ergonomic and rehabilitation strategies (home exercises, remote physiotherapy, telerehabilitation). An ergonomic risk score, derived from workstation characteristics and posture (supplemented by optional workstation photographs), classified participants into low, medium and high risk categories. Descriptive statistics, bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyse associations with moderate-to-severe musculoskeletal pain (VAS ≥4).

Results: Overall, 81.2% of participants reported musculoskeletal pain in the past 12 months and 66.0% in the past 7 days; 57.4% reported moderate-to-severe pain. Neck (62.0%), lower back (59.0%) and shoulders (55.0%) were most frequently affected. Prevalence of 7-day moderate-to-severe pain increased across ergonomic risk strata (low: 46.0%; medium: 60.1%; high: 80.2%; p<0.001). In adjusted models, high ergonomic risk, daily screen time ≥9 h and infrequent breaks were independently associated with greater odds of moderate-to-severe pain, whereas participation in structured exercise/rehabilitation programmes was associated with reduced odds.

Conclusion: Remote work is associated with a high burden of neck, shoulder and low-back symptoms, strongly influenced by modifiable ergonomic and organisational factors. Integrating proactive home workstation optimisation, supportive work-rest structures and accessible exercise and telerehabilitation programmes into organisational and clinical practice may be critical to sustaining musculoskeletal health in remote workers.