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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAIN FROM PROLONGED SITTING AND AFFECT: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

PURPOSE: Prolonged sitting is common in modern work environments, yet it has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including pain. Understanding how pain induced by prolonged sitting influences job performance will be essential for helping create change in seated offices. This pilot study measured the effects of 2 hrs of seated computer work on affect (any experience of feeling and emotion) and if pain exacerbated changes. METHODS: Nine participants (7 female) aged 18 to 40 who spent at least 50% of their work seated at a computer sat at a computer workstation for 2 hrs in our research laboratory. Participants completed surveys at 0, 60, and 120 min and standardized keyboard and mouse tasks in between. Pain was assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Scale and the Physical Symptom Inventory. Affect was measured using a validated scale of positive and negative affect words such as interested, distressed, excited, or upset. Participants indicated if they were currently experiencing these emotions from “Very slightly or not at all(1)” to “Extremely(5).” We used a non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA to assess changes effect over time and descriptive statistics to assess the effect changes based on pain over time. RESULTS: Positive affect decreased over time, but this was not significant (p=.128) (baseline median 26 [interquartile range=22-28]; 2 hrs = 8 [17-26]). Seven participants reported eye strain after 2 hours, and the decrease was more significant (8 points) for those with eye strain versus those without eye strain (6.5). Negative affect did not change. CONCLUSION: During seated computer work, positive affect may decrease over time and worsen with eye strain. Lower positive affect can impact job performance by reducing employee motivation, creativity, and engagement, leading to impaired decision-making and errors. Future studies expand our study sample and further explore the relationship between pain intensity, affect, and job performance.

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