Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan ST (1)(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Tseung Kwan O Hospital
(2)School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
Introduction :
Musculoskeletal pain represents a significant global health burden, causing substantial disability, reduced quality of life, and economic costs. While occupational risks for musculoskeletal pain are well-documented in various work settings, the impact of domestic work remains understudied. Domestic tasks, which often involve repetitive movements and awkward postures, may pose similar ergonomic risks as traditional workplaces. Despite existing research on biomechanical aspects and pain prevalence among domestic workers, there is a notable lack of systematic evidence synthesis examining these associations.
Objectives :
(1) To systematically review and quantify the association between domestic workloads and three types of musculoskeletal pain (back, neck/shoulder, and non-specific)
(2) To evaluate the strength of evidence for these associations through meta-analysis
Methodology :
A systematic literature search was conducted across four major databases following PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-one observational studies examining domestic workloads and musculoskeletal pain were included. The ROBINS-E tool was employed for risk of bias assessment. Meta-analyses were conducted using Odds Ratios (ORs) as the effect size measure. The study included heterogeneity assessment, subgroup analyses, publication bias evaluation, and sensitivity analyses.
Result & Outcome :
The meta-analysis revealed positive associations between domestic workloads and both back pain (OR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.69) and neck/shoulder pain (OR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.49). No significant association was found with non-specific musculoskeletal pain. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² ranging from 61% to 74%), with occupation emerging as a significant moderator. Full-time homemakers demonstrated stronger associations compared to other occupational groups. While these findings suggest domestic workloads may be a risk factor for specific types of musculoskeletal pain, particularly among full-time homemakers, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to heterogeneity in study methodologies. Future research should focus on improving exposure and outcome measurements to address current limitations.
