Impact of work from home in covid-19: a survey on musculoskeletal problems in it professionals

Background and need of study There has been abundant evidence about IT professionals suffering from different body aches and pains due to improper ergonomics. In current scenario of work from home due to Corona pandemic knowing their musculoskeletal disease status will help the health care professionals to devise a plan for prevention and treatment for this professional group. Aim To find common musculoskeletal problems faced by computer professionals while doing work from home in lockdown. Method Questions about current and previous musculoskeletal problems, working conditions and ways to tackle these problems were circulated using Google form to computer professionals doing work from home from duration of 15 April 2020 to 15 May 2020.Descriptive analysis was done to gather inferences. Results Percentage of shoulder pain/trapezius pain, elbow pain, wrist pain increased by double along with a significant increase in percentage of headache, eye strains and back pain in this period. 71% of the participants leaned in front to look properly at screen or preferred to lie down and work and 40% kept screen too close. 70% of the participants attributed it to faulty posture and increased screen time. 46% participants gave credit to the right posture, taking frequent breaks and exercises for reduction in their pain. Conclusion Musculoskeletal problems have increased in computer professionals in lockdown as compared to before. Prevalence of Neck/ shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain and eye strain has increased in lockdown. Inappropriate postures in spite of having good works station, disturbance while working at home and increased working hours seems to be the reason for this increase in problems. This is dealt successfully by them thru frequent breaks and adapting correct postures.