{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T09:20:36Z","timestamp":1788254436757,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788220800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100009381","name":"IMU University","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["MSPH I-2024(06)"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["MSPH I-2024(06)"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100009381","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"award":["MSPH I-2024(06)"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["MSPH I-2024(06)"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04d4wjw61","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Epidemiologia"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational health concern among medical laboratory workers (MLWs) worldwide. However, in cross-sectional epidemiological assessments, these are more accurately characterized as self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs). Despite growing awareness of physical ergonomic risk factors, the multifactorial etiology of these symptoms, such as psychosocial factors, remains incompletely understood in research laboratory settings. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSSs among MLWs in a Malaysian research institute, assess physical ergonomic risk in their daily tasks, and evaluate the empirical association between MSSs and psychosocial work engagement. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among MLWs at a Malaysian medical research institute. The 12-month prevalence of self-reported MSSs was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Physical ergonomic risk was evaluated utilizing the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Psychosocial work engagement was measured using the 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Results: A total of 115 MLWs participated, with 73 (63.5%) reporting MSSs. The neck had the highest complaints (n = 43, 37.4%), followed by the lower back (n = 35, 30.4%) and shoulders (n = 33, 28.7%). Multivariable modified Poisson Generalized Estimating Equations revealed that physical ergonomic risk (REBA) was significantly associated with symptoms in the shoulder, upper back, and lower back. Female sex was independently correlated with the overall prevalence of MSSs (aPR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.14\u20131.68), with marked associations observed for the neck and knees. Psychosocially, high \u201cabsorption\u201d in work was significantly associated with upper back symptom prevalence (aPR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.15\u20132.14). Conclusions: Ergonomic strain demonstrates a strong association with axial and shoulder symptoms among MLWs, while demographic characteristics and cumulative tenure correlate with specific extremity symptoms. Paradoxically, high psychological absorption emerges as a distinct correlate of upper back symptoms, likely due to prolonged postural neglect during deep concentration. Occupational health programs may benefit from combining targeted ergonomic accommodations with strategies designed to mitigate the potential physical vulnerabilities of highly absorbed personnel.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/epidemiologia7050122","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T08:31:13Z","timestamp":1788251473000},"page":"122","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Ergonomic Risks, Psychosocial Associations and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Laboratory Workers in a Malaysian Medical Research Institute"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"7","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4440-6382","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Imanul Hassan","family":"Abdul Shukor","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute for Health Management, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"conceptualization","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"methodology","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"software","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"validation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"formal-analysis","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"investigation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"data-curation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-original-draft","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-review-editing","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"visualization","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"project-administration","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4680-4410","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mohd Faiz","family":"Ibrahim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Environmental Health Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"validation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-original-draft","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-review-editing","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"supervision","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0393-0249","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Wei Fern","family":"Siew","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Public Health and Community Medicine Department, School of Medicine, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"conceptualization","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"methodology","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"validation","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"resources","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-original-draft","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-review-editing","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"supervision","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"funding-acquisition","vocabulary":"credit"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Greggi, C., Visconti, V.V., Albanese, M., Gasperini, B., Chiavoghilefu, A., Prezioso, C., Persechino, B., Iavicoli, S., Gasbarra, E., and Iundusi, R. (2024). Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Clin. Med., 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm13133964"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alyousef, Y.S., Johnston, V., and Smith, M.D. (2023). Work-Related Outcomes in Individuals with and without Lower Limb Osteoarthritis: An Online Survey. BMC Public Health, 23.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-023-16723-3"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, M., Rong, J., An, X., Li, Y., Min, Y., Yuan, G., Yang, Y., and Li, M. (2025). Global, Regional, and National Burden of Musculoskeletal Disorders, 1990\u20132021: An Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 and Forecast to 2035. Front. Public Health, 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1562701"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19806","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-04945-x","article-title":"Prevalence and Associated Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms amongst Emergency Medical Service Workers","volume":"15","author":"So","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"155","DOI":"10.1016\/j.shaw.2022.02.001","article-title":"Prevalence of Accident Occurrence Among Scientific Laboratory Workers of the Public University in Lebanon and the Impact of Safety Measures","volume":"13","author":"Nasrallah","year":"2022","journal-title":"Saf. Health Work"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aldhabi, R., Alzahrani, A., Alsobhi, M., Albadi, M., Alfawaz, S., Alabasi, U., Almaddah, M., Gmmash, A., Neamatallah, Z., and Gaowgzeh, R.A. (2025). Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Clinical Laboratory Technicians. Healthcare, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare13121406"},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"1733","article-title":"Initial Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomics Risk Factors among Laboratory Workers, Kuala Lumpur","volume":"80","year":"2025","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fikre, D., Hawulte Ayele, B., Sime, A., Tebeje, F., and Weldegebreal, F. (2024). Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder and Ergonomic Risk Practice among Medical Laboratory Professionals at Health Facilities of Eastern Ethiopia. Front. Public Health, 12.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1443217"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"575","DOI":"10.1002\/ajim.23613","article-title":"Changes Needed to Reduce Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders","volume":"67","author":"Macdonald","year":"2024","journal-title":"Am. J. Ind. Med."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"ckaf161.179","DOI":"10.1093\/eurpub\/ckaf161.179","article-title":"Multi-Trajectory of Musculoskeletal and Mental Disorders: A Multi-Cohort Study","volume":"35","author":"Neupane","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eur. J. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.1016\/S0003-6870(99)00039-3","article-title":"Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)","volume":"31","author":"Hignett","year":"2000","journal-title":"Appl. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.1016\/0003-6870(93)90080-S","article-title":"RULA: A Survey Method for the Investigation of Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders","volume":"24","author":"McAtamney","year":"1993","journal-title":"Appl. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ergon.2019.02.010","article-title":"Intra-Rater and Inter-Rater Reliability of the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Tool","volume":"71","author":"Schwartz","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Ind. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1080\/1463922X.2025.2560916","article-title":"Ergonomic Risk Assessment for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Office Workers: A Systematic Review","volume":"27","author":"Yeampattanaporn","year":"2026","journal-title":"Theor. Issues Ergon. Sci."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sala, E., Cipriani, L., Bisioli, A., Paraggio, E., Tomasi, C., Apostoli, P., and De Palma, G. (2023). A Twenty-Year Retrospective Analysis of Risk Assessment of Biomechanical Overload of the Upper Limbs in Multiple Occupational Settings: Comparison of Different Ergonomic Methods. Bioengineering, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/bioengineering10050580"},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"356","article-title":"Association between Organizational, Biomechanical, Hard Physical and Psychosocial Risk Factors and Job-Related Musculoskeletal Problem Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review","volume":"3","author":"Anwar","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Soc. Sci. Rev."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"164","DOI":"10.1037\/1076-8998.5.1.164","article-title":"Biomechanical, Psychosocial, and Organizational Risk Factors for WRMSD: Population-Based Estimates from the Connecticut Upper-Extremity Surveillance Project (CUSP)","volume":"5","author":"Warren","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Occup. Health Psychol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Amatori, S., Gobbi, E., Sisti, D., Pivato, G., Giombini, G., Rombaldoni, R., Calcagnini, G., Rocchi, M.B.L., and Perroni, F. (2024). Physical Activity, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Burnout, and Work Engagement: A Cross-Sectional Study on Italian White-Collar Employees. Front. Public Health, 12.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1375817"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barros, C., and Baylina, P. (2024). Disclosing Strain: How Psychosocial Risk Factors Influence Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Healthcare Workers Preceding and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 21.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph21050564"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"050003","DOI":"10.1063\/5.0195557","article-title":"Interaction of Psychosocial Factors in Relation to Mental Health among Workers in Malaysia: A Review of Literature","volume":"2923","author":"Amin","year":"2024","journal-title":"AIP Conf. Proc."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"517","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpain.2008.11.008","article-title":"Development and Test\u2013Retest Reliability of an Extended Version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E): A Screening Instrument for Musculoskeletal Pain","volume":"10","author":"Dawson","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Pain"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.4103\/ajm.ajm_67_19","article-title":"Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Clinical Laboratory Workers","volume":"10","author":"AlNekhilan","year":"2020","journal-title":"Avicenna J. Med."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Department of Occupational Safety and Health (2026, August 17). Advance Ergonomic Risk Assesment, Available online: https:\/\/dosh.gov.my\/en\/senarai-kelulusan-kebenaran\/advance-ergonomic-risk-assesment\/."},{"key":"ref_24","unstructured":"IBM Corp. (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, 2022). IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 29.0."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"Schaufeli, W.B., Salanova, M., Gonz\u00e1lez-Rom\u00e1, V., and Bakker, A.B. (2011). Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17, Utrecht University."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"121","DOI":"10.2307\/2531248","article-title":"Longitudinal Data Analysis for Discrete and Continuous Outcomes","volume":"42","author":"Zeger","year":"1986","journal-title":"Biometrics"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"984","DOI":"10.1093\/aje\/kwr183","article-title":"Performance of the Modified Poisson Regression Approach for Estimating Relative Risks from Clustered Prospective Data","volume":"174","author":"Yelland","year":"2011","journal-title":"Am. J. Epidemiol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"917","DOI":"10.1007\/s00403-022-02428-x","article-title":"Ergonomic and Psychosocial Risk Factors Associated with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Mohs Histotechs","volume":"315","author":"Shah","year":"2023","journal-title":"Arch. Dermatol. Res."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.20473\/ijosh.v12i1SI.2023.35-41","article-title":"Ergonomic Risk Assessment and MSDs Symptoms Among Laboratory Workers Using SNI 9011-2021","volume":"12","author":"Kusumawardhani","year":"2023","journal-title":"Indones. J. Occup. Saf. Health"},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"1351","article-title":"Exposure to Job Related Risk Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Medical Laboratory Workers","volume":"22","author":"Vahur","year":"2024","journal-title":"Agron. Res."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ergon.2022.103349","article-title":"Activities of Microscopy and Pathology Cause the Most Musculoskeletal Discomfort for Medical Laboratory Professionals\u2014Results from a Detailed Ergonomic Analysis","volume":"92","author":"Patrao","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Ind. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"453","DOI":"10.3233\/BMR-140466","article-title":"Evaluation of the Working Posture and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Medical Laboratory Technicians","volume":"27","author":"Maulik","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Back. Musculoskelet. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1016\/S0003-6870(97)00002-1","article-title":"A Questionnaire Survey of the Ergonomic Problems Associated with Pipettes and Their Usage with Specific Reference to Work Related Upper Limb Disorders","volume":"28","author":"David","year":"1997","journal-title":"Appl. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.1016\/0003-6870(94)90069-8","article-title":"Hand and Shoulder Ailments among Laboratory Technicians Using Modern Plunger-Operated Pipettes","volume":"25","author":"Almby","year":"1994","journal-title":"Appl. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"355","DOI":"10.1080\/10803548.2014.11077049","article-title":"Psychosocial and Individual Characteristics and Musculoskeletal Complaints among Clinical Laboratory Workers","volume":"20","author":"Sadeghian","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"840","DOI":"10.1080\/10803548.2019.1646531","article-title":"Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Problems in Laboratory Technicians","volume":"27","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"266","DOI":"10.1177\/875647939601200604","article-title":"Musculoskeletal Symptomatology and Repetitive Strain Injuries in Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: A Pilot Study in Washington and Oregon","volume":"12","author":"Necas","year":"1996","journal-title":"J. Diagn. Med. Sonogr."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"566","DOI":"10.1108\/ER-10-2022-0491","article-title":"Coming to Work with an Illness: The Role of High-Involvement Work Systems and Individual Competence on Presenteeism","volume":"46","author":"Islam","year":"2023","journal-title":"Empl. Relat."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1016\/j.shaw.2022.12.001","article-title":"The Effects of Job Demand-Control-Support Profiles on Presenteeism: Evidence from the Sixth Korean Working Condition Survey","volume":"14","author":"Min","year":"2023","journal-title":"Saf. Health Work"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.667","article-title":"Static Muscular Load, an Increasing Hazard in Modern Information Technology","volume":"28","author":"Takala","year":"2002","journal-title":"Scand. J. Work. Environ. Health"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"746","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2923.2007.02803.x","article-title":"Volunteer Bias in Medical Education Research: An Empirical Study of over Three Decades of Longitudinal Data","volume":"41","author":"Callahan","year":"2007","journal-title":"Med. Educ."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Baumeister, S.-E., Kocher, T., Papapanou, P.N., Holtfreter, B., and Demmer, R.T. (2026). Cross-Sectional Studies: Strengths, Limitations, and Methodological Considerations. J. Periodontal Res., 1\u201312.","DOI":"10.1111\/jre.70063"}],"container-title":["Epidemiologia"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2673-3986\/7\/5\/122\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T09:05:22Z","timestamp":1788253522000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2673-3986\/7\/5\/122"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"references-count":42,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]}},"alternative-id":["epidemiologia7050122"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/epidemiologia7050122","relation":{},"ISSN":["2673-3986"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2673-3986","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]}}}