Musculoskeletal symptoms and work ability in a context of electronic judicial process

INTRODUCTION: The recent transformations undergone by Brazilian labor court, especially with the introduction of electronic process of law (processo judicial eletrônico [PJe]), had a significant influence on how people work. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms and work ability in public sector employees working in a specialized labor court body. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 449 workers, who provided demographic and occupational information and completed the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the Work Ability Index (WAI). RESULTS: Symptoms occurred more frequently in wrists/hands (62.4%), shoulders (62.1%), and neck (60.4%) in the past 12 months, and in the neck (29.8%), shoulders (29.4%), and wrists/hands (29.2%) in the past 7 days. The mean WAI score was 38.7 (6.4), and 31.4% of participants had poor or moderate work ability. WAI scores were poorer when participants had previous problems, and the number of body segments involved in complaints was greater among those with inadequate work ability. CONCLUSIONS: Higher frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms in wrists/hands, shoulders, and neck may be related to using PJe for work and is associated with poorer work ability scores, highlighting the importance of preventive interventions for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.