Relationship of sleep deficiency to perceived pain and functional limitations in hospital patient care workers

Abstract

Objective: Health care workers are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms and pain. This study tested the hypothesis that sleep deficiency is associated with pain, functional limitations, and physical limitations that interfere with work.

Methods: Hospital patient care workers completed a survey (79% response rate) including measures of health, sociodemographic, and workplace factors. Associations of sleep deficiency with pain, work interference due to this pain, and functional limitations were determined.

Results: Of 1572 respondents (90% women; mean age, 41 years), 57% reported sleep deficiency, 73% pain in last 3 months, 33% work interference, and 18% functional limitation. Sleep deficiency was associated with higher rates of pain, work interference, and functional limitation controlling for socioeconomic, individual, and workplace characteristics.

Conclusions: Sleep deficiency is significantly associated with pain, functional limitation, and workplace interference, suggesting modifiable outcomes for workplace health and safety interventions.

Figure 1. Frequencies of Sleep Deficiencies

Subjects (n=1516 without missingness) with short sleep duration (<6h/day, red circle; D), sleep insufficiency (never/rarely feeling rested on waking; green; S), and/or insomnia symptoms (3 or more times a week, blue; I) are depicted.