Associations between cognitive and personality traits and work productivity loss in desk workers with low back pain: a cross-sectional study

Environ Occup Health Pract. 2026 Apr 16;8(1):2025-0025. doi: 10.1539/eohp.2025-0025. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the associations between cognitive and personality traits and work productivity loss among desk workers with low back pain (LBP).

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,223 corporate employees in Japan. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing work productivity (quantity-quality method), pain intensity (numerical rating scale), disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire), beliefs about LBP (Back Beliefs Questionnaire), and personality traits (Ten Item Personality Inventory). Multiple linear regression analysis examined factors associated with productivity loss. To confirm robustness, a sensitivity analysis was performed limited to participants who identified LBP as the primary cause of their productivity loss.

RESULTS: Among the participants, 1,201 (54.0%) reported LBP. Regression analysis indicated that beliefs about LBP (β=-0.40, p=0.011), conscientiousness (β=-0.99, p=0.006), neuroticism (β=1.02, p=0.007), and age (β=-0.18, p=0.002) were significantly associated with work productivity loss. Pain intensity (p=0.139) and functional disability (p=0.574) were not significantly associated with productivity loss. These findings were consistent in the sensitivity analysis, where pain intensity remained unrelated to productivity loss.

CONCLUSIONS: Psychological and cognitive factors, particularly beliefs about LBP and personality traits, may have a stronger impact on work productivity than physical symptoms among desk workers. Interventions focusing on cognitive restructuring and personality-tailored strategies are necessary to mitigate productivity losses.

PMID:42367355 | PMC:PMC13293773 | DOI:10.1539/eohp.2025-0025