Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41251732›Full record

ArticleInternational archives of occupational and environmental health2025

Algorithmic management is associated with psychological distress, musculoskeletal pain, and occupational accidents: a cross-sectional study in logistics.

Karin Hennum Nilsson, Theo Bodin, Pille Strauss, Nuria Matilla-Santander, Kathryn Badarin, Emma Brulin, Carin Håkansta

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International archives of occupational and environmental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Karin Hennum NilssonUnit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
Theo BodinUnit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
Pille StraussUnit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nuria Matilla-SantanderUnit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
Kathryn BadarinUnit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
Emma BrulinUnit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
Carin HåkanstaUnit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden. Carin.Hakansta@ki.se.ORCID 0000-0001-7491-9093

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveAlgorithmic Management (AM) is increasingly shaping work environments across various sectors, influencing how tasks are assigned and monitored. While concerns have been raised regarding its potential impact on worker health, empirical evidence remains limited. This study examines the association between level of AM exposure and adverse health outcomes among logistics workers.

methodsThis cross-sectional study used an online survey, targeting logistics workers in Sweden. AM exposure was measured using an 11-item scale capturing aspects such as task allocation, surveillance, and performance monitoring. Health outcomes included psychological distress, musculoskeletal pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, and occupational accidents.

resultsHigher AM exposure was associated with increased prevalence of psychological distress (PR 2·12, 95% CI 1·49-3·02), occupational accidents (PR 1·92, 95% CI 1·22-3·01), headaches (PR 1·68, 95%CI 1·09-2·58), and musculoskeletal pain (PR 1·54, 95% CI 1·23-1·92). Stratified analyses revealed stronger associations for drivers, particularly regarding psychological distress, headaches, and sleep disturbances, while warehouse workers exhibited less consistent patterns.

conclusionsThese findings highlight AM as a potential occupational health hazard, particularly when involving high levels of automated oversight and direction. While AM can enhance efficiency, its impact on worker well-being and public health warrants further attention and potentially mitigation strategies to inform policies that balance technological advancements with worker health protection.

Indexed as

Accidents, OccupationalAlgorithmsMusculoskeletal PainPsychological DistressAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHeadacheHumansMaleMiddle AgedOccupational DiseasesSleep Wake DisordersSurveys and QuestionnairesSwedenWorkplaceAlgorithmic managementDigitalizationLogisticsMusculoskeletal painOccupational accidentsOccupational safety and healthPsychological distressWorkplace injuries

Identifiers

PMID41251732
PMCPMC12672710

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.