Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41253363›Full record

ArticleJMIR aging2025

The Impact of Digital Technology on the Physical Health of Older Workers: Scoping Review.

Jeroen Ja Spijker, Hande Barlın, Melina Dritsaki, Yang Gu, Aija Klavina, Nilufer Korkmaz Yaylagul, Gunilla Kulla, Murat Anil Mercan, Eda Orhun, Anna Sevcikova and 3 more

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR aging, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

13 authors.

Jeroen Ja SpijkerInstitute for Advanced Family Studies, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3957-9553
Hande BarlınDepartment of Economics, Gebze Technical University, Gebze, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7699-2382
Melina DritsakiDepartment of Economics, University of Western Macedonia, Kastoria, Greece.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1673-3036
Yang GuDepartment of Work, Employment, Management & Organization, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7630-8087
Aija KlavinaLaboratory of Sports and Nutrition Research, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1959-9941
Nilufer Korkmaz YaylagulDepartment of Gerontology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9918-7968
Gunilla KullaDepartment of Health and Caring Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Forde, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4438-6382
Murat Anil MercanDepartment of Economics, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2471-0616
Eda OrhunSchool of Business, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7153-4892
Anna SevcikovaFaculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9750-7320
Brigid UnimDepartment of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic-Diseases and Ageing, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6522-9098
Gunay YildizerFaculty of Sport Sciences, Eskisehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4292-2156
Cristina Maria TofanPsychology and Educational Sciences Department "Gheorghe Zane", Institute for Economic and Social Research, Romanian Academy, Iasi, Romania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8733-725X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDigital technologies are increasingly present in workplaces; however, their impact on the physical health of older workers remains unclear.

objectiveThis scoping review aims to examine and summarize the scientific evidence on how digital technology affects the physical health of older workers.

methodsFollowing PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines, we conducted a scoping review of English-language peer-reviewed studies extracted from MEDLINE, Cochrane, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, and ERIH PLUS. The review followed the population, concept, and context (PCC) framework, including studies on workers aged 50 years or older, any form of digital technology (eg, teleworking and the use of digital tools at work), and its impact on physical health (eg, vision loss and musculoskeletal disorders). Studies that focused only on mental health were excluded. A 13-member research team screened studies in 3 stages, namely title and abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction. Each study was independently reviewed by at least 2 researchers, and disagreements were resolved through discussion. Data extraction and synthesis were conducted using the web-based systematic review platform Covidence (Veritas Health Innovation Ltd).

resultsIn total, 18 studies were selected, published between 2012 and 2024, with most conducted in Europe (n=8) and Asia (n=6), followed by North America (n=2), Oceania (n=1), and Africa (n=1). We identified 6 key physical health areas impacted by digital technology in older workers, including eye health, musculoskeletal health, metabolic and cardiovascular health, workplace sound levels, and user experiences of new technologies. Findings showed mixed effects, with notable negative impacts on eye strain, musculoskeletal disorders, and hearing health issues, but positive effects on weight management, cardiovascular health, physical activity, and perceived physical well-being.

conclusionsDigital technology presents both risks and benefits for the physical health of older workers. While prolonged screen use and digital work environments contribute to eye strain, musculoskeletal issues, and hearing concerns, other technologies support better weight management, cardiovascular health, and increased physical activity. These findings also underscore the need for workplace intervention to reduce health risks. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/59900.

Indexed as

Digital TechnologyHealth StatusAgedHumansMiddle AgedWorkplaceagingdigital technologydigital toolsmobilitymusculoskeletal disordersolder populationolder workersphysical healthscoping reviewvision loss

Identifiers

PMID41253363
PMCPMC12673309

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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.