The population is aging, and as a result, working lives are getting longer—people over 55 now make up a significantly larger share of the workforce in the European Union than they did twenty years ago. But the nature of work itself is also changing—digital technologies are increasingly becoming part of it, and a larger portion of work is being done from home.
Digital technologies offer older employees a number of benefits, such as greater flexibility and less physically demanding tasks. On the other hand, they also carry risks—in particular, sitting in front of a screen for long periods can have negative consequences. A more detailed explanation of exactly how digitization affects the physical health of older workers is still lacking. However, this is precisely the focus of a new review article co-authored by Anna Ševčíková of INPSY.
A 13-member international team of researchers from institutions across Europe and beyond collaborated on the study—in addition to Anna Ševčíková, colleagues from Spain, Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Morocco, Italy, and Romania also contributed. The team searched seven major scientific databases and, from more than 7,000 texts found, ultimately selected 18 studies that addressed the researchers’ main question—namely, what impact digital technologies have on the physical health of workers over the age of 50.
Eyes, Back, and Chronic Conditions?
The study shows that digital technologies affect the physical health of older workers in several ways, both positively and negatively. The most significant negative impacts relate to the eyes and the musculoskeletal system. Prolonged sitting in front of a screen leads to eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision, with the risk increasing mainly with the intensity of technology use at work—not necessarily with age alone. The same is true for neck, back, and shoulder pain, which often occur in people working from home or in a hybrid work arrangement; the more days per week they spend working remotely, the more frequent these issues become. The good news, however, is that relatively simple measures have proven effective in both areas—eye relaxation exercises or training focused on proper posture have significantly alleviated employees’ symptoms, in some cases even in the long term.
However, some effects are more complex. While remote work was associated with a higher risk of heart disease among younger workers, this association was not confirmed among older employees. On the contrary, frequent internet use was associated with a lower incidence of several chronic diseases among people over 45. The authors note, however, that this may be partly due to the fact that the internet is generally used more by people who are already healthier or in a better life situation.
Digital tools designed to directly support employees during the digital transformation also show promise—whether they are apps to encourage physical activity or programs to help manage the transition to retirement. For such tools to be effective, however, they must be adapted to the needs of older users and account for barriers such as lower digital literacy or concerns about using new technologies.
Recommendations for Employers
The authors of the study therefore emphasize that employers play a key role—they are the ones who can significantly mitigate the risks associated with the digitization of work. Specific measures they recommend include adjustable desks and chairs, wearable devices that track movement and screen time, and regular breaks and short exercises during work hours. It may also be helpful to involve occupational health experts who can assess the risks for a specific employee and suggest tailored measures. The latest findings thus point in a clear direction: if the digitization of work is to benefit aging employees as well, technology must adapt to people, not the other way around.
Recommended citation:
Spijker, J. J., Barlın, H., Dritsaki, M., Gu, Y., Klavina, A., Korkmaz Yaylagul, N., Kulla, G., Mercan, M. A., Orhun, E., Sevcikova, A., Unim, B., Yildizer, G., & Tofan, C. M. (2025). The Impact of Digital Technology on the Physical Health of Older Workers: Scoping Review. JMIR Aging, 8, e78406. https://doi.org/10.2196/78406
