Table 1 Demographic characteristics of 21 interview participants

Age

49 (6.9)

   20-30 years

0

   31-40 years

4

19

   41-50 years

4

19

   51-60 years

13

62

Gender

   Male

9

43

   Female

12

57

Education

   Primary

8

38

   Secondary

6

29

   Higher

7

33

Profession

   Teacher

4

19

   Healthcare

6

29

   Sales

2

10

   Engineering

3

14

   Gardening

3

14

   Administration

2

10

   Journalist

1

4

Working hours

31 (8.4)

   20 hours

4

19

   21-30 hours

5

24

   31-40 hours

12

57

Pain location

   (low) Back

9

43

   Neck/shoulders

7

33

   Fibromyalgia

5

24

Pain intensity NRS ^a now

4.5 (1.9)

   1-4

8

38

   5-7

9

43

   8-10

4

19

Pain intensity NRS average ^b

5.3 (1.7)

   1-4

2

10

   5-7

12

57

   8-10

7

33

Pain duration

   1-2 years

3

14

   3-5 years

0

0

   >5 years

18

86

Pain Disability Index (PDI)

20.3 (8.2)

   0-10

2

10

   11-20

7

33

   21-30

10

47

   >30

2

10

Occupational parameter PDI

3.7 (1.5)

Work

   Paid employment

19

90

   Self-employed

2

10

Work absence previous year ^c

   0 days

17

81

   1-10 days

4

19