scholarly journals Prevalence, job risk factors and coping strategies of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Physiotherapists

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Saravanan Prerana ◽  
Murugan Saravanan ◽  
Lad Krunal ◽  
Ramani Krishna ◽  
Vadodarariya Ruchi

Background: Physiotherapists, despite having good knowledge of work related musculoskeletal disorders, are not immune to it. As literature related to these injuries in Physiotherapy profession in India is scarce, this study aims to investigate prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder, job risk factors commonly involved and coping strategies used among Physiotherapist in India. Methods: A semi structured questionnaire adopted from questionnaires used for similar studies around the world was circulated to 314 Physiotherapists. A total of 271 questionnaires were received back with a response rate of 86%. Mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage and chi square test were used as appropriate for data analysis. Results: Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders was found to be 62.73%. Lower back region was affected the most (65.3%) followed by neck (41.8%) and shoulder (26.5%). As per response of therapists in this study, the most common risk factors were: working in static positions for longer periods (77%), treating large number of patients in single day (68.2%) and bending and twisting back in awkward positions (65.8%).Common coping strategies adopted by respondents were: modifying positions of patient and self (54.1%), adjusting height of treatment surface (47.1%) and selection of techniques that does not aggravate or provoke discomfort (41.8%). Conclusion: This study has identified the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among Physiotherapists in India and possible risk factors associated with this profession. It has also identified the common coping strategies utilized by therapists. These findings would be significant in modifying risk factors to prevent and/or minimize work related musculoskeletal disorders among physiotherapists.

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Baptiste Sagahutu ◽  
A. Nuhu

Background: Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) represent a significant occupational problem among physiotherapy practitioners worldwide; however, data on this problem are sparse in Rwanda.Objective: To identify the prevalence, risk factors and preventive strategies for WMSDs among physiotherapists in Kigali-Rwanda.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative design was used. A self-administered questionnaire was used among 49 physiotherapists. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics. Ethical clearance was obtained from the IRB of University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences.Results: The prevalence of WMSDs among physiotherapists in Kigali was 77.8%. The lower back was the most affected body part (77.1%). Forty percent experienced WMSDs in their first one to five years of experience. Working in the same positions for long periods (40.0%) and treating excessive number of patients per day (31.1%) were the most perceived risk factors. The commonest identified preventive strategies were to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time 77.8% and adjust plinth or bed height 77.8. Only 31.1% stopped patients’ treatment if it caused or aggravated their WMSDs.Conclusion: The prevalence of WMSDs among physiotherapists in Kigali was high. Risk factors have been identified and vaious preventive strategies have been suggested by physiotherapists themselves and should be applied.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walaa Abu-Taleb ◽  
Aliaa Rehan Youssef

Abstract Background Physical therapists (PTs) are frequently exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). There is limited evidence on the prevalence of these injuries and their potential risk factors in Egyptian PTs. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of WMSDs among Egyptian PTs as well as potential risk factors and therapists’ coping strategies. Further, it investigated the association between WMSDs and socioeconomic factors. Results Three hundred eighty-five eligible participants completed a survey. The prevalence of WMSDs was 99.5%. The five top affected anatomic regions were lower back (69.1%), neck (65.7%), shoulder (47.7%), wrist/hand (39.1%), and upper back (37.0%). Therapists rated awkward positions and handling of heavy patients as the most common predisposing factors for sustaining injuries. Regarding coping strategies, seeking informal help from peers to treat injuries-related symptoms and changing the posture of therapists and patients while working were mostly used by PTs. Overall, female therapists had higher injury prevalence than males (Cramer’s V < 0.5, p ≤ 0.05); except for upper back (p > 0.05). Education and working in multiple facilities simultaneously (public and private clinics) correlated significantly to sustaining injuries in the upper back (V = 0.14, p = 0.049 and V = 0.178, p = 0.002, respectively) and neck (V = 0.16, p = .019 and V = 0.142, p = 0.020, respectively). WMSDs were not associated with therapists’ experience or specialty (p > 0.05). Conclusion WMSDs injuries in PTs are prevalent in Egypt, especially in females, therapists with lower academic education, and those working in multiple facilities simultaneously.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-35
Author(s):  
Muhammad Hammad Haleem ◽  
Ikram Ali ◽  
Savera Khan ◽  
Abdullah Jehangir ◽  
Irfan Ullah

Introduction: Physical therapists are required to perform tasks that predispose them to developing work related musculoskeletal disorders. The physical therapists personal and professional life can be affected by work related musculoskeletal disorders. High level evidence is lacking regarding work related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to combine information on prevalence, risk factors and the consequences of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists. Material & Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines.Three members independently searched the databases PubMed and other online sources including google scholar for relevant data from July 2014 to September 2020. Cross-sectional studies published in English language which reported work related musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists were included. Studies involving physical therapy students and internees, having insufficient information about past or current work-related musculoskeletal disorders, sample size of physical therapists less than 50 and not published in peer reviewed journals were excluded. Results: Twenty one articles were included in current systematic review. The 1-year prevalence of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists ranged from 38.5% to 97.6%. The low back was the commonest affected body part. Treating large number of patients and manual therapy were the leading risk factors for developing work related musculoskeletal disorders. The most common consequences were modifying treatment techniques and reducing work hours. Conclusion: Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders are high among physical therapists. The nature of physical therapy job presents significant risk factors which can lead to work related musculoskeletal disorders.


Author(s):  
Vivek Ramanandi ◽  
Anjan Desai

Background: Physiotherapists (PTs) are at the highest risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) because of the nature of demands from their profession. This review aims to describe current knowledge associated with the prevalence and risk factors of WMSDs among Indian PTs. Methods: Various electronic databases were searched for literature relating to WMSDs in PTs from India between years 2010 and 2020. Four full texts and two abstracts were selected based on the inclusion criteria and reviewed in a narrative way. Results: Overall prevalence of WMSDs among PTs was reported to be high, with lifetime prevalence as high as 91%, and the lower back, neck, upper back, and shoulders as the most frequently affected in descending order. The major risk factors reported for WMSDs were: lifting, physical load, transferring, static and awkward static postures, treating a large number of patients per day, and repetitive movements. WMSDs were reported to be associated with age, gender, and physical activity levels, with a higher prevalence in female PTs. Also the younger PTs and PTs with lower physical activity levels were reported to be more affected. Conclusion: It was inferred that the work-related injuries are not prevented by the knowledge about cor­rect body mechanics and skills. PTs need to develop work modification strategies and mechanical aids to reduce WMSDs in without compromising the quality of treatment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Pavlovic-Veselinovic

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are becoming a major problem in world economy. There is many and various risk factors that contribute to their development. Repetitive work is one of the most important risk factor. In this paper is described the body's response to repetitive strain, existing methods for evaluation/ quantification of repetition as risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders. The author proposes a new multidimensional scale for rating the level of risk of repetitive work, which may be useful in the risk assessment of the workplace. Key words: ergonomics, work related musculoskeletal disorders, risk assessment.


Author(s):  
Gh Halvani ◽  
H Fallah ◽  
R Jafari Nodoushan ◽  
A Haji hosseini ◽  
H Fallah zadeh ◽  
...  

Introduction: The condition of work in handloom weaving industries cause musculoskeletal (MSDS) disorders which are the most prevailing professional problem among weavers. The aim of this research was to determine ergonomic risk factors in the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Method: The present study was done through descriptive cross-section method to assess the risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the weavers. Our data collection tools were: demographic questionnaire, job Nordic questionnaire and body map prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders to decide the rate of symptoms. Then, we took film from handloom weavers while wearing to know the condition of their bodies. After reviewing the films, the posture marks was assigned to each duty using the Ergo Intelligence software. At the end, data were analyzed via one-way ANOVA and T-test using SPSS ver.20. Results: The results showed that the most frequent incidence of pain in different organs of the body during last year belonged to neck and shoulder. The average OCRA was 3.65.This indicated that most of the handloom weavers (64.4%) are at high risk. Conclusion: According to the re According to the results of OCRA indices, weavers are at high risk for musculoskeletal injuries, indicating their poor working environment and working conditions, indicating the need for corrective actions.


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