The prevalence, characteristics, and impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – a cross-sectional study

• Authors: Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi , Karthik Vishwanathan , Bhavana Gadhavi , Ravi Shankar Reddy , Paul S. Samuel , Mastour Saeed Alshahrani , Lalitha Kakaraparthi , Vamsi Krishna Gannamaneni , Jaya Shanker Tedla

Abstracts

EN

BackgroundPhysical therapists are known to be susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), but the prevalence of WMSDs in Saudi Arabia has not been documented. This study aimed to establish the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of WMSDs among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 physical therapists in Saudi Arabia using a 6-component questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, incidence, percentages, and χ² test were used for data analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 68.8%. The reported 12-month incidence of WMSDs was 83.8%. The low back (63.7%) was the most common site of these disorders, followed by the neck (59.2%), while the hip/thigh (4.4%) was the least involved body part. Incidence was related to gender: females were more affected than males (neck, shoulders, low back); age: younger therapists were more affected than older ones (shoulders, low back); working sector: government sector workers were more affected than those employed in other sectors (neck); and specialty: orthopedic specialists were the most frequently affected, followed by those specializing in neurology (thumbs, upper back, knees, ankle/foot). Most of the physical therapists had >5 periods of neck, shoulder, and low-back WMSDs. The most important risk factor for WMSDs was treating more patients in a day (47.7%). The most frequently adopted handling strategy identified to combat WMSDS was modifying the patient’s position (62.8%).ConclusionsOverall, WMSDs among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia are common, with the low back and the neck constituting the most frequently affected body regions. Professional experience and the awareness of ergonomics principles can help prevent the early development of WMSDs among physical therapists. Med Pr. 2021;72(4):363–73

Keywords

EN

physical therapy; ergonomics; musculoskeletal disorders; workload; prevalence; Saudi Arabia

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: Medycyna Pracy
• Year: 2021
• Volume: 72
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 363-373

Dates

published

2021

Contributors

author

Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi

• King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences)
• Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (Department of Physiotherapy)

author

Karthik Vishwanathan

• Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (Parul Sevashram Hospital, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Department of Orthopaedics)

author

Bhavana Gadhavi

• Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (Department of Physiotherapy)

author

Ravi Shankar Reddy

• King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences)

author

Paul S. Samuel

• King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences)

author

Mastour Saeed Alshahrani

• King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences)

author

Lalitha Kakaraparthi

• Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India (Department of Physiotherapy)

author

Vamsi Krishna Gannamaneni

• Hail University, Hail, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy)

author

Jaya Shanker Tedla

• King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/mp.5893.01114

Biblioteka Nauki

2081895