Physical therapists with work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the State of Kuwait: A comparison across countries and health care professions

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the US, as the demands for rehabilitation services increase, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have increased among rehabilitation practitioners. This trend has been noticed among physical therapists (PTs) in the State of Kuwait. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with WMSDs among PTs in Kuwait over a 12-month period. In addition, the result compared across countries and health care professions. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the PT departments at Kuwait government hospitals and schools. A total of 312 returned questionnaires (69.3% response rate) were received. RESULTS: Results showed that 149 (48%) PT respondents experienced WMSDs. The lower back and muscle spasm were the most common area of the body injured and type of injury, respectively. Manual therapy techniques and patient transfers were most common activities associated with injuries. CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of PTs with WMSDs in Kuwait was high and similar to other studies of PTs with WMSDs working in other countries. The performance of work activities was the leading risk factor for WMSDs, and WMSDs were prevalent among industrialized, industrially developing, and underdeveloped countries. Education of PTs regarding ergonomic and biomechanical principles as well as hands-on training of patient handling are the key tools to help prevent WMSDs.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Slovenian physiotherapists

“…Physiotherapists are exposed to the overloading of the musculoskeletal system associated with the non-ergonomic position (19). Modern methods also require the strength of the whole body and using the force of the hands to get the proper function of the patient (19,20). One-year prevalence of WMSD among physiotherapists ranges from 28 to 96% (13).…”

“…One-year prevalence of WMSD among physiotherapists ranges from 28 to 96% (13). Low back pain is the most common problem of physiotherapists (11,(13)(14)(15)17,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30). For the lower back area, the 1-year prevalence is 6.6-83%, mostly due to repeated lifting and transferring, twisting, and bending or standing for a long time (13,23).…”

Immediate Effects of Roller Massage for Posterior Neck Muscles on the Muscle Strength and Range of Motion for Cranio-Cervical Flexion in Subjects With Forward Head Posture

“…In physical therapists, wrist, hand, and finger pain is mostly related to their work [17]. More than 20% of physical therapists experience wrist and hand injuries, which limits their ability to perform manual therapy techniques [18]. Therefore, treatment tools are being developed that can protect the wrists and hand of physical therapists and provide effective treatment for patients.…”

The evaluation of postural characteristics in rehabilitation professionals and its effect on pain, quality of life, and sleep level

“…Since the rehabilitation professionals play a primary role in various medical procedures, such as conducting physical examinations of patients, caregiving, providing hygiene, positioning, monitoring vital functions, taking blood samples, applying medications, implement of physical therapy modalities, planning and manufacturing orthotic materials, preparation medical documents and reports; they remain in fixed and sometimes non-optimal positions of the body, which can lead to diseases of the musculoskeletal system for a long time. There are few studies in literature which determines the musculokeletal complaints in rehabilitation professionals (2,3,4). In a study by Islam et al (2) it was revealed that ninety-five percent of the participants complained of work related pain and most of the participants reported pain in the lower back (n=84) followed by upper back (n=71) and neck (n=66) .…”