Prevalence, characteristics, and impacts of work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a survey among physical therapists in the State of Kuwait

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical therapists working in the State of Kuwait are at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). However, prevalence rates and risk factors are not well documented. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and impacts of WMSDs among physical therapists in the State of Kuwait.MethodsA self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 350 physical therapists. The questionnaire gathered demographic data as well as information on occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in the previous 12 months. Descriptive statistics, frequency, and Chi-square analyses were used.ResultsThe response rate to the questionnaire was 63% (222/350). Of the 212 responders included in the study, the one-year prevalence of WMSDs was 47.6%, with lower back complaints as the most common (32%). This was followed by neck (21%), upper back (19%), shoulder (13%), hand/wrist (11%), knee (11%), ankle/foot (6%), elbow (4%), and hip/thigh (3%) complaints. The frequency of WMSDs was not gender related (except lower back, neck, and shoulder complaints) nor was it related to age (except lower back complaints), working venues (except hand/wrist), working hours, area of specialty, or exercise. WMSDs' impact on work was minor.ConclusionsWMSDs among physical therapists in Kuwait were common, with lower back and neck affected most. Lower back and neck WMSDs were related to the participant's demographics. Hand/wrist WMSDs were related to work settings. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of risk factors as physical load, psychosocial load, and general health status on prevalence musculoskeletal disorders.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Korean Physical Therapists

“…The low back is the body part with the highest WRMD prevalence, having been reported as 26% by Salik and Ozcan 1) , 28.8% by Molumphy et al 16) , 32.0% by Alrowayeh et al 19) , 35% by West and Gardner 11) , 45.0% by Bork et al 10) , 44% by Glover et al 12) , 51.7% by Nordin et al 21) , 56.5% by Grooten et al 20) , 62.5% by Cromie et al 9) , and 69.8% by Adegoke et al 15) Shehab et al 22) observed that lifetime WRMD prevalence rate was 70% among physical therapists with low back pain patients, because physical therapists handled their patients using inappropriate body mechanics and wrong techniques. Nordin et al 21) observed that physical therapists using manual treatments experienced more stress in the spine than in the hands because they applied manual treatments in the standing position over a long time.…”

“…5% in Cromie et al 9) , 69% in Molumphy et al 16) , 67% in Campo et al 14) , 73% in Glover et al 12) , 77.1% in Nordin et al 21) , and 80.0% in Bork et al 10) . Studies of WRMD prevalence in physical therapists in different countries indicate a prevalence of 47.6% in Kuwait 19) , 53.5% in Sweden 20) , 57.5-61% in the United States 10,14) , 67.5% in the United Kingdom 12) , 71.6% in Malaysia 21) , 85.0% in Turkey 1) , 54.8-91% in Australia 9,11) , and 91.3% in Nigeria 15) . The causes of WRMD included lack of personnel, bad working environments, and lack of equipment to reduce the burden on the body.…”

“…The purpose of this study was to provide basic information for preventing musculoskeletal symptoms and to identify measures that could reduce the incidence of WRMD 19) , 64.5% in Grooten et al 20) , 68. 5% in Cromie et al 9) , 69% in Molumphy et al 16) , 67% in Campo et al 14) , 73% in Glover et al 12) , 77.1% in Nordin et al 21) , and 80.0% in Bork et al 10) .…”

Musculoskeletal disorders in manual therapistis

“…Kuwait developed work (17) found no correlation of musculoskeletal disorders with the gender of the therapist. In the present study, the number of respondents manual therapists females was higher than males, indicating that women are more susceptible to diseases of the DMEs.…”

Work Related Neck Pain and Its Associated Factors among Registered Female Nurses Who Are Computer Users in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

“…In bivariate; Chi square analysis, the result of present study indicated that there were seven factors significantly associated with neck pain i.e. age, BMI, physical exercises, night shifts, neck bending, prolonged working hours on computer and personnel shortage.Further analysis, by using multiple logistic regression showed that age groups [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]) and [40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] physical exercises (p= 0.025,, working time on computer (p= 0.029, night shifts (p= 0.001, personnel shortage (p= 0.005, and neck bending (p= 0.013, …”