Musculoskeletal Complaints in Occupational Therapists Compared to the General Population
A Cross-Sectional Study in Germany
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15469218 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ronny Zenker (Technische Universität Dresden), Maria Girbig (0000-0002-9300-3969, Technische Universität Dresden, corresponding author), Janice Hegewald (0000-0003-3388-161X, Technische Universität Dresden), Irina Gilewitsch (Technische Universität Dresden), Mandy Wagner (Technische Universität Dresden), Albert Nienhaus (0000-0003-1881-7302, Universität Hamburg), Andreas Seidler (0000-0002-8107-8971, Technische Universität Dresden) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 14 |
| Pages | 4916-4916 |
| Publication date | 2020-07-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph17144916 |
| PMID | 32650412 |
| OpenAlex | W3041138227 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 37 |
Occupational therapists (OTs) are exposed to physical factors at work, which can lead to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Most studies examining musculoskeletal complaints in OT report that the neck, shoulders, and lower back are most often afflicted. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of work as an OT (focusing on specific work tasks) on specific musculoskeletal complaints compared to the general working population. A cross-sectional study involving a self-administered standardized questionnaire was conducted from January until October 2015 in Germany. In OT and the comparison group, the highest 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders were observed for the lower back, the neck, and the shoulders. In contrast, elevated prevalence ratios (PR) were found for OT in the thumbs (PR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.9-3.8), the wrists (PR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1-1.8), and the elbows (PR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0-2.2). OTs were particularly exposed to high exertion hand activity and several stressful postures at work. In conclusion, OTs seem to be at risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal complaints in the thumbs, wrists, and elbows. Preventive measures should help to reduce the exposures caused by highly repetitive and forceful hand activities
Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Occupational medicine · Occupational safety and health · Pathology · Physical therapy · Population · Shoulders · Medicine · Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Occupational Health and Safety Research · Workplace Health and Well-being · Surgery
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |