First published on February 14, 2008

Physical Therapy 2008;88:608.

Physical Therapy
DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20070127
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Research Report

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Physical Therapists: A Prospective Cohort Study With 1-Year Follow-up

Marc Campo, Sherri Weiser, Karen L Koenig and Margareta Nordin

M Campo, PT, PhD, OCS, is Assistant Professor, Program in Physical Therapy, Mercy College, 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 (USA).
S Weiser, PhD, is Research Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery and Environmental Medicine, New York University, and Senior Manager of Psychological Services, Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY.
KL Koenig, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.
M Nordin, DrMedSci, is Director, Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Program Director, Graduate Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics, and Research Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery and Environmental Medicine, New York University.

mcampo{at}mercy.edu

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have a significant impact on physical therapists, but few studies have addressed the issue. Research is needed to determine the scope of the problem and the effects of specific risk factors.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the 1-year incidence rate of WMSDs in physical therapists and (2) to determine the effects of specific risk factors.

Design: This was a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up.

Method: Subjects were randomly selected American Physical Therapy Association members (N=882). Exposure assessment included demographic data, physical risk factors, job strain, and specific physical therapy tasks. The primary outcome was WMSDs, with a severity rating of at least 4/10 and present at least once a month or lasting longer than a week.

Results: The response rate to the baseline questionnaire was 67%. Ninety-three percent of the subjects who responded to the baseline questionnaire responded to the follow-up questionnaire. The 1-year incidence rate of WMSDs was 20.7%. Factors that increased the risk for WMSDs included patient transfers, patient repositioning, bent or twisted postures, joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and job strain.

Limitations: The primary limitation of this study was the number of therapists who had a change in their job situation during the follow-up year.

Conclusions: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in physical therapists. Physical therapy exposures, patient handling, and manual therapy, in particular, increase the risk for WMSDs.


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