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Abstract

Objective:To determine the 12-month prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among professional physical therapists (PTs) working in UST-CRS affiliated centers, their severity, associated factors and the PT's responses to injury. Methods: A 4-page self-administered questionnaire was used to gather demographic data, job-factor survey, body areas affected and their severity, injury prevention strategies and responses to injury. Results: Among the respondents, 87.23% (n = 41) experienced musculoskeletal symptoms in the past 12 months. The highest prevalence of WMSD among respondents was in the following anatomical areas: lower back (82.98%), upper back (57.45%), and neck (48.94%). Therapists with a severity score of > 3 for WMSD were in the low back (71.79%), hips/thighs (57.14%) and wrist/hands (54.55%). The only specialty area related to WMSD was orthopedics with concurrent increased neck, low back, wrist/hand, knee, upper back, ankle/foot, and thumb symptoms. 88.24% (n = 15) of the identified job-related factors were associated with either upper back or lower back symptoms. Strategies used by therapists (89.36%; n = 42) in response to WMSD included the use of selfprotective behaviors to reduce the work-related strain on their bodies. Discussion and Conclusion: WMSD among PTs working in UST-CRS affiliated centers were highest in the low back, upper back and neck. High severity scores associated to the low back, hips/thighs, and wrist/hands greatly affected their work, ADLs, and leisure. Almost all identified job-related factors were associated with spinal symptoms. Self-protective behaviors were often used by PTs to decrease the risk of WMSD. R e s e a r c h R e p o r t R e s e a r c h R e p o r t Lagman RZ et al: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of physical therapists in UST-CRS affiliated centers