Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapist

OBJECTIVE A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure work-related injuries among physiotherapists and occupational therapist to find out the susceptibility of work related musculoskeletal disorders in occupational therapy and physical therapy professionals in India and to study the incidence rate of Work related musculoskeletal disorders in OTs and Pts and to identify the risk factors that results in a work related injury. METHODS Self-administered questionnaires was developed using two published instruments previously used with physical therapists {Holder et al. (1999)& Campo et al. (2008) }. The questionnaire had 19 items that covered demographic information, areas of musculoskeletal problems and physiotherapy techniques that could contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 16software. RESULTS& CONCLUSION The result of this study indicates that occupational therapists and physical therapists are at a significant risk of WRI and of developing WMSDs.60.78 % of individuals reported WRIs and the incidence rate for WMSD was found to be 35.29 %. The results of this study showed that low back is the most susceptible area of injury followed by the neck region.