Date of Completion

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

ergonomic, musculoskeletal Pain

Abstract

This cross-sectional epidemiologic study investigated the association between ergonomic risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal pain, particularly among physical therapists within selected hospitals in Cavite. Full-time physical therapists with at least 1 year or more direct physical contact with patients and who work within hospitals in Cavite were included in this study. Data were collected from 45 physical therapists through an online survey via the Google Forms platform. Overall, the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, odds ratio, and Fisher's Exact Test. The findings revealed that the low back (79.5%) was the most affected by work-related musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists in Cavite. The pain intensity across the nine body regions assessed was moderate (PS 4-7/10), and most physical therapists perceived their pain as often present. The typical onset and duration of pain in all the nine body regions were gradual and persisted for 1 week.

Meanwhile, the top three common ergonomic risk factors experienced by the physical therapists were repetition, static work posture, and use of maximal force. Moreover, with or without current work-related musculoskeletal pain, physical therapists have a high risk of presenting work-related musculoskeletal pain in ergonomic risk factors assessment. The odds of obtaining work-related musculoskeletal pain are 3.7 times greater among those physical therapists exposed to multiple ergonomic risk factors than those who are not. However, Fisher’s Exact Test p-value of 0.145 revealed that ergonomic risk factors, in general, are not significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal pain. Nonetheless, a significant association was noted between the ergonomic risk factor of static work posture and work-related musculoskeletal pain, as shown by the p-value of 0.03. Additionally, it was further confirmed by the odds ratio that static work posture is a significant risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists in Cavite.

First Advisor

Louise Sharmaine R. Garcia

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