ABSTRACT

Objective : This study was performed to determine the workplace risks for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in occupational and physical therapists and to investigate the effects of preventive activities for MSD based on their pain and job stress. Methods : This study was conducted using 21 occupational and physical therapists working at C hospital in C city, Gyeongnam province, from May to July, 2010. A Quick Exposure Checklist (QEC) was performed to determine the workplace risks, and an 8-week program of activities for preventing MSD was then introduced. Changes for pain and stress level before and after the preventive program were recorded using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), respectively. Results : QEC showed that the working environment of therapists needs to be improved. There was a statistically significant decrease in the scores of VAS and KOSS after undergoing the preventive program (p<.05). There was also a significant correlation between the change in pain and change in stress (r=.859,p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed that the preventive activities for MSD, based on a working environment analysis, are effective for a reduction of work-related pain and stress of occupational and physical therapists, and suggests the use of preventive programs in the workplace.