Volume 9, Issue 1 (Continuously Updated- In press 2026)
Func Disabil J 2026, 9(1): 0-0 |
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Barati M, Namiranian K, Zibaei M J, Haddadi J, Taghipour M. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Physiotherapists in Mazandaran Province: A Cross-Sectional Study. Func Disabil J 2026; 9 (1)
URL: http://fdj.iums.ac.ir/article-1-342-en.html
URL: http://fdj.iums.ac.ir/article-1-342-en.html
Mostafa Barati1 
, Kiarash Namiranian2 , Mohammad Jafar Zibaei3 , Javad Haddadi4 , Mohammad Taghipour *5
, Kiarash Namiranian2 , Mohammad Jafar Zibaei3 , Javad Haddadi4 , Mohammad Taghipour *5
1- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
5- Mobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran ,taghipour@mubabol.ac.ir
2- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
5- Mobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran ,
Abstract: (26 Views)
Background and Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most prevalent occupational health problems in healthcare professionals, particularly physiotherapists. Due to their frequent exposure to biomechanical stresses during manual therapy and patient handling, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of 12-month MSDs among physiotherapists in Mazandaran Province, Iran.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 physiotherapists in Mazandaran Province, of whom 101 met the inclusion criteria and completed valid questionnaires. Data were collected using the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and analyzed via SPSS version 24 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t-tests.
Results: Of the 101 participants, 64 (63.4%) were female and 37 (36.6%) were male. The mean age was 31.1 ± 8.3 years for females and 36.9 ± 11.1 years for males. The highest prevalence of MSDs was observed in the neck (60.4%), followed by the low back (53.5%), upper back (41.6%), and shoulder (39.6%), while the lowest prevalence occurred in the ankle/foot (4%). There were no significant associations between the prevalence of MSDs and gender, education level, or hand dominance. Wrist pain was the only region showing a significant increase with age (p = 0.014).
Conclusion: The prevalence of MSDs is high among physiotherapists in Mazandaran, particularly in the spinal and upper-limb regions. These findings highlight the need for ergonomic interventions, preventive education, and occupational health strategies to reduce work-related MSDs in physiotherapists.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 physiotherapists in Mazandaran Province, of whom 101 met the inclusion criteria and completed valid questionnaires. Data were collected using the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and analyzed via SPSS version 24 using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t-tests.
Results: Of the 101 participants, 64 (63.4%) were female and 37 (36.6%) were male. The mean age was 31.1 ± 8.3 years for females and 36.9 ± 11.1 years for males. The highest prevalence of MSDs was observed in the neck (60.4%), followed by the low back (53.5%), upper back (41.6%), and shoulder (39.6%), while the lowest prevalence occurred in the ankle/foot (4%). There were no significant associations between the prevalence of MSDs and gender, education level, or hand dominance. Wrist pain was the only region showing a significant increase with age (p = 0.014).
Conclusion: The prevalence of MSDs is high among physiotherapists in Mazandaran, particularly in the spinal and upper-limb regions. These findings highlight the need for ergonomic interventions, preventive education, and occupational health strategies to reduce work-related MSDs in physiotherapists.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Physiotherapy
Received: 2025/10/28 | Accepted: 2025/12/8 | Published: 2026/03/11
Received: 2025/10/28 | Accepted: 2025/12/8 | Published: 2026/03/11
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All the work in this journal are licensed under a Creative Commons
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INTERNATIONAL International License.