title: Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health professions like dentistry, nursing and physical therapy have been reported at high risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Results of studies conducted in these occupational groups may help formulate prevention strategies. However, no such data among physical therapists has been reported in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an online survey among 100 physiotherapists in Delhi.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 75%. The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is found to be high since 92% of them reported to feel some pain after joining physical therapy which affects daily activities and even sometimes forces them to change their work. Physical therapists specialty, gender, furniture used in clinic and duration of patient contact are found to be related to the pain development (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We need to emphasize the role of ergonomics and techniques of patient handling in development of work-related pain symptoms.
authors.affiliation: King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rehabilitation Research Chair). z_iqbal001@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Zaheen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rehabilitation Research Chair). aalghadir@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alghadir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work
keywords: India; physical therapists; risk factors; work-related musculoskeletal disorders