Musculoskeletal Disorders and Work Efficiency of Physiotherapists

Abstract

Uvod: Poremećaji mišićno-koštanog sustava opisuju širok spektar upalnih i degenerativnih poremećaja koji su iznimno praćeni, bolom, nelagodom i izazivaju smetnje tijekom obavljanja svakodnevnih kako privatnih tako i poslovnih obaveza. Sami fizioterapeuti imaju veliku predispoziciju za razvoj jednog od poremećaja mišićno-koštanog sustava, zbog prirode posla koji može biti izrazito težak i naporan, a uključuje, konstantne ponavljajuće pokrete, manualne tehnike, transfer pacijenta, a samim time i zauzimanje neugodnog i neprirodnog položaja zbog veće kvalitete terapije. Cilj: Analizirati status mišićno-koštanog sustava i radne učinkovitosti fizioterapeuta u Republici Hrvatskoj s najmanje pet godina radnog iskustva u struci. Materijali i metode: U svrhu istraživanja korištena je anketa napravljena pomoću Google Forms alata koja se sastojala od nekoliko dijelova. Prvi dio ankete sadržava socio-demografske podatke (dob, spol, radno iskustvo), antropometrijske podatke (tjelesna visina i težina), obrazovne podatke (stručna sprema), a u drugom dijelu upitnika pitanja su prilagođena iz nordijskog upitnika za mišićno-koštane probleme engl. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire-NMQ. Anketa je distribuirana pomoću Facebook grupa u kojima se nalaze fizioterapijski djelatnici. Rezultati: U istraživanju je sudjelovalo ukupno 137 fizioterapeuta s najmanje pet godina radnog iskustva u Republici Hrvatskoj. Od ukupnog broja sudionika, 106 su bile žene (77,4 %), a 31 muškarac (22,6 %). Najzastupljenija dobna skupina bila je 35–40 godina, koju je navelo 34 ispitanika (24,8 %). S obzirom na radni staž, najveći broj sudionika (67 ispitanika; 48,9 %) imao je između 5 i 10 godina radnog iskustva. Mišićno-koštane tegobe pokazale su se kao čest problem u ovoj populaciji. Bolove u tijelu prijavilo je 52 ispitanika (38 %), dok je 21,2 % sudionika navelo da su bolovi u donjem dijelu leđa utjecali na njihovu sposobnost obavljanja svakodnevnih aktivnosti. Nadalje, više od polovice ispitanika (51,8 %) smatra da mišićno-koštani poremećaji imaju negativan utjecaj na kvalitetu svakodnevnog života, što ukazuje na širi zdravstveno-društveni značaj ovog problema. Zaključak: Istraživanje je pokazalo da značajan broj fizioterapeuta osjeća bol, ukočenost i nelagodu, ponajviše u donjem dijelu leđa, vratu i ramenima. Ti simptomi negativno utječu na profesionalni i privatni život ispitanika. Istaknuta je važnost prevencije, edukacije o pravilnom kretanju, korištenja ergonomske opreme te prilagodbe radnog mjesta. Rano prepoznavanje simptoma i pravodobna intervencija ključni su za očuvanje zdravlja i radne sposobnosti fizioterapeuta.Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) encompass a broad spectrum of inflammatory and degenerative conditions frequently accompanied by pain, discomfort, and limitations in performing daily activities—both personal and professional. Due to the physically demanding nature of their work, physiotherapists are particularly susceptible to developing MSDs. Their professional duties often involve repetitive movements, manual therapy techniques, patient transfers, and the adoption of awkward or non-ergonomic postures to ensure effective therapeutic outcomes. Objective: To assess the musculoskeletal health status and work efficiency of physiotherapists in the Republic of Croatia with a minimum of five years of professional experience. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire developed via Google Forms. The instrument consisted of multiple sections. The first part gathered socio-demographic data (age, gender, work experience), anthropometric data (height, weight), and educational background (level of professional qualification). The second section included items adapted from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), a validated tool for assessing musculoskeletal symptoms. The questionnaire was disseminated via Facebook groups targeting licensed physiotherapists. Results: A total of 137 physiotherapists with at least five years of professional experience in Croatia participated in the study. Of these, 106 (77.4%) were female, and 31 (22.6%) were male. The most represented age group was 35–40 years, reported by 34 participants (24.8%). Regarding work experience, 67 respondents (48.9%) had between 5 and 10 years of clinical practice. Musculoskeletal symptoms were prevalent among the participants. Fifty-two respondents (38%) reported general bodily pain, while 21.2% indicated that low back pain impaired their ability to perform daily tasks. Moreover, 51.8% of participants stated that musculoskeletal disorders negatively affect their quality of life, highlighting the broader occupational and public health relevance of the issue. Conclusion: The findings indicate that a substantial proportion of physiotherapists experience pain, stiffness, and discomfort, most commonly in the lower back, neck, and shoulders. These symptoms have a demonstrably negative impact on both professional performance and personal well-being. The results underscore the necessity of preventive strategies, including education on proper movement mechanics, the use of ergonomic equipment, and workplace modifications. Early detection and timely intervention are critical to preserving the health and functional capacity of physiotherapists