Musculoskeletal Risk to Physical Therapists during Overground Gait Training

Abstract

Background: Physical therapists have a disproportionately high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) that may be attributed to the substantial physical support and facilitation they provide during physical rehabilitation. Over the last decade, safety efforts have focused primarily on patients. To decrease the incidence and prevalence of WMSDs, health and safety hazards affecting physical therapists need to be addressed. Method: Two semi-quantitative ergonomic assessment tools, the rapid entire body assessment (REBA) and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA), were used to evaluate a physical therapist’s posture during three overground gait training sessions, which included three sit-to-stand transfers. The tools stratified the therapist’s posture into a WMSD risk level and accompanying action level. Results: The REBA stratified the therapist’s posture into the very high risk level, implement change now during the sit-to-stand transfer and high risk level, investigate and implement change soon during overground gait. The RULA stratified the therapist’s posture into action level 4, investigate and implement change immediately for both the sit-to-stand transfer and overground gait. Conclusion: Physical therapists are at high risk for WMSDs while performing sit-to-stand transfers and overground gait training. Urgent implementation of engineering and administrative controls is needed to reduce the risk of injury for physical therapists.