Musculoskeletal Disorders In Nurses Research Articles

Use of Patient Transfer Aids to Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses in the Emergency Department: Literature Reviews

Introduction: Nurses in emergency installations have a job that has a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to their workload. An activity that is often carried out by nurses is transferring patients, where this activity has the potential risk of increasing physical burden and musculoskeletal injuries on nurses. The effort to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses is by using patient transfer aids. The aim of this study is to determine the use of patient transfer aids to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses in the emergency department. Method: The method used is a literature review with six databases (Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, CINAHL, ProQuest, and PubMed) in January 2024. Research design inclusion criteria in this study include cohort studies, case reports, research and development, RCTs, descriptive correlational studies, and experimental studies. Articles published in 2017–2023 in English involving a population of nurses and/or health workers who carry out patient transfers. Data analysis was carried out using the researcher's critical thinking and PRISMA. Results: The use of patient transfer aids will reduce nurses' workload and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Various types of patient transfer aids can be used, such as sliding sheets or slides, friction-reduction sheets, glide sheets, ergonomic belts, air-assisted transfer devices, lift velocities, motorized patient transfer devices, and prototype patient transfer aids. Conclusion: Patient transfer aids can significantly reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses in the emergency department.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among nurses of Jinnah Hospital Lahore

Introduction: Nursing is a professionally challenging and stressful job and nurses are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among nurses of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, which was selected using a convenient sampling technique. A questionnaire comprised of demographic data, risk factors, psychological factors and the Nordic scale, was distributed among 100 nurses. One hundred nurses returned a filled questionnaire response rate of 100 percent. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistics IBM 23. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore was eighty four percent and the most common site being the lower back 69% followed by shoulders 64%, neck 60% and ankle 56%. Married and morning shift nurses were more prone to MSDs and seventy percent of them were between the age limit of 21 to 30 years. Psychological factors affecting nurses are overburdening (91%), having less break periods (87%) and poor working environment (77%). Standing position (93%), Repetition of work (84%) and holding patients while shifting patients (55%) are the most important risk factors. Conclusions: A high proportion of nurses reported MSDs at some body sites in their occupational life with lower back injuries the most. Education programs on prevention of musculoskeletal disorders are recommended for nurses in order to reduce the risk of MSDs and promote patients care.

The Effect of Interventions on Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries Related to Nurses Work: Systematic Review.

The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to work (MDRW) in nurses rests between 71.8% to 84%, so it is urgent to develop preventive intervention programs with the purpose of avoiding negative physical, psychological, socioeconomic, and working aspects. There are several intervention programs aimed at preventing musculoskeletal disorders related to work for nurses, but few have successfully proven results. Despite the evidence pointing to the benefits of multidimensional intervention programs, it is essential to determine which interventions have positive effects on the prevention of this kind of disorder to create an effective intervention plan. This review intends to identify the different interventions adopted in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders related to work in nurses and to compare the effectiveness of these interventions, providing the appropriate and scientific basis for building an intervention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in nurses. This Systematic Review was guided by the research question, "What are the effects of musculoskeletal disorders preventive interventions on nursing practice?" and carried out in different databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, and Science Direct). Later, the results were submitted to the eligibility criteria, the appraisal quality of the papers, and the data synthesis was performed. 13 articles were identified for analysis. The interventions implemented to control the risk were: training patient-handling devices; ergonomics education; involving the management chain; handling protocol/algorithms; acquiring ergonomics equipment; and no-manual lifting. The studies associated two or more interventions, the majority of which (11 studies) were training-handling devices and ergonomics education, therefore emerging as the most effective instruments in the prevention of MDRW. The studies did not associate interventions that cover all risk factors (individual, associated with the nature of the work, organizational, and psychological aspects). This systematic review can help with making recommendations for other studies that should associate organizational measures and prevention policies with physical exercise and other measures aimed at individual and psychosocial risk factors.

Effect of anthropometric and demographic factors on musculoskeletal disorders in nurses' aides.

Nurses' aides usually face various stressors, making them prone to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study evaluates the effect of ergonomic and anthropometric indices, postural risk, and demographic variables on MSDs in nurses' aides. Demographic variables, anthropometric dimensions, postural risk level (RL), and related percentiles of 75 nurses' aides were examined using Quick Exposure Check (QEC) software, caliper, and body map questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficient, univariate and multivariate tests were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the RL of QEC in both groups of males and females was 73.67±22.34 (RL = 4) and 65.34±18.38 (RL = 3), respectively. The level of MSDs in the lumbar, thigh, and leg areas was higher than in other areas. Also, increasing age and work experience, and BMI were significantly associated with increasing disorders in the hands, wrists, and shoulders, respectively (P < 0.05). The results showed that an increase in some anthropometric indices such as body height, buttock, knee, popliteal height, abdomen depth, standing grip access limit, sitting grip access limit increased disorders in the hands and wrists. Also, MSDs were predicted in different areas of the nurses' aides' bodies using regression models, which was significant in the hands, wrists, elbows, legs, and shoulders (P < 0.05). The results showed that there was a significant difference between male and female nurses in most aspects of anthropometry and the risk level of QEC. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to anthropometric dimensions, and demographic diversity to design tools and workstations.

Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses in Hospitals

Background Healthcare is a sector with a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The work of nurses in a hospital is associated with stress, prolonged work, uncomfortable working postures, bending and twisting of the body and etc.&#x0D; Aim: To identify the risk factors for the frequency and localization of musculoskeletal complaints and diagnosed diseases of the musculoskeletal system in nurses in hospitals.&#x0D; Methods: The study is cross-sectional and comprised 1412 nurses female nurses from 19 hospitals in Sofia having an average age of 50.3±9.9 years. An ergonomic analysis of workplaces in hospitals was made. A survey was conducted in relation to the workplace, the workload, the working posture and movements; Standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms were used, BMI. Information on musculoskeletal diseases diagnosed by a doctor was collected with Work ability index (WAI). The statistical analyses were made using SPSS.&#x0D; Results: The frequency of musculoskeletal complaints is high, complaints in the lower back being in the lead with 74.2%, followed by the back, neck and shoulders. A musculoskeletal disorder, diagnosed by a doctor, occurs in 35.6% of the individuals. Widespread is the prolonged work in a standing position, awkward working postures, bending, twisting and stretching. The data from the regression analysis show that the work with bending, twisting and stretching, prolonged work in a standing position and BMI are predictors of musculoskeletal complaints.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results indicate lack of good workplace organisation and equipment. The activity involves prolonged work in a standing position, awkward working postures and work with bending and twisting of the body. High is the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and the undergone treatment related to them.&#x0D; Key words: musculoskeletal disorders, workplace, working postures, nurses, hospitals.

Assessing the Work Activities Related to Musculoskeletal Disorder among Critical Care Nurses.

Nurses are physically exhausted with an incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), especially those working in critical care units that require exhaustive physical efforts to fulfill patients' needs. The current study aims to assess work activities related to the occurrence of MSDs in nurses working in critical care units. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 100 nurses of critical care units, and the data were collected via a survey questionnaire. The study was conducted at King Fahad University Hospital for three months from February to April 2019. The study findings revealed that work activities related to MSD were associated with sociodemographic data, age, and neck pain (rho = 0.063) (p=0.03) and lower back pain (rho = 0.89) (p=0.03); education level with hip/thigh pain (rho = 0.64) (p=0.03); standing time with shoulder pain (rho = 0.66) (p=0.04), wrist/hand pain (rho = −0.75) (p=0.05), hip/thigh pain (rho = −0.78) (p=0.004), and knee pain (rho = −0.77) (p=0.005). An increased prevalence of MSDs with lower back pain (92%) and upper back pain (56%) was estimated among the nurses, and a negative impact of work-related MSDs on occupational health and daily life activities of the nurses was also observed. The study concluded that the occurrence of MSDs is significantly associated with sociodemographic data: age, BMI experience level, and educational level of nurses of critical care units.

Pilot Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Adult ICU Nurses Versus Neonatal ICU Nurses in the United States

ObjectivesThe purpose of this pilot descriptive survey was to evaluate occupation-related MSDs in nurses in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) compared to those in neonatal intensive care unit nurses (NICU).BackgroundNursing research has focused on heavy patient handling however; there is a gap in the literature that examines musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among neonatal intensive care nursesMethodsThe survey utilized Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. This survey was disseminated to members of Academy of Neonatal Nursing and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. It was a convenience sample but with low response rate. The inclusion criteria consisted of critical care nurses working or have worked full time.ResultsA total of 38 responders completed the survey. General demographics among groups were similar. Risk factors for MSDs in each group were similar with the exception of a history of depression which was more common among NICU nurses, (p = .0052). Knee problems seem more common among adult ICU nurses, (p = .0002). Ankle/foot problems seem more common among NICU nurses, (p = .0202). Sixty-three percent of adult ICU nurses reported that MSDs were definitely related to work versus, 47.4% of NICU nurses.ConclusionBoth groups of nurses experienced MSDs, with adults experiencing lower extremity MSDs and NICU nurses experiencing upper extremity MSDs. These pilot results need to be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Depression, stress, and ethical dilemmas were more prevalent in the NICU nurses which may a contributing factor for MSDs Both groups expresses a need for additional staffing and a need for improving the quality of work/life issues.

Determining the Efficiency of Ergonomic Belt During Patient Handling and its Effect on Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses.

IntroductionNursing personnel are always at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and patient transportation is one of the major risk factor for these disorders.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the ergonomic belt to improve patient transferring conditions.MethodsThe subjects included 60 health care workers (HCW) of a hospital with patient transfer experience. The ergonomic belt was examined to help move the patient from one bed to another. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was assessed through the Nordic questionnaire, the degree of perceived exertion through the Borg criterion, and the patient's movement through the MAPO index before and after the intervention.ResultsThe results showed a significant decrease in Borg scale scores and MAPO index in two factors of education and auxiliary tools and overall scores of this index. We also saw a significant reduction in musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulders and arms, waist, hands and wrists, thighs, knees and legs. There were no significant differences in the elbow and forearm before and after using the ergonomic belt.ConclusionIn general, it can be concluded that the use of ergonomic belt had helped to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, as well as reducing the perceived exertion of nurses and other relevant personnel.

Acceptability of Using a Robotic Nursing Assistant in Health Care Environments: Experimental Pilot Study.

BackgroundAccording to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses will be the largest labor pool in the United States by 2022, and more than 1.1 million nursing positions have to be filled by then in order to avoid a nursing shortage. In addition, the incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses is above average in comparison with other occupations. Robot-assisted health care has the potential to alleviate the nursing shortage by automating mundane and routine nursing tasks. Furthermore, robots in health care environments may assist with safe patient mobility and handling and may thereby reduce the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders.ObjectiveThis pilot study investigates the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness (acceptability) of a customized service robot as determined by nursing students (as proxies for nursing staff in health care environments). This service robot, referred to as the Adaptive Robotic Nurse Assistant (ARNA), was developed to enhance the productivity of nurses through cooperation during physical tasks (eg, patient walking, item fetching, object delivery) as well as nonphysical tasks (eg, patient observation and feedback). This pilot study evaluated the acceptability of ARNA to provide ambulatory assistance to patients.MethodsWe conducted a trial with 24 participants to collect data and address the following research question: Is the use of ARNA as an ambulatory assistive device for patients acceptable to nurses? The experiments were conducted in a simulated hospital environment. Nursing students (as proxies for nursing staff) were grouped in dyads, with one participant serving as a nurse and the other acting as a patient. Two questionnaires were developed and administrated to the participants based on the Technology Acceptance Model with respect to the two subscales of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use metrics. In order to evaluate the internal consistency/reliability of the questionnaires, we calculated Cronbach alpha coefficients. Furthermore, statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the relation of each variable in the questionnaires with the overall perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use metrics.ResultsBoth Cronbach alpha values were acceptably high (.93 and .82 for perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use questionnaires, respectively), indicating high internal consistency of the questionnaires. The correlation between the variables and the overall perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use metrics was moderate. The average perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use metrics among the participants were 4.13 and 5.42, respectively, out of possible score of 7, indicating a higher-than-average acceptability of this service robot.ConclusionsThe results served to identify factors that could affect nurses’ acceptance of ARNA and aspects needing improvement (eg, flexibility, ease of operation, and autonomy level).

Gambaran Gangguan Muskoloskeletal pada Perawat

Most of the health workers are nursing staff, nursing profession demands high physical activity ranks second after industrial workers. Musculoskeletal disorders often occur in health workers, nurses have a higher risk of experiencing the disorder. Musculoskeletal disorders are disorders that occur in the muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels, nervous system, and other soft tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine the picture of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses in General Hospital. Dr. M. Djamil Padang. Research Methods: The method used in this research is descriptive. The number of samples in this study were 132 people. The sample selection in this study was the proportional random sampling method. The results showed that more than half (81.1%) nurses experienced musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders complained of body parts: shoulders 49.2%, neck and lower back 41.7%, and upper back 32.6%. It is expected that nurses can identify the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders due to work and immediately report to management for further prevention.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Nurses are considered the group of healthcare workers with the highest prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMDs). The most common physical demands of nursing that have been found to contribute to WRMDs include lifting, working in awkward postures, stooping, and repetitive actions. Occupational therapists (OT) have a significant role in preventing WRMDs. The purpose of this study was to explore that magnitude of the WRMDs among nurses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Exploring the role of OT in increasing awareness and prevention of WRMDs among nurses. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional questionnaire design. Data was collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Nurses at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, KSA, were the target of this study. Ninety-four nurses participated in this study. Most of them (63.8%) indicated that they experienced discomfort during the last 12 months in their lower back, followed by shoulders (50%), and upper back (48.9%). Twenty-four (25.5%) of the participants who indicated experiencing low back discomfort, also indicated that this discomfort reduced their work activity, and this same number indicated that the discomfort reduced their leisure activity. Nurses are at high risk for WRMDs. Occupational therapists have an important role to play in prevention. Measures should be taken by hospital administrators, the rehabilitation departments, as well as the nurses themselves to manage this global problem. Special measures should be implemented to make sure that they work in ergonomically appropriate environment, and implement proper body mechanics to limit their chances of encountering WRMDs.

Ergonomic risk factors and risk exposure level of nursing tasks: association with work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses

Objectives To identify the risk exposure level of nursing tasks and explore the association with ergonomic factors such as biomechanical, organisational, psychosocial, and environmental job factors. Also, the association among the risk exposure level of nursing tasks among nurses with the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), activity limitation, and physician visits for the past 12 months were analysed. Methods In phase one, 68 registered nurses (median age: 33.5 years, females: 89.70%, males: 10.20%) completed the standardised Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) and ErgoEnf questionnaire on ergonomic risk factors. In phase two, 25 participants were observed at inpatient care using the workplace ergonomic risk assessment tool (WERA) to profile the risk exposure levels during nursing tasks. Results In the patient repositioning task, 24% of the nurses scored low, 76% scored medium-risk exposure level, and none of the nurses obtained a high-risk exposure level. Biomechanical, environmental, and organisational factors were significantly associated with risk exposure levels (p < .05), while no association was found with the psychosocial factors. Conclusions This study showed a significant association between nursing task-specific risk-exposure scores, ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of WMDs. The risk exposure scores were significantly associated with the reported WMSDs of the lower back, neck, and hip/thigh regions; these prevented normal activities at least once in the last 12 months. Possible interventions are discussed in the realms of human factors framework.

Modeling of Occupational Risk Factors in the Development of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses

Background: musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common occupational diseases in hospital staff. Factors that are effective on the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders can point to stress and job satisfaction and unsuitable postures. By regarding the key role of nursing staff in hospitals in giving health services, this study has been done with the aim of the survey about the relationship between stress amount and job satisfaction with musculoskeletal disorders in nurses. Methods: This analytical description study had been done in the year 2017, accidentally between 140 persons, 90 of available nurses that during sampling were in the nursing station of one of Tehran hospitals. For data collection one used standard questionnaire composed of demographic information and job information about musculoskeletal disorders, satisfaction, and job stress. Also for finding the relationship between variables one used correlation test, multivariate linear regression and independent t-test by SPSS20 Software. Results: Results shows that one of the biggest postures adopted by nurses is waist bending that the result of that is a pain in the lower part of the waist. By doing multivariate linear regression in SPSS20, a model for prediction pain in the lower part results from waist bending gained. Between job stress and job postures, there have been seen a significant relationship (P&lt;0/05) in this test there was no significant relationship between job satisfaction and job postures. Conclusion: Extra physical activities lead to unsuitable and repetitive postures in nurses that are one of the most important factors in creating job stress in nurses. For decreasing coming stress to staff, they should give information and needed knowledge about correct posture adoption to everyone.

The associations of work style and physical exercise with the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in nurses, and to explore the association of work style and physical exercise with WMSD in this professional group. In this study, a cross-sectional survey design was applied. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 692 nurses in 5 municipal hospitals, in the period August-October 2015. The survey included personal information, lifestyle, physical exercise and symptoms of WMSD. Chi2 test and logistic regression were used to identify the risk factors of WMSD. The prevalence of WMSD was 84% in all parts of the body in the previous year, with the highest prevalence in the neck (68.2%), followed by waist (67.6%) and shoulder (54.6%). Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that physical exercise, night shifts and staying up late were associated with WMSD in nurses. The lack of exercise, night shifts and a tendency to stay up significantly increased the risk of WMSD (p < 0.05). The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the municipal hospital nursing staff is high. An elevated risk of WMSD is observed in nurses who do not do exercises, work shifts and stay up late. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):15-24.

The Effect of Body Posture Correction on Pain of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses of Intensive Care Unit

The Effect of Body Posture Correction on Pain of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses of Intensive Care Unit

Meta-analysis of the prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in operation room nurses in China

Objective To understand the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases among nurses in operation rooms in China, and to provide reference for their treatment and prevention. Methods CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) , VIP (China Science and Technology Journal Database) , Wangfang Data Knowledge service platform, CMB disc (China Biology Medicine disc) , PubMed, Web of Science and other databases are searched by computer. The searching time is limited to the 31st of December 2017. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the selected and excluded criteria. The authors, publishing time, total sample size, number of patients and morbidity of the literature were extracted. The quality of the selected literature was evaluated by the evaluation criteria of descriptive study of JBI Evidence-based Health Care Center in Australia. Meta analysis was performed by Stata 14.0 software. Results Totally 10 studies were retrieved, including 3 A Class and 7 B Class, and 2 374 samples were include. Results of Meta-analysis showed that the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses in the operation room was 87% (95%CI: 83.0%-91.0%) . The prevalence of waist was the highest (73%, 95%CI: 68%-77%) , followed by neck prevalence (66%, 95%CI: 57%-76%) and shoulder joint morbidity (57%, 95%CI: 49%-66%) . The results of subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of musculoskeletal disease in operation room nurses increased with the age of nurses and working years. The prevalence rate in nurses working longer than 8 hours per day was 92% (95%CI: 89%-95%) , which was higher than that in nurses working less than 8 hours per day by 79% (95%CI: 72%-85%) . The prevalence rate of night shift nurses was 84%, (95%CI: 74%-93%) , which was significantly higher than that of nurses who did not work at night shift (95%CI: 50%-86%) . Conclusions The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disease in operation room nurses in China is high. The morbidity of musculoskeletal diseases in waist, neck and shoulder is the highest. Older age, longer working years, daily nursing working hours and whether to take part in night shift work are the high risk factors. Key words: Meta-analysis; Operation Room; Nurses; Occupational diseases; Prevalence; Work-related musculoskeletal disorders

HUBUNGAN PENGETAHUAN TENTANG SIKAP ERGONOMI DENGAN GANGGUAN MUSCULOSKELETAL PADA PERAWAT

Tingginya mobilitas kerja dan kurangnya pengetahuan tentang ilmu ergonomi beresiko tinggi menyebabkan gangguan muskuloskeletal pada perawat. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengetahuan tentang sikap ergonomi dengan gangguan musculoskeletal pada perawat Kamar Bedah, Instalasi Gawat Darurat, ICU, dan ICCU Rumah Sakit Husada Jakarta. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian deskriptif korelatif. Sampel penelitian ini sebanyak 83 orang. Hasil penelitian menunjukan p-value 0,001 artinya terdapat hubungan antara pengetahuan tentang sikap ergonomi dengan gangguan musculoskeletal pada perawat. Diharapkan perawat Kamar Bedah, Instalasi Gawat Darurat, ICU, dan ICCU dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan mengenai ergonomi sehingga tercipta kualitas kerja dan hidup yang tinggi, menurunya angka kesakitan akibat kerja dan kecelakaan kerja serta terciptanya rasa nyaman dalam bekerja.

Investigating prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Iranian nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionMusculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common and costly occupational injuries. Nursing profession, considering the nature of the work, is one of the occupations in hospital in which work-related musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent. This review study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Iranian nurses. Materials and methodsThe present study was conducted on the basis of the PRISMA checklist for systematic review and meta-analysis. To access eligible articles, domestic and foreign databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, PUBMED, Magiran, SID, Medlib Irandoc, and the Google scholar search engine and keywords of musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics, nurses, and Iran were used. In this review, two researchers reviewed the relevant articles published from 2000 to 2017. At first, 1349 papers were entered but finally, 33 eligible articles were analyzed. Data analysis was carried out using STATA software (ver. 11.5). FindingsThe results of the review of 33 eligible articles showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain in nurses were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.83–0.95) and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.60–0.61) respectively. ConclusionThe results of the previous studies revealed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain in nurses, is high. Therefore, planning and intervention should be performed to prevent and reduce musculoskeletal disorders in nurses.

Evaluation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses: A systematic review

Nurses exposure many risk factors in the hospital setting. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is a common health problem between work related disabilities and injuries in nurses. The aim of this review was to examine the prevalence of MSDs in nurses and also summarize risk factors, outcomes, solutions. An electronic search was conducted in Pub Med in January 2017. Publications in the last ten years were researched using the key words: “Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders” and “Nurses”. The initial electronic search identified 111 papers. Some articles were excluded since they were not related to our study topic (7 articles were review, 15 of them were related to the roles of nurses in some musculoskeletal disorders, 14 articles were about nurses who working outside the hospital or new graduated/student, 28 articles addressed work related other health problems, 3 of them were related to hospital ergonomics and risk factors and 7 articles were interventions studies). Three papers were not reached to full text or abstract. The total number of remaining articles was 34 and all of them were included the study. It was considered that reported musculoskeletal disorders in nurses were limited to the past 12 months. It had been found that the prevalence of MSDs varied between 33.0% and 88.0%. The most commonly affected body regions were lower back, shoulder, neck, knees, wrists/hands. Lower back pain complaints were found to vary between 49.0% and 84.0%. The findings indicated that the work related musculoskeletal disorders associated with cumulative trauma and repetitive tasks included: lifting, transferring or repositioning, prolonged standing and also awkward postures (stooping, bending and reaching). These work-related health problems in nurses were significantly associated with age, gender, body mass index, ward, shift working and working in a hospital. Studies showed that musculoskeletal disorders were most seen among the operation room nurses and intensive care nurses. Also, MSDs were found to be the main causes of absenteeism, demanding a change of duty or job and visiting a physician. The MSDs was more prevalent occupational health problem among nurses. The prevalence of MSDs was associated with both demographic characteristics of nurses and hospitals’ organizational factors. It was confirmed that making ergonomics interventions could improve the working environment in the hospital.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses working in South African spinal cord rehabilitation units

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses working in South African spinal cord rehabilitation units