Association between shift work and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital physiotherapists
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v83.109142Keywords:
musculoskeletal diseases, shift work, schedule, physical therapist, tertiary healthcare, ColombiaAbstract
Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among physiotherapists and may affect health, quality of life, and work performance.
Objective: To determine the association between shift work and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among physiotherapists from three tertiary hospitals in southwestern Colombia.
Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with 240 physiotherapists. The Spanish version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used, followed by descriptive analyses, comparison tests, and logistic regression adjusted for confounding factors.
Results: The highest prevalence rates were observed in the neck (47.5%) and lower back (47.1%). Among shift workers, prevalence rates were 62.5% and 60.4%, respectively. Shift work was associated with higher odds of neck symptoms (OR = 9.01) and lower-back symptoms (OR = 4.93).
Discussion: The findings were consistent with studies describing a greater musculoskeletal burden among workers exposed to shift schedules and physical demands; however, the magnitude of the observed associations should be interpreted considering the cross-sectional design and self-reported outcomes.
Conclusions: Shift work was associated with cervical and lumbar musculoskeletal symptoms; therefore, work-schedule organization and ergonomic strategies are relevant components of occupational prevention.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Carlos Iván Salazar Villamarín, Clara Ximena Mazabel Cuasquer, Angela Giovana Caicedo Muñoz, Maria Fernanda Ortiz Cabrera, Kelly Doranny Solís Quintero, Mary Cielo Vivas Quiñones
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