EFFECT OF PREVENTIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY CARE ON WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG DENTAL FRATERNITY

Yeddla Leelavathi*, Rayudu Geetha Mounika and Patchava Apparao

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common in occupations with high risk for dentists due to repetitive movements, heavy lifting, and awkward postures, with a prevalence of 63-93% globally and higher frequency in the Neck region, lower back. The concept of ergonomics was introduced in dentistry to improve working conditions. There is evidence that preventive physiotherapy care as a rehabilitation protocol will be useful for work related MSDs among dentists. However, there is no research comparing the effect of preventive physiotherapy therapy within the pre test and post test. Methods: Survey Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was conducted among the Subjects through google form. The survey included 79 subjects with a mean age of over 22 years having musculoskeletal pain with prevalence in neck, upper & lower back, shoulders, wrist & hands. They received ergonomics, postural correction, self stretches and preventive care explained and illustrated to dentists with regular follow-up up to 6 months. The outcome measures of the intervention were measured in terms of Visual analogue scale for pain, Upper and Lower extremity functional scale for function. Results: Paired ' t' test was used to assess the statistical significance of the pre and post test score for three parameters. Statistical analysis revealed that preventive physiotherapy care showed an improvement in pain and function among dental fraternity with work related MSDs. Conclusion: The present study concluded that preventive physiotherapy care is effective in decreasing pain and improvement of function in dentists with work related Musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: Work related MSDs, Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, Upper extremity functional scale, Lower extremity functional scale, Ergonomics.