Lesões por esforços repetitivos e distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho de fisioterapeutas: revisão sistemática

Abstract

Introduction: Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) are interrelated with work activity and affect individuals in different professions. Physiotherapists are part of this context, as they apply force, move their upper limbs repetitively and remain in unfavorable postures for a prolonged period of time when performing techniques and procedures, thus overloading their structures and predisposing them to the development of RSI/WMSD. Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between occupational illness due to RSI/WMSD in physiotherapists, based on the scientific evidence presented in the specific literature, as well as (1) to identify the area and length of time physiotherapists work; (2) to identify the body segments most affected by RSI/WMSD in physiotherapists; (3) to verify the relationship between RSI/WMSD and gender and age of physiotherapists; (4) to identify the interrelationship between RSI/WMSD and the work activities of physiotherapists. Methodology: The study consisted of a systematic review of incidence and prevalence, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual, comprising the following stages: eligibility criteria, search strategy, study selection, data extraction, assessment of the methodological quality of the studies included and data analysis. The following databases were used for the search: Web of Science, Medline (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCO) and PEDro, with the controlled descriptors Physical Therapists, Cumulative Trauma Disorders and Occupational Health, combined with the Boolean operators OR and AND. Results: 1,958 studies were identified, after removing duplicates 1,878 were eligible, 62 pieces of evidence were listed for full reading, and 24 studies were included. The study found that physiotherapists are most affected in the spine, especially in the lumbar region, and that some factors are seen as risks for the development of RSI/WMSD, such as female gender, age, length of professional career, repetitive movements, inappropriate postures, orthostatic posture, manual techniques, lifting and transferring patients, number of patients seen per day, more than two jobs, activities carried out in non-ergonomic environments and failure to take preventive action. Final considerations: Preventive actions are important to be included in the work context of these professionals, as well as adjustments, adaptations and ergonomic guidelines. It is therefore suggested that these professionals deepen their knowledge related to self-care, and that work institutions adapt to the actions mentioned above, in addition to, if necessary, broadening their gaze and actions to issues involving the management of the work of these employees, aiming at benefits for both, such as, for example, the reduction of impairments related to RSI/WMSD.