Abstract
Background: Physical and occupational therapy professions are perceived as physically demanding. Occupational positions, patients handling techniques and therapeutic applications may result in job-related and postural stresses. Objectives: The research aimed at identifying the musculoskeletal disorders reported by physical and occupational therapists in the region of Jeddah and the relation to the level of Over-commitment and work factors. Demographic variables, productivity and job stress were studied in correlation with the musculoskeletal problems expressed by the therapists. Methods: A cross sectional survey approach by questionnaire identified the musculoskeletal disorders and related Effort-Reward Imbalance and over-commitment amongst therapists in various physical rehabilitation departments of public, profit making and teaching hospitals. Results: Results indicated that 50.6 % of the surveyed staff (N = 166) reported to experience physical stress related to their work and whilst 39 % of the staff claimed to suffer from physical symptoms regularly after their working day. It was found that 56.6 % of the staff felt their symptoms were proportional with the workload intensity and severe enough to force them to take time off work. The main work-related complaints were back, neck and shoulder pain and for 25 % of the staff myalgia in different areas of the body. Complaints were significantly correlated to the Over-commitment score and to the number of patients treated when associated to absences from work. The incidence of the musculoskeletal problems appeared higher amongst males and in teaching and private rehabilitation departments. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders expressed by rehabilitation staff in the area of Jeddah appeared to be strongly related to the level of Over-commitment in work. The work-related complaints varied according to gender, age and hospital type. The main symptoms were back pain and generalized myalgia which were severe enough to lead to sick leave and medical consultations. The prevention of exaggerated efforts at work and recognition of the hardship related to the professional occupation could be emphasized in management strategies of physical rehabilitation services. [Isabelle C.N. Devreux, Bahjat Al-Awa, Khaled Mamdouh, Enas Elsayed. Relation of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Over-commitment of Rehabilitation Staff in Saudi Arabia. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):781-785]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 111