Prevalence of Low back pain in Physiotherapists among Emirates Health Services: A cross-sectional Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Low back pain is a prevalent issue among physiotherapists, with nearly 80% experiencing it during their careers1. Key risk factors include prolonged standing, patient lifting, repititive movements, and poor ergonomic satisfaction and leads to increased sick leave and attrition rates.This study aims to explore the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of LBP on physiotherapists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on male and female physiotherapistsaged 30 to 50 years. The Oswestry Low back pain Disability questionnaire was used to access the functional disability related to LBP. The study lasted 6 months. 62.3% of participants experienced Mild LBP while performing work tasks, with 14.3% reporting severe pain during weight lifting. LBP is identified as the most common work-related health issue among physiotherapists, leading to reduced work productivity, absenteeism, and lower health-related quality of life. Female physiotherapists are more susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders due to their body composition. The study recommends improving head-neck and trunk posture, adopting correct manual handling techniques, self-protection strategies, stress management, and reducing prolonged sitting. Policymakers should implement programs to reduce the clinical and economic burden of LBP on healthcare professionals.
DOI: 10.37506/e6tbhz08
Authors: Ajmal Sheriff, Baker Sharafuddin, Aji Gopakumar, Ahammed Jamsheer MP, Yazar Musthafa
Institution: Tawam Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4412678772