A study of the risk factors and prevalence of the musculoskeletal disorders in massage practitioners
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
Jang, Yuh
DOI
zh-TW
Abstract
Objectives. Massage practitioners are at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to constant movement in awkward positions, and repetitive and forceful use of multiple body parts. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors.
Methods. We randomly selected 161 visually impaired practitioners, who were >18 years old and full-time massage practitioners in the massage centers during 2004. Demographics, musculoskeletal symptoms, and working postures were collected. Analyses included descriptive statistics to describe the year and point prevalence rates and severity; Spearman ρ correlation statistics to test the collinearity among variables, and adjusted ORs and 95% CIs calculated with multivariate backward logistic regression analyses to explore the risk factors of WMSDs among massage practitioners.
Results. Results indicated that 26.1% had swelling and/or deformity in fingers and/or thumbs, and 71.4% had at least one WMSD in 12 months. Prevalence rates were finger or thumb, 50.3%; shoulder, 31.7%; wrist, 28.6%; neck, 25.5%; arm/elbow, 23.6%; and forearm, 20.5%. Risk factors included work duration, hours per day in direct contacts with clients, pulp pinch, age, height of the working table, and working posture. Working duration >20 years had an adjusted OR for finger or thumb 4.0-4.5 with 95%CI 1.5-13.8, client contact >4 hours/day (adjusted OR for finger=3.2, 95%CI=1.3-8.1), and ≤7-kg pulp-pinch strength (adjusted OR for upper extremity=2.9-3.2, 95%CI=1.2-8.3). Adjusted ORs for lower-back symptoms were 3.1 (95%CI=1.3-7.8) and 3.6 (95%CI=1.4-9.6), respectively, for lack of neutral neck posture and for inappropriate working-table height. Working duration >20 years had an adjusted OR for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or de Quervain’s syndrome 2.9-3.5 with 95% CI 1.3-9.1. Adjusted ORs for swelling and/or deformity in fingers and/or thumbs were 3.4 (95%CI=1.3-8.6) and 9.6 (95%CI=2.1-44.3), respectively, for ≤7-kg pulp-pinch strength and for not using whole hand or palm to perform massage.
Conclusions/Recommendations. To our limited knowledge, this study is the first in the world to determine the prevalence and risk factors of WMSDs in massage practitioners who are visually impaired. Although massage practitioners are knowledgeable in the prevention and relief pain, they are susceptible to WMSDs because of their awkward positions and repetitive and forceful motion in all body regions. It indicates the necessity of a more comprehensive biomechanical analysis for the dynamic movements in massage. Moreover, longitudinal studies enrolling professionals when they begin their massage practice are recommended to improve our understanding of the risk factors and predictors of WMSDs and to establish their cause-and-effect relationships. Further research is needed to develop intervention methods to reduce the risk of WMSDs in massage practice.
In addition to prevent WMSDs in massage practice, results in this study could be also used in vocational evaluation for job placement of people with visual impairment. Working Posture Questionnaire could be used in checking and correcting the working postures of the massage practitioners to prevent WMSDs.
Subjects
肌肉骨骼疾病
危害因子
盛行率
工作姿勢
按摩從業人員
musculoskeletal disorder
risk factor
prevalence
working posture
massage
Type
thesis
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