PREVALENCE OF WRIST AND HAND PAIN AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS PRACTICING MANUAL THERAPY TECHNIQUES IN PESHAWAR

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational hazard among healthcare professionals, particularly physical therapists (PTs), due to the physical demands of their profession. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) frequently involve the upper limbs, resulting from repetitive force, sustained loading, and awkward postures during manual therapy. These disorders can impair therapist performance, reduce productivity, and compromise patient care. Understanding the prevalence and contributing factors is essential for developing preventive strategies to safeguard therapists’ health and efficiency.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of wrist and hand pain among physical therapists practicing manual therapy techniques in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 62 licensed physical therapists from six tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, including both public and private institutions. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling and completed a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from validated tools on WRMSDs. Data included demographic characteristics, clinical experience, dominant hand, frequency of manual therapy, and pain patterns. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, applying descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations for relevant variables.

Results: Among 62 respondents, 39 (62.9%) were male and 23 (37.1%) female, with a mean age of 28.3 ± 3.2 years. The overall prevalence of wrist and hand pain was 72.6% (n = 46). Pain was most common in the right hand (61.3%), followed by the left (25.8%) and bilateral involvement (12.9%). The most frequently associated manual therapy techniques were passive range of motion, muscle stretching, and strengthening (46.8%), followed by spinal mobilization (29%) and extremity joint mobilization (19.4%). Approximately 66% reported pain interference with clinical work, and 75% noted worsening symptoms during therapy sessions.

Conclusion: The study identified a high prevalence of wrist and hand pain among physical therapists practicing manual therapy in Peshawar. Repetitive movements, high patient load, and inadequate ergonomic practices were major contributing factors. Implementation of ergonomic training, workload regulation, and early preventive measures is essential to minimize WRMSDs and ensure therapist well-being.