Sports Science and Ergonomics Division, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Paholyotin Rd, Muang Ake, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Phramongkutklao General Hospital, 315 Rajvithi Rd, Bangkok, Thailand.
J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020 Jan;24(1):253-262. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.05.033. Epub 2019 Jun 6.
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the physiological response of physical therapists to compare the physiological workload within three groups of varying work experience and their comparative physiological responses during a 15-min recovery period.
Thirty therapists participated in the present study. They were divided into three groups with varying levels of work experience based on the number of years they had been in active employment: 1) Early Career (EC) group = 2-6 years); 2) Mid-Career (MC) group = 7-11 years), and 3) Late career (LC) group = over 11 years). Each group included 10 subjects comprised of both males and females. To conduct the measurements, each therapist treated one hemiplegic patient for 20 min using a passive range of motion protocol and then rested for 15 min. The maximum voluntary contraction on trapezius and deltoid muscles were tested using electromyography before and after treatment. During treatment, the muscle workload, muscle fatigue, and cardiovascular load were measured. The perceived workload was assessed using a subjective workload index (SWI) questionnaire following treatment.
The three work experience groups of physical therapists performed a similar workload. The SWI corresponded well with physiological measurement. The muscle capacity after treatment of the EC group was significantly lower than that of the MC group (p < 0.05). Notably, the right deltoid of the LC group was significantly lower than that of the MC group.
The physical therapists worked with a moderate, objectified workload. A 15-min rest period brought the cardiovascular load below 30% and lowered fatigue in the right deltoids. This result may indicate a musculoskeletal disorder warning signal for the physical therapists.
本横断面研究旨在评估物理治疗师的生理反应，比较不同工作经验组的生理工作量，并评估他们在 15 分钟恢复期内的比较生理反应。
30 名治疗师参加了本研究。他们根据工作年限分为三组：1）早期职业（EC）组=2-6 年）；2）中期职业（MC）组=7-11 年）和 3）晚期职业（LC）组=11 年以上）。每组包括 10 名男性和女性受试者。为了进行测量，每位治疗师使用被动关节活动度方案治疗一位偏瘫患者 20 分钟，然后休息 15 分钟。在治疗前后使用肌电图测试斜方肌和三角肌的最大自主收缩。在治疗过程中，测量肌肉工作量、肌肉疲劳和心血管负荷。治疗后使用主观工作量指数（SWI）问卷评估感知工作量。
三组有不同工作经验的物理治疗师的工作量相似。SWI 与生理测量结果相符。EC 组治疗后的肌肉容量明显低于 MC 组（p<0.05）。值得注意的是，LC 组的右三角肌明显低于 MC 组。
物理治疗师的工作负荷适中，客观化。15 分钟的休息时间可将心血管负荷降低到 30%以下，并降低右三角肌的疲劳。这一结果可能表明物理治疗师存在肌肉骨骼疾病的警告信号。
