Alsenan Amjad Abdullah, Seyam Mohamed K, Shawky Ghada M, Atya Azza M, Abdel Ghafar Mohamed A, Hasan Shahnaz
Department of Physical Therapy, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Riyadh 55422, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jul 30;13(15):1853. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13151853.
: Musculoskeletal disorders significantly affect healthcare professionals, particularly physiotherapists, due to the physical demands of their work. The link between physical ailments and psychological distress is especially prominent in clinical settings. : To assess the prevalence of work-related low back pain (LBP), stress, anxiety, and depression among physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia, and to identify associated local risk factors. : A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling included 710 licensed physiotherapists across Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an online survey containing demographic data and the validated measures, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for psychological distress. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation, and regression analyses. : Of 710 responses, 697 were valid; 378 physiotherapists reported work-related LBP. The mean pain intensity was 4.6 (SD = 1.6), with 54.2% experiencing moderate to severe disability. Mental health results showed 49.7% had depressive symptoms and 33.9% experienced some level of anxiety. Significant correlations were observed between disability and psychological distress (anxiety: r = 0.382; depression: r = 0.375; stress: r = 0.406; all < 0.001). Regression analyses indicated psychological distress significantly predicted disability, with R values ranging from 0.125 to 0.248, being higher among inpatient physiotherapists. : This study reveals a high prevalence of LBP and psychological distress among Saudi physiotherapists, with stress being the strongest predictor of LBP severity. Integrated ergonomic and mental health interventions, including workplace wellness programs and psychological support, are recommended to reduce risks and promote a healthier, more sustainable physiotherapy workforce.
肌肉骨骼疾病因其工作对身体的要求，对医疗保健专业人员，尤其是物理治疗师产生了重大影响。身体疾病与心理困扰之间的联系在临床环境中尤为突出。：评估沙特阿拉伯物理治疗师中与工作相关的腰痛（LBP）、压力、焦虑和抑郁的患病率，并确定相关的当地风险因素。：一项采用便利抽样的横断面研究纳入了沙特阿拉伯各地710名有执照的物理治疗师。参与者完成了一项在线调查，其中包含人口统计学数据以及经过验证的测量方法，包括疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）、奥斯威斯利残疾指数（ODI）以及用于心理困扰的抑郁、焦虑和压力量表-21（DASS-21）。使用描述性统计、卡方检验、相关性分析和回归分析对数据进行分析。：在710份回复中，697份有效；378名物理治疗师报告了与工作相关的腰痛。平均疼痛强度为4.6（标准差 = 1.6），54.2%的人有中度至重度残疾。心理健康结果显示，49.7%的人有抑郁症状，33.9%的人有一定程度的焦虑。在残疾与心理困扰之间观察到显著相关性（焦虑：r = 0.382；抑郁：r = 0.375；压力：r = 0.406；均P < 0.001）。回归分析表明，心理困扰显著预测残疾，R值范围为0.125至0.248，住院物理治疗师中的R值更高。：这项研究揭示了沙特物理治疗师中腰痛和心理困扰的高患病率，压力是腰痛严重程度的最强预测因素。建议采取综合的人体工程学和心理健康干预措施，包括工作场所健康计划和心理支持，以降低风险并促进更健康、更可持续的物理治疗师队伍。
