PREVALENCE OF WORK-RELATED THUMB PAIN AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS OF HAZARA DIVISION A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of work-related thumb pain among physical therapists practicing manual therapy in the Hazara Division of Pakistan.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted over six months. Eighty physical therapists (≥25 years old, ≥1 year experience) working in government and private sectors were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, frequency, and severity of thumb pain, as well as work-related factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, applying descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and frequencies.

Results: The mean age of participants was 29.3 ± 4.2 years. Of the 80 participants, 68 (85%) reported experiencing thumb pain during manual therapy, whereas 12 (15%) did not. Thumb pain was more prevalent among males (53.8%) compared to females (46.2%). Pain episodes varied: 35% experienced pain once, 35% reported 2–4 episodes, and 22.5% experienced 5–7 episodes. Most therapists (58.8%) worked 4–6 days per week, and 38.8% treated 4–6 patients daily. Manual therapy combined with modalities was the most common treatment approach (92.5%). On a 0–10 scale, 43.8% of participants rated pain between 4–6, indicating moderate severity.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of work-related thumb pain was identified among physical therapists in the Hazara Division, especially in younger therapists. Male therapists reported slightly higher prevalence rates. The findings highlight the occupational risks associated with manual therapy and underscore the need for ergonomic interventions, workload modifications, and preventive strategies.