Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Cardiac Sonographers

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in the Management of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Cardiac Sonographers

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WRMDs) are common among cardiac sonographers due to their nature of work. This study aims to find out the effectiveness of the telerehabilitation method in the management of WRMDs among cardiac sonographers. 38 cardiac sonographers diagnosed with WRMDs will be randomly allocated into experimental and control groups with an allocation ratio1:1. The Experimental group will be receiving the telerehabilitation program along with an ergonomic awareness education program for 6 weeks, and the control group will receive an ergonomic awareness education alone. Pain, quality of life and work satisfaction are the outcome measures which will be measured at the baseline and after 6 weeks of the program

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cardiac sonographers with work-related musculoskeletal pain.
• Cardiac sonographers practicing adult echocardiography predominantly working in public hospitals, private hospitals or/and private outpatient clinics in Saudi Arabia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Systematic diseases as reported by the participants such as Diabetes Miletus and Fibromyalgia.
• Using cardiac medications or the pain killer as reported by the participants.
• Any biomechanical abnormalities based on the evaluation of a qualified physical therapist.
• Any other musculoskeletal disorders or injuries which is not related to WRMDs.
• Any recent surgery which may affect the ability to participate in the exercise program.
• Any other contraindications to participate in the exercise program.
• Pregnancy in female participants.