PREVENTING MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF INTERVENTION APPROACHES IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major contributor to decreased work motivation among nurses. These conditions are primarily caused by occupational stress and non-ergonomic working postures involving repetitive movements and prolonged static loading on specific muscles and joints. MSDs manifest as pain, paresthesia, fatigue, and limited range of motion. If left untreated, MSDs may lead to permanent functional impairment, reduced quality of life, decreased work motivation, and a decline in the nursing workforce. Methods: This systematic review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2024 that investigated stretching interventions among nurses and hospital healthcare workers. A total of 1,488 articles were identified from the Scopus, PubMed, and ProQuest databases. After screening, 1,475 articles were excluded due to inappropriate study design (n = 886), irrelevant populations (n = 350), unrelated outcomes (n = 239), and other reasons (n = 5). Eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Results: All included studies reported a reduction in musculoskeletal discomfort or pain, particularly in the neck, shoulders, back, lower back, hands, and feet following stretching interventions. The duration of stretching per session ranged from 5 minutes (two studies), 10 minutes (three studies), to 20 minutes (three studies). The intervention periods varied from 6 weeks (three studies), 12–15 weeks (two studies), to 6–18 months (three studies). Although different instruments were used, all measured musculoskeletal discomfort or pain. Conclusion: Stretching interventions are effective in preventing and reducing MSD-related discomfort among hospital nurses. Therefore, structured training programs and institutional policies are strongly recommended to promote regular stretching as part of occupational health strategies.