#0026 Baropodometric evaluation of foot load distribution during gait in the group of professionally active nurses
What Gait Reveals About Nurses’ Work Habits—Foot Load Distribution Versus Neck or Back Pain
Ergonomic principles were designed with the objective of improving the long-term health and productivity of workers and preventing certain chronic disorders and pain. However, from our recent study, we think it likely that many healthcare professionals don’t apply these principles in their day-to-day life.
Nurses are at high risk of suffering from work-related pain and musculoskeletal disorders because of the nature of their work that can often involve lifting heavy loads. To make matters worse, they tend to work long hours and spend a lot of time standing.
The body naturally tries to adapt to our habits, and we therefore hypothesized that musculoskeletal disorders could be linked to an asymmetry in how the body weight is distributed between both feet. In this study, we investigated the distribution of foot load while walking in 37 female nurses from Wroclaw Medical University in Poland.
Using a gait baropodometer, which is a special mat with a matrix of weight sensors, we recorded how foot loads were distributed while participants paced back and forth. We also had them fil out the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire—a powerful screening tool for musculoskeletal issues and pain.
We found that 73% of participants—many of whom are young and novice nurses—suffered from ailments in the lower back area. Through statistical analysis, we also found that noticeable asymmetries on the loads on different parts of the feet where related to neck or back pain. These asymmetries are dangerous in the long-term and may develop into chronic conditions.
Unfortunately, although 68% of the nurses knew about ergonomic principles, most did not apply them daily. Our study has brought this important problem—and some of its implications—to light, and we hope it serves as a timely warning to healthcare managers and nurses alike.
Link to the original journal article:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/1348-9585.12102
Title of the paper:
Baropodometric evaluation of foot load distribution during gait in the group of professionally active nurses
Authors:
Anna Kołcz, Natalia Główka, Mateusz Kowal, Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz
