Musculoskeletal disorders of rice workers and the effect of breeding movements on them

The present research is going to study the Musculoskeletal disorders of rice workers and the effect of breeding movements on them. So, Nordic questionnaire was screened for studying the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and also for risk exposure check of musculoskeletal disorders in 3 occupational tasks and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) was applied. Nordic questionnaire was distributed among 258 rice farmers 34 out of whom suffering from musculoskeletal disorders were identified and participated as samples in the selected corrective plan and ergonomic interventions for 8 weeks. The results showed that the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders was as follows: in lumbar 57.8%, wrist/ hand 49.5%, ankle 36.8%, foot and knee 32.9%, elbow29.9% and Lower back 20.2%, thigh 20.2%, shoulder 12.4% and neck 12% were in the following items. According to QEC score, 75% of the tasks of rice farmers were in high or very high level. Score of QEC in different surveillance techniques showed that among the other tasks the highest score was allocated to move up (more than 75%), in other words with respect to the risk level it was on the very high level and regarding check, corrective exercises had to be enforced immediately. Having done exercises for eight weeks and ergonomic interventions, patients found a significant improvement in lumbar, shoulder, neck and wrist/hand disorders (p<0/05). So, neck, lumbar, shoulder and wrist pains were relieved. According to the results the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the rice farmers studied was relatively high; in addition, the highness of risk level was a symptom of traumatic work place at the farm. The corrective exercises recommended for rice farmers reduced musculoskeletal disorders so, correction of moving up and improving conditions to move up are recommended.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Occupational Ergonomic, Corrective Exercises, Rice farmers