• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.515-524
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• 2012

PURPOSE: It is known that work stress was linked to WRMDs in workplace. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) related to job stress among prosthetists and orthotists. METHODS: Eighty-six self-reported symptoms of discomfort (SRSD) and job stress were collected by questionnaire and analyzed. RESULTS: The results were as follows: Over 70% of respondents had WRMDs. The shoulder was the most painful region and each of "within 15 minutes", "once a week" and "severe moving or doing exercise" items were main characteristics in the SRSD. Finally, the "repetition of simple work" item in job stress ranked as resulting in "often discomfort" in over 43% of respondents. Additionally, there was a statistically significant correlation between job stress and pain intensity (p<.05, $r_s$=.36). CONCLUSION: Further studies are needed to identify the factors affecting musculoskeletal symptoms and job stress of prosthetists and orthotists in Korea.