The contribution of physiotherapy in ergonomic analysis, prevention, and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain injuries in healthcare

Bruna Morais da Silva, Claudiana dos Santos Henrique, Letícia da Silva Cantão, Marcelly Soares dos Santos, Maria Eduarda de Oliveira Lopes, Maria Izabela da Costa Paixão, Nicoly Alves Ferraz, Pollyana Cardoso Franco, Raissa Oliveira Salomão, Daniel Rodrigues Silva

Ergonomics, Physiotherapy, Pealth, RSI, WMSD

The Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA), as established by Regulatory Standard No. 17, is a crucial tool for identifying occupational risk factors and proposing interventions that promote a safer and healthier work environment. In healthcare services, continuous exposure to intense physical demands, inadequate postures, and high cognitive requirements significantly contributes to the development of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). Physicaltherapy plays a strategic role in both the prevention and rehabilitation of healthcare professionals. Its scope includes the ergonomic assessment of workstations, the implementation of compensatory and educational exercise programs, and the functional rehabilitation of worker saffected by occupational injuries. The integration between EWA and physiotherapeutic practice promotes not only a reduction in the incidence of RSIs and WMSDs but also improvements in quality of life, increased occupational safety, and enhanced organizational efficiency. Therefore, the systematic application of EWA, combined with physiotherapeutic interventions, constitutes a fundamental resource for promoting occupational health, especially among healthcare professionals, a group highly vulnerable to ergonomic risks.

Received: 16 Apr 2026, Received in revised form: 11 May 2026, Accepted: 14 May 2026, Available online: 19 May 2026

10.22161/ijaers.135.4