Dados do Trabalho

Título

Physiotherapeutic intervention for reducing musculoskeletal pain and improving sleep quality in truck drivers working irregular shifts

Introdução

Introduction:The work activity of truck drivers and, mainly, long hours and irregular shifts, have severe repercussions on the workers’ health. Inadequate work organization is known to be associated with sleep disturbances among long haul truck drivers. Sleep is of great physiological importance, which means any sleep disturbance may reduce immunological and cognitive responses, and physical performance. Moreover, sleep disorders can aggravate musculoskeletal pain.

Objetivo

Objective:The aims of this study were to determine the association of musculoskeletal pain with poor sleep quality, and to verify the effects of a physiotherapeutic intervention on musculoskeletal pain.

Métodos

Methods:This study was conducted with truck drivers working at a transportation company in São Paulo. Participants wore actigraphs for 10 consecutive days, filled out the Nordic Osteomuscular Symptoms Questionnaire, and performed physical exercises during the intervention period.

Resultados

Results:A total of 80.3% of the drivers reported musculoskeletal pain, being the prevalence for the spinal column pain of 66.2%. Poor sleep quality was reported by 48% of drivers on day shifts and by 52% of drivers working irregular hours. An association of poor sleep quality with musculoskeletal pain was found for all body regions studied, except for lower limbs. The associated factors with a high prevalence of pain complaints were irregular shift work and poor sleep. The drivers working irregular shifts had greater odds of having short sleep duration compared to drivers’ working day shifts. Sleep duration and work shift were predictors for pain complaints in the dorsal spine, lumbar spine and spinal column. The drivers evaluated positively the physiotherapeutic intervention program for reducing musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusões

. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among drivers, regardless of work shift. Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration appear to be associated factors with musculoskeletal pain.

Palavras-chave

Keywords: irregular shift work, musculoskeletal pain, physiotherapeutic intervention, sleep, truck drivers.