Effects of Nursing Burnout Syndrome on Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent one of the most frequently occurring and costly occupational issue in nursing. The nursing profession is one of the most stressful occupations today, because of the quantity and diversity of risk factors associated with the work environment. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between burnout syndrome and musculoskeletal disorders. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study a questionnaire survey was carried out among 415 nursing personnel in five educational hospitals in Hamedan, Iran. Data were collected through two unnamed questionnaires including Maslach Burnout Inventory, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Statistical analysis showed that the most commonly painful regions among the nurses were lower back (5.53%), left foot (5.08%), and head and neck (4.43%), right foot (4.90%), right knee (3.84%) and left knee (3.74%). The lowest pain, were found to be in right and left elbows (1.99%) and(1.91%), respectively. Also emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment has significant correlation with musculoskeletal disorders (P = 0.000, r = 0.122). Conclusions: The results showed high prevalence of MDS among Iranian nurses that could be due to emotional exhaustion and depression.

Keywords:

Musculoskeletal disorders , Burnout syndrome , Nursing , Iran