PERCEPTION OF ERGONOMICS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS IN REMOTE EDUCATION MODALITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Introduction: Covid-19 changed the scenario for universities, that had to implement the transfer of the work environment of teachers from the classroom teaching model to the remote emergency one. Objective: To verify the ergonomic perception and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms of professors at a State Public University, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 27 professors. The anamnesis and characterization forms and the ergonomic perception and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaires were used in the data collection, sent by e-mail, with a link to the forms. Results: The mean age is 43.70 (±5.44) years, working remotely for 12-24 months (51.9%), for 40 hours per week (55.6%), (96.3%) taught classes using the notebook/computer (96.3%) in the sitting position, using self-adjusting chairs (55.5%), adequate table (69.2%), comfortable (51.9%).Well ventilated (63%), well lit (51.9%), silent (40.7%) environment. The symptoms were headache (55.6%) and visual symptoms (55.6%). Presence of pain, tingling, numbness in the last 12 months, lumbar region (77.8%), cervical (66.7%), wrists/hands (48.1%). Restrictions in activities of daily living, work in the last 12 months, cervical region (25.9%), lumbar (22.2%), wrists/hands (18.5%). Pain, tingling, numbness in the last 7 days, cervical region (40.7%), lumbar (25.9%), shoulders (25.9%). Conclusion: The ergonomic perception of the home office work environment in general was considered favorable. The presence of musculoskeletal symptoms was observed, especially in the lumbar, cervical, shoulders and wrists regions.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2. Musculoskeletal Pain. Education. Physical Therapy Specialty