Risk of pain in the neck and shoulders and job change among hairdressers: a combined questionnaire and register-based Danish prospective cohort study

Neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal problems in cosmetologists caused by work-related ergonomic risk factors in Denizli, Turkey

BACKGROUND

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the neck and upper limbs are a common health problem among cosmetologists. Hairdressing requires bending, twisting, static postures, prolonged standing, repetitive motions, and vigorous movements of the hands and fingers. In order to determine the proper ergonomic measures, identifying the factors and hairdressing jobs that increase the risk of work-related neck and upper limb disorders is needed.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSDs in the neck and upper extremities of cosmetologists and to investigate the association with ergonomic risk factors and hairdressing work.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted on cosmetologists in Denizli, Turkey province (n = 504). Data collected through a survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, work organization, equipment, and hairdressing work, items on work posture, the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Work posture in hairdressing was assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA).

RESULTS

The prevalence of MSDs of the neck and upper limbs in the previous twelve months ranged from 7.7-55.8%. There was high, or very high, risk in 56.1% of work postures, and the median RULA score was 5.0 (4.0-6.0). The significant predictors of pain were work experience, gender, marital status, risk perception, awkward posture, psychological demand, and hair coloring.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to take control measures in hairdressing salons promptly to adopt more suitable working posture and to design workplaces ergonomically.

Gender Differences, Ergonomics Risks and Upper Quadrant Musculoskeletal Pain in Hairdressers

The aim of this study was to examine ergonomic risk levels and upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain (UQMP) level of hairdressers, and difference and correlation between gender.

Volunteers participating in study were assessed with the descriptive data form, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (DASH).

229 (female, 26.6%; male, 73.4%) hairdressers participated in study. Prevalence of in the first three frequencies pain in the musculoskeletal system was calculated as 48.5% in neck, 41.5% in upper back, 33.6% in shoulder. The mean DASH score of the hairdressers was 10.75±10.70, Quick DASH-work modulated score was 6.85±10.24 and mean ergonomic risk score was moderate to high (5.36±1.22) according to RULA. Although there was no difference in terms of gender in the ergonomic risk level, higher level of UQMP was significant in females (p˂0.05). RULA score correlated with CMDQ and DASH score in both genders (p˂0.05).

Hairdressers perform their jobs in work environments in moderate to very high ergonomic risk level. There is a possibility of UQMP in hairdressers especially female due to the effect of their movement patterns as a requirement of their profession.