Skip to main content

Table 1 Participant characteristics

From: Workplace musculoskeletal problems in occupational therapy students

Characteristics

(n = 211)

 

Age, mean (SD)

23.6 (6.1)

Body mass index, mean (SD)

23.8 (4.1)

Gender, n(%)

 Male

36 (17.1)

 Female

175 (82.9)

Year of study, n(%)

 Year 1

93 (44.1)

 Year 2

7 (3.3)

 Year 3

34 (16.1)

 Year 4

77 (36.5)

Hours of work-based training, median (IQR)

180 (76–400)

Percentage time in, median (IQR)

 Face to face physical activities with clients

20 (10–30)

 Face to face communication with clients

30 (20–40)

 Clinical observation

20 (10–30)

 Administrative/desk activities

20 (10–30)

 Other

0 (0–0)

Number of clients treated during placement, median (IQR)

20 (10–40)

Working posture, n (%)

 Poor

75 (35.5)

 Good

127 (60.3)

 Excellent

9 (4.3)

Main workplace position, n (%)

 Standing

13 (6.2)

 Sitting

35 (16.6)

 Predominantly standing and sitting

61 (28.9)

 Predominantly standing and walking

60 (28.4)

 Predominantly sitting and walking

38 (18.0)

 Other

4 (1.9)

Chair type during seated activities with clients, n (%)

 Stationary non-adjustable chair

137 (64.9)

 Mobile chair on wheels but non-adjustable

10 (4.7)

 Mobile chair on wheels and adjustable

40 (19.0)

 Not applicable

24 (11.4)

Chair type when participating in administrative duties, n (%)

 Stationary non-adjustable chair

36 (17.1)

 Mobile chair on wheels but non-adjustable

18 (8.5)

 Mobile chair on wheels and adjustable

154 (73.0)

 Not applicable

3 (1.4)

Primary focus of caseload, n (%)

 Paediatrics

37 (17.5)

 Aged care

54 (25.6)

 Rehabilitation

44 (20.9)

 Mental health

29 (9.0)

 Other

57 (27.0)

Hand dominance, n (%)

 Right

179 (84.8)

 Left

26 (12.3)

 Ambidextrous

6 (2.8)

Perceived joint mobility, n (%)

 Within normal limits

150 (71.1)

 Hypermobile

50 (23.7)

 Hypomobile

11 (5.2)

Performs exercises to improve posture on work-based training, n (%)

 Yes

66(31.3)

 No

145(68.7)

Works with clients outside of studies, n (%)

 Yes

74 (35.1)

 No

137 (64.9)

Previous musculoskeletal problem in last 12 months, n (%)

 Yes

82 (38.9)

 No

129 (61.1)

  1. SD standard deviation, IQR interquartile range, n = number