Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 13 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 243-247
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260624
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain, Stress, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Autorickshaw Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Dr. Susan Annie George1, Adithya P R2, Fathima Rukhsana M S3, Sivani S4
1Professor, 2,3,4BPT Intern
College of Physiotherapy, Medical Trust of Medical Sciences, Cochin, Kerala University of Health Sciences
Corresponding Author: Dr. Susan Annie George
ABSTRACT
Background: Being an autorickshaw driver is one of the most physically and mentally taxing jobs, and it’s frequently linked to lengthy workdays, awkward postures, and constant exposure to noise and traffic. Stress, musculoskeletal pain, and hand-related illnesses are highly prevalent among drivers as a result of these variables. Long periods of sitting, operating the steering and brakes with repetitive hand motions, and being exposed to vibrations can cause musculoskeletal strain and even disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome. The psychological stress levels of drivers are further raised by financial strain, traffic jams, and erratic job schedules. Finding out how common carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, and musculoskeletal pain were among auto rickshaw drivers was the goal of this study.
Purpose: To find the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain, stress and carpal tunnel syndrome among autorickshaw drivers in Ernakulum district.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was used. A purposive sample method, composed of 125 autorickshaw drivers between the ages of 25 and 55 years in the Ernakulam district. The outcome measures used were the Nordic Questionnaire for assessing musculoskeletal pain, the perceived stress scale for assessing stress and Phalen’s test for assessing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Result: According to this study among 125 autorickshaw drivers, 108 people (86.4%) experienced musculoskeletal pain. 81 (65%) people experienced neck pain, 50 (40%) people experienced lower back pain, 47 (38%) people have had pain in their shoulder, 36 (29%) people have had pain in their upper back, and wrist/hand pain was felt by 21 (17%) people. The least pain was recorded in the ankle or feet (12, 10%), elbow (5, 4%), knee (4, 3%) and hip or thigh (3, 2%). Using the perceived stress scale, it was found out that 84 (67%) experienced moderate stress, 36 (28.8%) had low stress and 5 (4%) experienced high stress. Using the Phalen’s test, 9 (7%) individuals have positive carpal tunnel syndrome.
Conclusion: The study concluded that auto rickshaw drivers are highly susceptible to musculoskeletal pain, stress, and carpal tunnel syndrome due to the nature of their work
Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, stress, carpal tunnel syndrome, Nordic questionnaire, perceived stress scale, Phalen’s test, autorickshaw drivers.
[PDF Full Text]