Analyses of musculoskeletal disorders among aesthetic students applying the methods: REBA, nordic and FSS

Abstract

The number of professionals and the demand for aesthetic treatments has been increasing significantly. During a treatment, the worker could be in non-ergonomic positions and practice repetitive movements, that it may cause Work Related of Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMDs). These injuries can be prevented if identified in through Ergonomic Analysis of Work (EAW), therefore the aim of this study consist in analyse the harm caused by the activities developed in the clinic during the procedures performed by forty four students of the Aesthetics course of a University. The research developed by applying ergonomics questionnaires REBA and Nordic that evaluate the movements, positions of work and identify pain/discomfort in the body during the performance. The fatigue severity scale also evaluate the fatigue at the beginning, middle and end of the beautician’s session. The REBA was completed according to the observer’s assessment, showed that the majority of the students presented medium-level and high risk, which means that they could develop musculoskeletal disorders. The fatigue severity scale measured the fatigue and verified that the students feel tired by performing repetitive movements. The results show that the majority of the students feel pain and/or discomfort in several parts of the body, the lower back was the region that obtained the highest number of complaints, followed by the upper back and neck. In addition to the analysis of muscle injuries, the research point out the importance of ergonomics studies to improve the quality of life of the aestheticians.