Prevalence of Poor Body Posture among Physiotherapists Using APECS

Abstract

Background: Poor posture among healthcare professionals, particularly physiotherapists, can adversely affect their ability to provide care and may lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Despite the physical demands of their profession, there is a lack of routine posture assessment and preventative measures to mitigate these risks. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of poor body posture among physiotherapists and to determine the efficacy of the APECS-AI Posture Evaluation and Correction System® (Apecs) mobile application as a tool for posture assessment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months, with 309 clinical physiotherapists from various healthcare institutions in Lahore. Using a non-probability convenient sampling technique, participants were assessed with the APECS app for deviations in the frontal and sagittal planes. The app, serving as a cost-effective alternative to 3D-marker-based systems, was used to categorize postural deviations as normal, mild, or severe disturbances. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The findings revealed that 56% of the participants suffered from severe postural disturbances, while 32% had mild disturbances, and only 12% maintained a normal posture. The mean age was 26.17±2.21 years, with a distribution leaning towards novice practitioners, indicating a need for early intervention in posture management. Conclusion: The high prevalence of poor posture among physiotherapists highlights an occupational health concern. The study supports the use of the APECS mobile app as an accessible and reliable tool for posture assessment, which could lead to improved clinical practices and better healthcare outcomes.