Inter and intra observer reliability of the Ovako working posture analysis system: working posture analysis in senior physiotherapy and rehabilitation students

Authors : Özge Çankaya, Ayşe Numanoğlu Akbaş, Aynur Demirel

Pages : 48-55

Doi:10.15437/jetr.1379562

View : 8 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2025-03-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: This study was planned to investigate the inter/intra observer reliability of the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) and to evaluate the body postures of senior physiotherapy students during intervention with the OWAS method in terms of ergonomic risk. Method: To evaluate the postures during the study, digital photographs of 60 students were taken from three different perspectives: front, back, and side. The photographs were manually scored by three physiotherapists using the OWAS method. In the first stage, the inter/intra-observer reliability of the OWAS method was examined, and in the second stage, ergonomic risk analysis was performed on the OWAS total score. Results: The study included 49 female and 11 male physiotherapy and rehabilitation senior students with a mean age of 22.45±1.09 (21-26). Inter/intra observer reliability was found to be good (ICCIrO=0.815; ICCIaO=0.872; p<0.05). Twenty-nine students (48.3%) were classified as \\\"No action required\\\", twenty-five students (41.7%) as \\\"Corrective actions required in the near future\\\", two students (3.3%) as \\\"Corrective actions required as soon as possible\\\" and four students (6.7%) as \\\"Corrective actions are required immediately\\\". Conclusion: In the study; the OWAS method was found to be inter/intra observer reliable. It was determined that more than half of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students were at risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal problems. It is predicted that work-related musculoskeletal problems in physiotherapists can be reduced by early detection of these risks.
Keywords : Ergonomi, Kas-iskelet ağrısı, Fizik tedavi, Postür