Cervico-brachial disorders in dentists. A comparison between two kinds of physiotherapeutic interventions

Abstract

We have evaluated two kinds of physiotherapy treatment for dentists with occupational cervico-brachial disorders. Group A received treatment with a psychosomatic approach and individual ergonomic instruction and group B received ergonomic instruction only. A reduction of the cervico-brachial disorders after the intervention was observed in both groups. In group A there was a significant decrease of pain and discomfort in the neck (p less than 0.05), and a significant improvement was also found concerning the experience of well-being (p less than 0.05). Five weeks after the intervention the feeling of self-confidence had increased significantly in group A (p less than 0.05). Both groups of dentists experienced that their control over the work had decreased (p less than 0.01 in group A and p less than 0.05 in group B). In group B it was also found that the dentists' confidence in the future had decreased, compared with the answers given a year before.