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. 2025 Apr;43(1):e13.
doi: 10.17533/udea.iee.v43n1e13.

Pain manifestations in nursing professionals: a scoping review

Sabrina de Melo Oliveira  1 , Larissa de Lima Ferreira  2 , Thaís Araújo da Silva  3 , Iracema da Silva Frazão  4
Affiliations

Pain manifestations in nursing professionals: a scoping review

Sabrina de Melo Oliveira et al. Invest Educ Enferm. 2025 Apr.

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Objective: To map the literature on the prevalence of pain in nursing professionals.

Methods: This is a scoping review that was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews, and according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The protocol was developed and registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) [https://osf.io/2zu73/]. The search was carried out in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), SciVerse Scopus, Embase, and the Catalog of Theses and Dissertations of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

Results: A total of 49 studies were included, all of which were cross-sectional studies, and the total sample of the included studies was 35,069 participants. Most of the included studies were concentrated in the Asian continent (71.4%). Among the select-ed studies, it was shown that the most affected area was the lumbar region (81.57%), followed by the neck (71.5%) and shoulder (31.57%) regions.

Conclusion: According to the studies evaluated, the prevalence of occupational pain in nursing professionals was of musculoskeletal origin. The high prevalence of pain found reinforces the importance of monitoring the health of nursing workers.

Objetivo.: Mapear la literatura científica sobre la prevalencia del dolor en los profesionales de enfermería.

Métodos.: Se trata de una revisión de alcance que se llevó a cabo de acuerdo con las metodologías del Instituto Joanna Briggs y con la extensión de la guía PRISMA. El protocolo se elaboró y registró en el Open Science Framework (OSF) [https://osf.io/2zu73/]. La búsqueda se realizó en las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed/MEDLINE, Biblioteca Virtual de Salud (BVS), Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), SciVerse Scopus, Embase y el Catálogo de Tesis y Disertaciones de la Coordinación para el Perfeccionamiento del Personal de Educación Superior (CAPES).

Resultados.: Se incluyeron 49 estudios, todos eran estudios transversales, incluyendo la muestra un total de 35069 participantes. La mayoría de los estudios incluidos se concentraban en el continente asiático (71.4%). Entre los estudios seleccionados, se encontró que la zona más afectada por el dolor era la región lumbar (81.57%), seguida de las regiones de cuello (71.5%) y hombros (31.57%).

Conclusión.: Según los estudios evaluados, la prevalencia de dolor ocupacional en los profesionales de enfermería fue de origen musculoesquelético. La elevada prevalencia de dolor encontrada refuerza la importancia de acompañar la salud de los trabajadores de enfermería.

Objetivo.: Mapear a literatura acerca da prevalência de dor em profissionais de enfermagem.

Métodos.: Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo que foi conduzida de acordo com metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) para revisões de escopo, e de acordo com o Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). O O protocolo foi elaborado e registrado no Open Science Framework (OSF) [https://osf.io/2zu73/]. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados: PubMed/MEDLINE, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), SciVerse Scopus, Embase e o Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).

Resultados.: Foram incluídos 49 estudos, todos eram estudos transversais e a amostra total dos estudos incluídos foi de 35.069 participantes. Maior parte dos estudos incluídos se concentrou no continente asiático (71.4%). Dentre os estudos selecionados, demonstrou-se que a área mais afetada foi a região lombar (81.57%), seguidas pelas regiões do pescoço (71.5%) e ombro (31.57%).

Conclusão.: De acordo com os estudos avaliados, a prevalência de dor ocupacional nos profissionais de enfermagem foi de origem musculoesquelética. A alta prevalência de dor encontradas reforça a importância do acompanhamento da saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem.

Keywords: nursing professionals; occupational diseases; pain.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flowchart of study selection according to PRISMA-SCR.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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