Work ability assessment of professionals with Cumulative Trauma Disorders insured by social security who returned to work

Abstract

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of leading causes of work related ill health. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the work ability of Social Security (INSS) insured professionals who had repetitive strain injuries/work-related musculoskeletal disorders Cumulative Trauma Disorders and returned to work. Methods: The research targeted 22 workers of a Campina Grande (PB, Brazil) fabric factory’s production sector who were withdrawn for having a diagnosis of Cumulative Trauma Disorders and returned to work. The assessment tool used was the Work Ability Index (WAI). Results: According to the WAI, one verified that 4 (18.18%) out of the 22 workers achieved grades within the “low” work ability; 15 (68.18%) showed “average” work ability and 3 (13.64%) were within the “good” work ability group. Conclusion: Therefore, most of these workers returned to work with average work ability according to the WAI. This bears out that actions toward improving the work ability, promoted by INSS, should be taken.