Effectiveness of Physical Exercise on Pain, Disability, Job Stress, and Quality of Life in Office Workers with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial (original) (raw)
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THE EFFECTS OF AN ERGONOMIC WORKSTATION INTERVENTION AND EXERCISE ON OFFICE WORKERS WITH NECK PAIN
The Effects of an Ergonomic Workstation Intervention and Exercise on Office Workers with Neck Pain Introduction: Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal injury encountered in the general population, especially amongst office workers. Neck pain alters the way the neck muscles behave and this can be measured using electromyographic (EMG) techniques. Neck exercises have been shown to reduce neck pain symptoms. Poor individual office workstation ergonomics have also been linked to neck pain. There is conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of ergonomics to reduce neck pain. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of individual computer workstation ergonomic adjustments, with the addition of a computer-based neck exercise programme, on the cervical flexion-relaxation ratio and the neck pain disability index score on office workers suffering from grade I/II neck pain. Methods: The study was a randomised control trial consisting of 52 participants from five organisations in the Cape Town Metropolitan area that have large office staff populations. Both groups received individual computer workstation ergonomic adjustments and the experimental group received the addition of a computer-based neck exercise programme. Measurements were recorded at baseline and at eight weeks post intervention. Outcome measures used included the cervical flexion-ratio, the neck pain disability index score, the perceived stress score, and the rapid office strain assessment score. Results: There were 52 participants’ data for analysis, with 25 participants comprising the control group, and 27 participants comprising the experimental group. No significant improvements within both groups and between both groups in terms of the primary outcome measure, the cervical FRR, were found. There were, however, significant improvements observed between groups and within groups for the neck pain disability index score. The perceived stress score remained unchanged between and within both groups over the duration of the study. Both groups also showed a significant improvement in their ROSA scores at the conclusion of the study, with no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Individual ergonomic workstation adjustments are able to significantly reduce the neck pain disability index score of office workers complaining of Gr I/II neck pain. The addition of a computer-based neck exercise programme is able to add significant improvements to this population group. KEYWORDS: Ergonomics, Workstation, Exercise, Neck Pain
Background: Neck pain is prevalent among office workers. This study evaluated the impact of an ergonomic and exercise training (EET) intervention and an ergonomic and health promotion (EHP) intervention on neck pain intensity among the general office workers and a subgroup of office workers with neck pain at baseline. Methods: A prospective 12-month cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 14 public and private organisations. Participants were office workers, aged ≥18 years working ≥30 hours per week (n=740). All participants received an individualised workstation ergonomic intervention, followed by 1:1 allocation to the EET group (neck-specific exercise training), or the EHP group (health promotion) for 12 weeks. Neck pain intensity (scale: 0-9) was recorded at baseline, 12 weeks, and 12 months. Participants with data at these three time points were included for analysis (n=367). Intervention group differences were analysed using generalized estimating equation models on an intent...
Individual and work related risk factors for neck pain among office workers: a cross sectional study
European Spine Journal, 2007
Work related neck disorders are common problems in office workers, especially among those who are intensive computer users. It is generally agreed that the etiology of work related neck disorders is multidimensional which is associated with, and influenced by, a complex array of individual, physical and psychosocial factors. The aim of the current study was to estimate the one-year prevalence of neck pain among office workers and to determine which physical, psychological and individual factors are associated with these prevalences. Five hundred and twelve office workers were studied. Information was collected by an online questionnaire. Self-reported neck pain during the preceding 12 months was regarded as a dependent variable, whereas different individual, work-related physical and psychosocial factors were studied as independent variables. The 12 month prevalences of neck pain in office workers was 45.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed that women had an almost two-fold risk compared with men (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.22-3.13). The odds ratio for age indicates that persons older than 30 years have 2.61 times more chance of having neck pain than younger individuals (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.32-3.47). Being physically active decreases the likelihood of having neck pain (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.14-2.99). Significant associations were found between neck pain and often holding the neck in a forward bent posture for a prolonged time (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.20-3.38), often sitting for a prolonged time (OR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.17-3.62) and often making the same movements per minute (OR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.02-2.60). Mental tiredness at the end of the workday (OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.29-3.26) and shortage of personnel (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.06-2.76) are significantly associated with neck pain. The results of this study indicate that physical and psychosocial work factors, as well as individual variables, are associated with the frequency of neck pain. These association patterns suggest also opportunities for intervention strategies in order to stimulate an ergonomic work place setting and increase a positive psychosocial work environment.
F3-2 Neck Pain and Physical Fitness among Office Workers
The Japanese journal of ergonomics, 2017
Neck pain is one of main health problems of office workers. They work with computers in the same position for long period of time. Previous studies show the prevalence of neck pain (45.5%) in office workers. This can lead to direct and indirect costs of health care. It is essential to develop predictors for preventing people from neck pain. Previous studies show that musculoskeletal disorders are related to physical fitness level. Many factors in physical fitness can predict the incident of musculoskeletal disorders.There is still few studies which are specific to neck pain and physical fitness. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate the relation between physical fitness level and prevalence of neck pain in office workers. A preliminary cross-sectional survey study included office workers who work in Faculty of physical therapy, Mahidol University. Participants were advertised with information and advantages of the study. The total of participants in this study were 18 office workers (10 females and 8 males). The test-retest reliability (ICC) of physical fitness tests were between 0.52-0.99. Physical fitness of participants were measured in five domains including 1) range of motion, 2) neck endurance, 3) strengthening of deep neck flexor muscle, 4) grip strength and 5) cardiorespiratory fitness by using cervical range of motion goniometer, neck flexor endurance test, neck flexor strength test by a pressure biofeedback, a hand grip dynamometer and three minutes step test, respectively. Compared the results which norms, subjects can be classified into normal group and below normal group. The Thai version of the modified neck disability index was used for examine the prevalence of neck pain. The neck disability scores were calculated, participants with the score more than 20% of full score were included in neck pain group. Statistic analysis analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for testretest reliability. Descriptive statistics showed that neck strength, neck endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness and range of neck flexion in participants with normal physical fitness level tend to have less prevalence of neck pain than that of participants with below normal physical fitness level.
Effectiveness of exercise in office workers with neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis
South African Journal of Physiotherapy
Background: Non-specific neck pain is a common health problem of global concern for office workers. This systematic review ascertained the latest evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise versus no therapeutic exercise on reducing neck pain and improving quality of life (QoL) in office workers with non-specific neck pain.Method: Seven electronic databases using keywords, that is, ‘office workers’, ‘non-specific neck pain’, ‘exercise’ and/or ‘exercise therapy’, ‘QoL’, ‘strengthening’, ‘stretching’, ‘endurance’, ‘physiotherapy’ and/or ‘physical therapy’, were searched from inception until March 2017. Heterogeneous data were reported in narrative format and comparable homogenous data were pooled using Revman.Results: Eight randomised control trials were reviewed and scored on average 6.63/10 on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Five studies performed strengthening exercise, one study had a strengthening and an endurance exercise group, one study performed ...
The Effect of Workplace Office Ergonomics Intervention on Neck and Shoulder Pain
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
This study explored whether musculoskeletal complaints can be reduced by the provision of ergonomics education. A cluster randomized controlled trial study was conducted in which 3 units were randomized to intervention and received training and 3 units were given a leaflet. The effect of intervention on knowledge, workstation practices, musculoskeletal complaints, sickness absence, and psychological well-being were assessed at 6 and 12 months. Although there was no increment of knowledge among workers, significant improvements in workstation practices in the use of monitor, keyboard, and chair were observed. There were significant reductions in neck and upper and lower back complaints among workers but these did not translate into fewer days lost from work. Workers' stress was found to be significantly reduced across the studies. In conclusion, office ergonomics training can be beneficial in reducing musculoskeletal risks and stress among workers.
Cureus, 2023
Musculoskeletal illnesses or ailments that are linked to work-related risk factors are known as work-related musculoskeletal conditions. For this study, chronic neck pain is defined as the discomfort experienced between the C1 and C7 anatomic areas of the cervical spine as well as the adjacent muscles, excluding the shoulders. In the workplace, the term "ergonomics" refers to the interactions between workers and other workplace components. Clinically, deep cervical flexor training and retraining are used for treating neck pain and enhancing the capacity to maintain an upright posture. Ergonomic training and therapeutic exercises are significantly effective in reducing pain and disability and enhancing posture in the cervical region.
2011
Background: Although leisure-time physical activity is important for health, adherence to regular exercise is challenging for many adults. The workplace may provide an optimal setting to reach a large proportion of the adult population needing regular physical exercise. This study evaluates the effect of implementing strength training at the workplace on non-specific neck and shoulder pain among industrial workers. Methods: Cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 537 adults from occupations with high prevalence of neck and shoulder pain (industrial production units). Participants were randomized to 20 weeks of high-intensity strength training for the neck and shoulders three times a week (n = 282) or a control group receiving advice to stay physically active (n = 255). The strength training program followed principles of progressive overload and periodization. The primary outcome was changes in self-reported neck and shoulder pain intensity (scale 0-9).
Risk factors for neck pain in office workers: A prospective study
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2006
Background: Persisting neck pain is common in society. It has been reported that the prevalence of neck pain in office workers is much higher than in the general population. The costs to the worker, employer and society associated with work-related neck pain are known to be considerable and are escalating. The factors that place office workers at greater risk of developing neck pain are not understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and risk factors of work-related neck pain in Australian office workers. Methods/design: We will conduct a prospective cohort study. A cohort of office workers without neck pain will be followed over a 12 month period, after baseline measurement of potential risk factors. The categories of risk factors being evaluated are physical (cervical spine posture, range of movement, muscle endurance and exercise frequency), demographic (age, sex), work environment (sitting duration, frequency of breaks) and psychosocial (psychological distress and psychosocial work factors). Cox regression analysis will be used to identify risk factors associated with work-related neck pain, and will be expressed as hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The data will also enable the incidence of neck pain in this population to be estimated. Discussion: In addition to clarifying the magnitude of this occupational health problem these data could inform policy in workplaces and provide the basis for primary prevention of neck pain in office workers, targeting the identified risk factors.