Group-based exercise at workplace: short-term effects of neck and shoulder resistance training in video display unit workers with work-related chronic neck pain—a pilot randomized trial

Abstract Background and Purpose. In recent years, a number of exercise programs have been developed for computer operators in order to promote movement and to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort. Tests of the effectiveness of these exercise programs, especially in field trials, are rare. The authors tested the hypothesis that doing regular, short-term (<10 days) exercises while at a workstation would decrease musculoskeletal discomfort and increase in-chair movement (ICM). Subjects. Eleven directory assistance operators (8 female, 3 male) with no recent history of musculoskeletal problems volunteered. Methods. In-chair movement was measured by tracking the center of pressure at the buttock-chair interface as subjects sat on a pressure-sensitive mat. Musculoskeletal discomfort was rated through the use of the Body Part Discomfort Scale (BPDS) and a body map. We used a revised Dataspan exercise program. Operators were tested for 2 hours, on 2 occasions: before and after doing exercises for 3- to 5-day shifts. During each test, ICM was measured during three 15-minute periods at the start of the test and at the end of hours 1 and 2. Subjects rated musculoskeletal discomfort per body part using the BPDS at 30, 60, and 120 minutes of each test. The effects of exercises on ICM and BPDS ratings were examined with a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with day (2) × time (3) designs. Results. When subjects were doing their exercises, ICM was higher at the start and hour 1, and perceived discomfort was lower during each test period (start, hour 1, and hour 2). When not exercising, subjects' musculoskeletal discomfort increased over time and was higher during all test periods. Discussion and Conclusion. Exercises done by video display unit operators while at a workstation resulted in short-term decreases in both musculoskeletal discomfort and postural immobility. These results suggest that workstation exercises may be beneficial.

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Effects of yoga on chronic neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215517698735 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (11) ◽

pp. 1457-1465 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Holger Cramer ◽

Petra Klose ◽

Benno Brinkhaus ◽

Andreas Michalsen ◽

Gustav Dobos

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Neck Pain ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Chronic Neck Pain ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Short Term ◽

Short Term Effects

Objective: The aim of this review was to systematically assess and meta-analyze the effectiveness of yoga in relieving chronic neck pain. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and IndMED were screened through January 2017 for randomized controlled trials assessing neck pain intensity and/or neck pain-related disability in chronic neck pain patients. Secondary outcome measures included quality of life, mood, and safety. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Results: Three studies on 188 patients with chronic non-specific neck pain comparing yoga to usual care were included. Two studies had overall low risk of bias; and one had high or unclear risk of bias for several domains. Evidence for short-term effects was found for neck pain intensity (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −1.18, −0.75; P < 0.001), neck pain-related disability (SMD = −0.97; 95% CI = −1.44, −0.50; P < 0.001), quality of life (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.197; P = 0.005), and mood (SMD = −1.02; 95% CI = −1.38, −0.65; P < 0.001). Effects were robust against potential methodological bias and did not differ between different intervention subgroups. In the two studies that included safety data, no serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion: Yoga has short-term effects on chronic neck pain, its related disability, quality of life, and mood suggesting that yoga might be a good treatment option.

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