Online supervised versus workplace corrective exercises for upper crossed syndrome: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background and objective Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) including upper crossed syndrome (UCS) are considered as the leading cause of work-related issues worldwide among office workers. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of workplace-based versus online-supervised home-based corrective exercises among office workers with UCS. Methods and design To this end, 45 subjects within the age range of 30–45 years are randomly assigned to three groups in the present parallel-group, randomized control trial using a pretest-posttest design. These groups include the subjects who receive online-supervised exercise and workplace exercise containing three sessions of intervention for 8 weeks and the control group receives no intervention while performing routine activities. The primary outcome variables are neck-shoulder pain (NSP) and consequent sick leave due to NSP, followed by alignment, workability, and the surface electromyography of upper, middle, and lower trapezius (UT, MT, and LT), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and serratus anterior (SA) as the secondary variables. Discussion The present study seeks to assess the effect of workplace versus online-supervised corrective exercise interventions among 45 office workers suffering from UCS. It is expected to improve and reduce the related symptoms including postural malalignment and imbalance muscles after 8 weeks of corrective exercises. If effective, the findings may lead to adherence and work performance among the office workers, and individuals subjected to UCS can use the benefits of an online-supervised intervention. In addition, the findings may be useful in different workplaces as the evidence for employers to benefit from the reduction in the related costs and side effects of work-related neck/shoulder disorders including work disability, productivity loss, time expense, social insurance, work absenteeism, and treatment costs. Finally, clinicians and corrective exercise therapists can consider it as a clinical based-evidence intervention for their further actions. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20200729048249N1. Registered on 5 October 2020 (https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/49992/view)

Download Full-text

Online Supervised Versus Workplace Corrective Exercises for Upper Crossed Syndrome: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-408271/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zohreh Yaghoubi Tajani ◽

Mehdi Gheitasi ◽

Mohammad Bayattork ◽

Lars Louis Andersen

Keyword(s):

Work Performance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Productivity Loss ◽

Office Workers ◽

Work Place ◽

Control Group ◽

Serratus Anterior ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Work Related ◽

Supervised Exercise

Abstract Background and ObjectiveMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) including upper crossed syndrome (UCS) are considered as the leading cause of work-related issues worldwide among office workers. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of workplace-based versus online-supervised home-based corrective exercises among office workers with UCS. Methods and DesignTo this end, 45 subjects within the age range of 30-45 years are randomly assigned to three groups in the present parallel-group, randomized control trial using a pretest-posttest design. These groups include the subjects who receive online-supervised exercise and work-place supervised exercise containing three sessions of intervention for eight weeks and the control group receives no intervention while performing routine activities. The primary outcome variables are neck-shoulder pain and sick-leave due to pain, followed by alignment, workability, and the surface electromyography of upper, middle, and lower trapezius (UT, MT, and LT), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and serratus anterior (SA) as the secondary variables.DiscussionThe present study seeks to assess the effect of work-place versus online-supervised corrective exercise interventions among 45 office workers suffering from UCS. It is expected to improve and reduce the related symptoms including postural malalignment and imbalance muscles after eight weeks of corrective exercises. If effective, the findings may lead to adherence and work performance among the office workers, and individuals subjected to UCS can use the benefits of an online-supervised intervention. In addition, the findings may be useful in different work-places as the evidence for employers to benefit from the reduction in the related costs and side effects of work-related neck-shoulder disorders including work disability, productivity loss, time expense, social insurance, work absenteeism, and treatment costs. Finally, clinicians and corrective exercise therapists can consider it as a clinical based-evidence intervention for their further actions. Trial registrationIRCT No. IRCT20200729048249N1 dated 2020.10.05 approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/49992/view).

Download Full-text

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of brief Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for the improvement of productivity in the workplace: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.36012 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mitsuhiro Sado ◽

Masashi Yamada ◽

Akira Ninomiya ◽

Maki Nagaoka ◽

Naho Goto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Cognitive Therapy ◽

Work Performance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Self Report ◽

World Health ◽

Control Group ◽

Work Related ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Programs’ (MBPs) among both clinical and non-clinical populations. These data document positive impacts in the workplace, including reducing perceived stress and burnout and increasing wellbeing. However, the effectiveness for productivity, which is of most interest to managers and administrators, is still unclear. In addition, MBPs in the workplace tend to be modified by reducing the number of the program sessions or delivering content online to improve accessibility. To date, however, the impact on productivity of MBPs in the workplace that feature these modifications has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the online-delivered brief Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (bMBCT) for improving productivity and other work related outcomes. METHODS We conduct a four-week RCT with a six-month follow-up. Employees are included in the study if they 1) are between the ages of 20-65 and 2) work longer than 30 hours weekly. Employees were randomly allocated to either the bMBCT group or wait-list control group. The primary outcome of the study is the mean difference of productivity measured by World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ) between the groups at 4, 16, 28 weeks. Secondary outcomes include several clinical outcomes and health economics evaluation. RESULTS Recruitment began in August 2021. 104 participants have been enrolled in the study as of October 2021. The intervention is ongoing and scheduled to be completed in December 2023. Data collection will be completed by March 2024. CONCLUSIONS The novelty of the study is that 1) it will investigate the bMBCTs’ effectiveness on productivity, which is still unclear, 2) samples are recruited from three companies in different industries, etc. The limitations of the study are 1) all measures assessed are self-report format, 2) we lack an active control group. This study has the potential to provide new data on the relationship between MBPs and occupational health and productivity. CLINICALTRIAL UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000044721

Download Full-text

The Effects of Aerobic Versus Cognitively Demanding Exercise Interventions on Executive Functioning in School-Aged Children: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.2020-0034 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Anna Meijer ◽

Marsh Königs ◽

Irene M.J. van der Fels ◽

Chris Visscher ◽

Roel J. Bosker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Verbal Working Memory ◽

Control Group ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Randomized Controlled

The authors performed a clustered randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of an aerobic and a cognitively demanding exercise intervention on executive functions in primary-school-age children compared with the regular physical education program (N = 856). They hypothesized that both exercise interventions would facilitate executive functioning, with stronger effects for the cognitively demanding exercise group. The interventions were provided four times per week for 14 weeks. Linear mixed models were conducted on posttest neurocognitive function measures with baseline level as covariate. No differences were found between the exercise interventions and the control group for any of the measures. Independently of group, dose of moderate to vigorous physical activity was positively related to verbal working memory and attention abilities. This study showed that physical exercise interventions did not enhance executive functioning in children. Exposure to moderate to vigorous physical activity is a crucial aspect of the relationship between physical activity and executive functioning.

Download Full-text

COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE, EXERCISE, AND AMYLOID BURDEN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2272 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S610-S610

Author(s):

Amber Watts ◽

Eric Vidoni ◽

Jill Morris ◽

Mark Perry ◽

David Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Pet Imaging ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽

Exercise Interventions

Abstract Exercise is a promising strategy for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid neuroimaging can identify individuals at risk of developing AD prior to displaying symptoms. We screened adults (65+) with Florbetapir PET imaging and a comprehensive cognitive battery. We randomized 117 participants with normal cognition into a 52-week aerobic exercise program to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive performance. We compared an intensive exercise treatment group to a standard of care control group. Cognition was assessed at baseline, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks in the domains of verbal memory, visuospatial processing, attention, and executive function. Interim results on 87 participants show cardiorespiratory fitness improved in the exercise group vs. control group (t=3.66(81), p< .001). The degree of change in cardiorespiratory fitness did not differ between those with and without elevated amyloid (t=-0.37(81), p=.710). Greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness predicted better performance on cognitive tests including trailmaking test, Stroop test, and digit symbol substitution test, which did not differ by amyloid status. Elevated amyloid levels predicted lower cognitive scores in logical memory, space relations, and identical pictures test. Our findings suggest PET imaging is a valid marker of cognitive performance in non-impaired older adults, and that this pre-clinical amyloid status did not reduce the cognitive benefits of exercise for those who improved in cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise interventions hold promise for cognitive maintenance among pre-symptomatic older adults with elevated amyloid levels. Finally, results highlight the importance of evaluating multiple cognitive domains which are associated differently with exercise and amyloid status.

Download Full-text

A Controlled Trial of Goal Setting for Long-Term Community Psychiatric Patients

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/030802268604900812 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 49 (8) ◽

pp. 264-268 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Christine Howell

Keyword(s):

Goal Setting ◽

Work Performance ◽

Goal Attainment ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Treatment Technique ◽

Community Psychiatric ◽

Experimental Group

Clinical goal setting is a widely advocated, yet poorly documented technique. This paper describes a controlled trial which was carried out with long-term community psychiatric patients. The experimental group received goal setting in the form of goal attainment scaling (GAS), whilst the control group received social reinforcement. The experimental group had a higher goal score and a significantly higher sessional involvement (p<0.05). The goal categories decided by the clinicians as relevant, differed from those wished by the subjects; the latter subsequently attained only low goal scores. There were no significant differences between the two groups on the work performance or social interaction outcome measures. These differences between the two groups were obtained despite the fact that the subjects of the research were the most intransigent to treatment. It is suggested that goal setting is an independent treatment technique which requires further substantiation, particularly amongst occupational therapists who are covertly or overtly employing the technique. Further research must address the question of identifying the characteristics of patients most likely to benefit from goal setting.

Download Full-text

Is Active Commuting to Work Related to Work Performance Among Male Office Workers?

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1097/jom.0000000000001064 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 59 (8) ◽

pp. 712-715

Author(s):

Yamato Tsuboi ◽

Shunsuke Murata ◽

Rei Ono

Keyword(s):

Work Performance ◽

Office Workers ◽

Active Commuting ◽

Work Related

Download Full-text

A study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial on mindfulness-based stress reduction: Studying effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction and an additional organisational health intervention on mental health and work-related perceptions of teachers in Dutch secondary vocational schools

10.21203/rs.2.19031/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Math Janssen ◽

Yvonne Heerkens ◽

Beatrice van der Heijden ◽

Hubert Korzilius ◽

Pascale Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Work Performance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Health Intervention ◽

Vocational Schools ◽

Work Related ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Abstract Background: Dutch teachers in secondary vocational schools suffer from stress and burnout complaints that can cause considerable problems at work. This paper presents a study design that can be used to evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), being a person-focused intervention, both within and without the context of an additional organisational health intervention. Methods: The proposed study comprises a cluster randomised controlled trial that will be conducted in at least three secondary vocational schools, for which teachers will[HBvd(1] be recruited from three types of courses: Care, Technology, and Economy. The allocation of the intervention programme to the participating schools will be randomised. The teachers from each school will be assigned to either Intervention Group 1 (IG 1), Intervention Group 2 (IG 2), or the Waiting List Group (WG). IG 1 will receive MBSR training and IG 2 will receive MBSR training combined with an additional organisational health intervention. WG, that is the control group, will receive MBSR training one year later. The primary outcome variable of the proposed study is mindfulness, which will be measured with the Dutch version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-NL). In the conceptual model, the effects of teachers’ mindfulness resulting from the intervention programmes (MBSR training and MBSR training combined with an additional organisational health intervention) will be related to salient (secondary outcome) variables: mental health outcomes (e.g., burnout, work engagement), work performance, work-related perceptions (job demands and job resources), and personal competencies (e.g., occupational self-efficacy). Data will be collected before (T0) and immediately after the MBSR training (T1), and three (T2) and nine months (T3) after the training. The power analysis revealed a required sample size of 66 teachers (22 for each group). Discussion: The proposed study aims to provide insight into: (1) the short- and long-term effects of MBSR on teachers’ mental health, (2) the possible enhancing effects of the additional organisational health intervention, and (3) the teachers’ experiences with the interventions (working mechanisms, steps in the mindfulness change process). Strengths of this study design are the use of both positive and negative outcomes, the wide range of outcomes, both outcome and process measures, longitudinal data, mixed methods, and an integral approach. Although the proposed study protocol may not address all weaknesses of current studies (e.g., self-selection bias, self-reporting of data, the Hawthorne effect), it is innovative in many ways and can be expected to make important contributions to both the scientific and practical debate on how to beat work-related stress and occupational burnout, and on how to enhance work engagement and work performance.

Download Full-text

Internet-based cognitive rehabilitation for WORking Cancer survivors (i-WORC): study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18729/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kete Klaver ◽

Saskia Duijts ◽

Chantal Geusgens ◽

Maureen Aarts ◽

Rudolf Ponds ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽

Work Performance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Work Related ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Fatigue Management ◽

Cognitive Problems ◽

Active Cancer

Abstract Background Cognitive problems are common in non-central nervous system cancer survivors. These problems are perceived as an important contributor to decline in work performance and work ability. Various interventions for cognitive problems have been proposed, but effectiveness regarding work-related outcomes has not yet been established. Effective treatment options to alleviate the adverse influence of cognitive problems on work performance are needed for working cancer survivors. In this paper, we will describe the design of a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial that evaluates the (cost-)effectiveness of an internet-based cognitive rehabilitation program for occupationally active cancer survivors confronted with cognitive problems. Methods/ Design A three-armed randomized controlled trial will be conducted, including two intervention groups (i.e., basic and extensive cognitive rehabilitation program) and one waitlist control group. In total, 261 cancer survivors (18 – 65 years) who have returned to work, and who experience cognitive problems will be recruited. Patients with and without cognitive impairment as established in a neuropsychological assessment, will be eligible; stratification will take place based on the presence of this cognitive impairment. The extensive intervention arm will contain a comprehensive training program (including psycho-education, fatigue management, and cognitive strategy training) with individual guidance (blended intervention). The basic intervention arm will contain a brief cognitive training program (including psycho-education and fatigue management) without individual guidance. The primary outcome will be accomplishment of an individually defined work-related treatment goal. Secondary outcomes include, among others, subjective cognitive functioning, work functioning, and quality of life. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline (T0), and at 12 weeks (T1) and 26 weeks (T2) post-randomization. Discussion About 40-50% of the cancer patients worldwide are of working age at time of diagnosis. Many of the occupationally active cancer survivors experience cognitive problems. Both from an individual and a societal perspective, it is important to sustain cancer survivors’ employability. An effective treatment to alleviate the impact of cognitive decline and to improve work ability might help cancer survivors to sustain employability.Trial registration The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03900806) at 03 April 2019 (current status: ongoing),https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03900806?term=NCT03900806&draw=2&rank=1.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Pain Relief in Patients Undergoing MIDCAB Surgery

Innovations Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery ◽

10.1177/1556984520908962 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 148-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sujeet Gautam ◽

Shantanu Pande ◽

Anil Agarwal ◽

S. K. Agarwal ◽

Amit Rastogi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postoperative Pain ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Artery Bypass ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Serratus Anterior ◽

Anterior Plane

Objective The minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery is associated with severe chest pain in the first 2 to 3 postoperative days; this may delay the patient recovery. In this randomized controlled trial we evaluated the role of serratus anterior plane (SAP) block for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing MIDCAB surgery. Methods Patients undergoing MIDCAB surgery were randomized into 2 groups of 25 each; SAP group received 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine with 1 μg/mL fentanyl as bolus followed by infusion at 8 mL/h; control group received saline for both bolus and infusion. Primary outcome measure was postoperative pain when supine, and during deep inspiration, coughing, and patient movement; secondary outcome measures were requirement of postoperative intravenous fentanyl and opioid-related side effects. All patients were followed at 6-hourly intervals for 48 hours in the postoperative period. Results were analyzed by the Student’s t -test, χ 2 test, Mann–Whitney U-test and Kruskall–Wallis test. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results The 2 groups were similar with respect to patient characteristics. Static and dynamic pain visual analog scale scores were significantly reduced in the SAP group as compared to the control group at most of the time points of assessment ( P < 0.05). Patient-controlled fentanyl requirements were reduced in the SAP group as compared to control group on the second postoperative day ( P < 0.05). Conclusions SAP block reduced the postoperative pain scores and opioid requirements in patients undergoing MIDCAB surgery.

Download Full-text