Myofascial Treatment for Microcirculation in Patients with Postural Neck and Shoulder Pain

Vascular impairment is a crucial factor associated with chronic muscle pain, but relevant research from the microcirculatory aspect is lacking. Here, we investigated the differences in neck muscle microcirculation detected through laser-doppler flowmetry (LDF) and cervical biomechanics by a videofluoroscopic image in asymptomatic participants and patients with postural neck and shoulder pain. To understand the mechanism behind the effect of myofascial treatment, transverse friction massage (TFM) was applied and the immediate effects of muscular intervention on microcirculation were monitored. In total, 16 asymptomatic participants and 22 patients (mean age = 26.3 ± 2.4 and 25.4 ± 3.2 years, respectively) were recruited. Their neck muscle microcirculation and spinal image sequence were assessed. The differences in the baseline blood flow between the asymptomatic and patient groups were nonsignificant. However, the standard deviations in the measurements of the upper trapezius muscle in the patients were significantly larger (p < 0.05). Regarding the TFM-induced responses of skin microcirculation, the blood flow ratio was significantly higher in the patients than in the asymptomatic participants (p < 0.05). In conclusion, postintervention hyperemia determined through noninvasive LDF may be an indicator for the understanding of the mechanism underlying massage therapies and the design of interventions for postural pain.

Factors associated with neck and shoulder pain: a cross-sectional study among 16,000 adults in five county councils in Sweden

Background Neck and shoulder pain is common in the general population, but studies on factors related to the risk of neck and shoulder pain have produced inconclusive results. Known factors related to pain include general physical activity, exercise, sleep disorders, and lifestyle, but further research is needed to improve our ability to prevent neck and shoulder pain. The aim was to investigate whether neck and shoulder pain are associated with physical domains (i.e., aerobic physical activities, general physical activities, and sitting time), sleep disturbances, general health, job satisfaction, and/or working time. Methods This population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Sweden in 2017 and included 16,167 individuals, aged 18 to 63 years. We administered a questionnaire to determine neck and shoulder pain, the time spent in general physical activity or aerobic physical activity, the time spent sitting, sleep disturbances, general health, job satisfaction, and the time spent working. Factors associated with neck and shoulder pain were explored using logistic regression. Results Significant factors associated with neck and shoulder pain were: overall health, sleep quality, and aerobic exercise. The odds of sustaining neck and shoulder pain increased with moderate or poor health (odds ratios [ORs]: 2.3 and 2.8, respectively) and sleep disorders (OR: 1.7). Conversely, aerobic physical activity performed more than 60 min/week at a level that enhanced respiratory and heart rate was associated with a reduced risk of experiencing neck and shoulder pain (OR: 0.8). Conclusions Although no causal relationships could be determined in the present study, the results highlight important associations between aerobic exercise, undisturbed sleep, good health, and the absence of upper body pain. Exercises that enhance breathing and heart rate were associated with a reduced risk of experiencing neck or shoulder pain, but there was no association between general physical activity and upper body pain. Therefore, clinicians may not recommend low-intensity activities, such as walking, for preventing or improving neck and shoulder pain.

Garments furniture design for Bangladeshi workers considering ergonomic principles

BACKGROUND: In Bangladesh, workers typically spend at least eight hours a day at garment factories in sitting and/or standing position. Prolonged sitting on ergonomically unfit furniture causes back, neck, and shoulder pain, which reduces the working efficiency and leading to low productivity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to design ergonomically correct furniture for Bangladeshi garment workers considering multivariate analysis on the anthropometric data. METHODS: Twelve anthropometric measures and five furniture dimensions were measured. The sample comprised of 600 volunteer workers from different garment industry. The furniture dimensions were compared with the relevant anthropometric characteristics and found a high level of mismatch (e.g. seat height (male 18%, female 94.25%), seat depth (male 96%, female 63.50%), seat width (male 9.50%, female 36.25%), sewing table height (male 56.50%, female 50%), and desk height for inspection, cutting and ironing table (male 100%, female 100%). RESULTS: New design specifications were proposed of the worker which improved the match percentage. The multivariate anthropometric analysis generated 8 cases and for each case the ranges of anthropometric measurements have been identified. CONCLUSION: The results will help to design robust ergonomic garments furniture.

P140 A study of sleep quality, smartphone use and chronic neck pain among male and female university students

Purpose Intensive smartphone use may contribute to chronic neck and shoulder pain and sleep disturbance. This study aimed to examine the relationship of sleep quality with daytime smartphone use and self-reported neck-shoulder symptoms among university students in Hong Kong. Methods Nineteen university students participated (11 males, 9 females, mean age=21.7±3.9). The actigraphy device Actiwatch 2 (Philips Ltd) was used to record 7 nights of sleep data. Daytime smartphone use and neck and shoulder pain scores (on a Pain scale 0–10) were recorded. Results Total sleep time (TST) was significantly longer in females (410.2min) than males (359.6min) (p=0.012), as was the sleep efficiency (females: 87.8%, males: 79.8%, p=0.003). Their sleep onset latency was similar at around 18min. The mean weekly Screen time and pre-bed Screen time were 430.1min and 37.9min for females, and 427.2min and 26.7min for males respectively. All the participants reported mild neck-shoulder symptoms (mean pain scores=0.9±1.8 for neck, 1.5±2.4 for shoulder). Pearson correlation showed no statistically significant association between sleep parameters, neck/shoulder pain score, screen time during day, and pre-bed screen time. Conclusion The present results showed that university students in Hong Kong were sleep deprived with on average, ~6h of sleep per night and spending ~30min each night on screen devices. Female students slept ½h more than male students. Given the low pain scores and small sample size, no significant relationship was found with musculoskeletal symptoms and smartphone use. Future study should recruit those with more severe symptoms and increase the sample size.

1384Factors related to neck and shoulder pain during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

Background Shoulder stiffness is a common health issue in Japan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were forced to stay home which possibly escalated the development of shoulder stiffness. We aimed to assess associations of lifestyle changes and newly developed neck and shoulder pain (NSP) during the pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, analyzing the data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS), an internet survey conducted from August to September 2020. Data included sociodemographic, lifestyle and health measures related to NSP during the pandemic. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to calculate adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for newly developed NSP with adjustment for lifestyle, physiological and psychosocial changes. Results After exclusion of participants with existing pain, 25,482 participants (12,673 male, 12,809 female) aged 15-79 years were included in the analysis. Of these, 4.1% reported newly developed NSP. Weight gain and long sedentary time were strongly associated with the NSP (AOR (95%CI): 2.4 (2.0-2.8) and 1.81 (1.4-2.3)). Stratified analyses of 1,751 students and 4,211 teleworkers showed significant associations (AOR (95%CI): 2.1 (1.4-2.8) and 2.5 (1.9-3.2)) compared to non-workers and non-teleworkers, respectively. Conclusions Students and teleworkers became prone to NSP during the pandemic. However, factors which were associated to pain did not differ during the pandemic compared with the previous studies. Key messages Preventive measures for NSP should be taken in students and teleworkers.

Influence of Mobile Phones on Visual Performance of Students

To analyze and describe the quantitative data of a especially designed well structured questionnaire to survey the influence of mobile phones on students eyes among the students of a senior secondary school. 1.2-Design-A prospective descriptive non comparative cross-section study. 1.3-Method-100 students are included in this study [50 boys and 50 girls]. After explanation of nature of the impact on eye sight to the students .they fulfilled a specially design form for survey which included 21 questions of high validity and reliability. 1.3-Results-the most remarkable result in this study was recording that 88% of the students sample was used to spend 5 hours or more on a daily basis. Thus, were complaining of one or more of manifestation. Dry eye, headache, blurred vision, eye strain, neck and shoulder pain, fatigue and eye redness were recorded in 30%,24%,33%,20%,23%,14% and 29% respectively. 1.4-Conclusion -This study proved that there are a number of factor that determine the amount of strain on your body feels as work on you work on a mobile phone or other digital devices, including lightening in the room, distance from the screen ,posture, and angle of your head -not to mention and existing vision problems you may have. This study recorded that dry eye, blurred vision, eye strain headache, were the most common symptoms while using smart phones.

Association between working in awkward postures, in particular overhead work, and pain in the shoulder region in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey

Background Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of work-related sick leave and incur substantial socioeconomic costs. With the aging of our society and employees, the problem is exacerbating, and prevention is becoming increasingly important. According to previous studies, exposure to awkward postures, such as overhead work, is associated with musculoskeletal problems. Objective This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of employees who work in awkward postures, specifically overhead, stratified by age, gender and occupation in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey and to analyze associations between awkward working postures, in particular overhead work, and pain in the shoulder region. Method The study is based on secondary data from the German 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey. We have included 14,327 of the 20,012 employees aged < 67 years who work at least 35 h per week who took part in the survey. The classification of participants in occupational groups is based on the Blossfeld classification. The multivariate analysis was conducted by applying robust Poisson regression models adjusted block by block to obtain the relation between the self-reported frequency of working in awkward postures, in particular overhead work, and the occurrence of arm pain and neck and shoulder pain. Prevalence ratios (PR) are reported as effect estimates. Results 12.7% of participants indicated that they are often exposed to awkward postures at work; 5.0% stated they often performed overhead work. The majority of these employees worked in agricultural, unskilled and skilled manual occupations. The crude prevalence is 17.4% for arm pain and 48.4% for neck and shoulder pain. If subjects reported that they often performed overhead work, the risk of arm pain increased by 18% (PR 1.18, CI 1.04–1.34, final model). Conclusion Working in awkward postures, especially overhead work, is a risk factor for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. The development of prevention strategies should focus on the workforce in agricultural, unskilled and skilled manual occupations.

NATURE AND PATTERN OF NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN IN HOME ECONOMIST AMONG JHASI (U.P.)

INTRODUCTION: To indentify the anatomic site, nature, pattern & severity of neck and shoulder pain among housewives, find out incidence of pain, find out recurrence of neck and shoulder pain , to determine which activities are more prone to aggravate the neck and shoulder pain. To survey awareness of neck and shoulder pain among housewives at Jhansi (U.P.) To identify nature and pattern of neck and shoulder pain among OBJECTIVE OF STUDY: housewives by Random Sampling done in the Jhansi City, UP. Housewives completed a METHODOLOGY: questionnaire about her neck and shoulder pain related questions, movement and pain related questions, ADL problems related question. Questionnaire form, Neck & Shoulder Assessment In OUTCOME MEASURES: CONCLUSION: conclusion, the survey shows that out of 51 women, around 50% housewives suffer from neck and shoulder pain with either a moderate score of 10-20% or a median score of 40-50%.