Are neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting at work risk factors for neck pain? Results of a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective-To study the relation between neck pain and work related neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting. Methods-A prospective cohort study was performed with a follow up of 3 years among 1334 workers from 34 companies. Work related physical load was assessed by analysing objectively measured exposure data (video recordings) of neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting posture. Neck pain was assessed by a questionnaire. Adjustments were made for various physical factors that were related or not related to work, psychosocial factors, and individual characteristics. Results-A significant positive relation was found between the percentage of the working time in a sitting position and neck pain, implying an increased risk of neck pain for workers who were sitting for more than 95% of the working time (crude relative risk (RR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.04 to 3.88; adjusted RR 2.34, 95% CI 1.05 to 5.21). A trend for a positive relation between neck flexion and neck pain was found, suggesting an increased risk of neck pain for people working with the neck at a minimum of 20°of flexion for more than 70% of the working time (crude RR 2.01, 95% CI 0.98 to 4.11; adjusted RR 1.63, 95% CI 0.70 to 3.82). No clear relation was found between neck rotation and neck pain. Conclusion-Sitting at work for more than 95% of the working time seems to be a risk factor for neck pain and there is a trend for a positive relation between neck flexion and neck pain. No clear relation was found between neck rotation and neck pain.

Individual, physical and psychological risk factors for neck pain in Australian office workers: a 1-year longitudinal study

“…Sustained cervical postures at work such as forward head posture [6,15] and sustained neck flexion [2,33,35] have been found in previous research to be associated with neck and shoulder pain. For instance, Cagnie et al [6] reported that office workers who hold their neck in a forward bent posture for a prolonged time have 2.6-fold greater odds of developing neck pain.…”

“…Reports of 1-year prevalence vary from 15 to 44% [9,10,33]. Prevalence of neck pain is even higher in office workers than in the general community, reaching levels as high as 50 to 60% [2,6,8,19]. Neck pain can impact on the ability to perform normal daily activities, and the resultant treatment costs and work loss contribute to a substantial economic burden for both the individual and society [1,4,5].…”

Basis for a Functional Capacity Evaluation Methodology for Patients with Work-related Neck Disorders

“…Materials: 20 marbles and two bowls with a 14-cm diameter positioned at crown height and at table height. Table 2 Risk factors operationally defined in: nature of the risk factor (summarized), total duration, intensity, or frequency of the exposure, and the axis (i.e., longitudinal, transversal, sagittal) were the movement or posture of the neck or shoulder was performed Nature of risk factor >90 [53][54][55] X, item consistently referred to, but inconsistently operational defined; MVC, Maximal voluntary contraction; <, less than; >, more than; -, no operational value defined in literature; (A) frequency, intensity, and total duration of the exposure; and (B) the plane or axis were the movements or posture is performing…”

Inter-rater reliability of a video-analysis method measuring low-back load in a field situation

“…Videos of a wide range of manual materials handling (MMH) tasks were selected from the SMASH cohort that has been described before (Ariëns et al, 2001;Hoogendoorn et al, 2000). Briefly, in this cohort, risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders were studied in workers from various industrial and service branches, for example, in the metal, chemical, pharmaceutical, food and wood construction industry; waste processing, insurance and distribution companies.…”