Comparing the effectiveness of integrating ergonomics and motor control to conventional treatment for pain and functional recovery of work‐related neck–shoulder pain: A randomized trial

Abstract

Background Work‐related neck and shoulder pain (WRNSP) is highly prevalent among patients who seek physiotherapy treatment. Clinicians may tend to focus on teaching home exercises and provide general advice about workplace improvement. The present study investigates the short‐ and long‐term impact of an intervention approach that emphasizes on integrating the motor control re‐education with ergonomic advice. Methods Participants diagnosed with WRNSP (n = 101) were randomly assigned into two groups in this randomized controlled trial. The Ergo‐motor Group (EM, n = 51) received an integrated intervention with ergonomic advice/modifications and motor control training individualized for each participant based on their specific work demands. Control Group (CO, n = 50) received treatment for pain relief and general exercises of their necks at a designated physiotherapy clinic. Neck pain intensity and functional outcome measures were assessed before, immediately and 1‐year after the 12‐week intervention programmes. Global Rating of Change Score was used to evaluate the perceived recovery at 1‐year follow‐up. Results Both groups reported significant reductions in pain and functional disability scores at post‐intervention (EM, n = 44; CO, n = 42) and 1‐year follow‐up (EM, n = 40; CO, n = 38); however, no significant between‐group differences were found (p > 0.05). Significantly higher rating in global recovery score was reported in EM group at 1‐year follow‐up (p < 0.05). Conclusions Intervention integrating ergonomic advice/modification with motor control exercise was found to be equally effective as pain relief and general exercise for pain and functional recovery. However, at 1‐year follow‐up, such integrated approach resulted in significantly better global recovery perceived by people with WRNSP. Significance Integrating ergonomic intervention and motor control training achieved similar reduction in pain and functional outcomes compared to conventional physiotherapy at post‐intervention and at 1‐year follow‐up, for patients with moderate level of work‐related neck–shoulder pain and mild degree of functional disability. The Ergo‐motor Group reported significantly better perceived overall recovery at 1‐year follow‐up.

Effects of Ergomotor Intervention on Improving Occupational Health in Workers with Work-Related Neck-Shoulder Pain

“…Other measurements included the self-reported pain score (0-10) and functional outcomes such as the neck disability index (NDI) and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire. These results have been reported in another publication [30]. We also evaluated the biomechanical measures such as surface electromyography and kinematic parameters of neck and shoulder performance [31].…”

“…Both groups of participants reported significant improvement in pain scores and functional outcomes (NDI) with no significant difference between groups [30]. However, there were more apparent differences between groups when examining the occupational exposure measures such as the JRPD and workstyle.…”

“…Each participant was instructed to perform active exercises with the postural correction elements. The training protocol was based on our previous experience in training the UT activity in office workers [30]. In the once-a-week training session, the participant was also trained with wireless real-time surface EMG electrodes attached to the UT and LT muscles during a series of simulation activities.…”

Work from home and musculoskeletal pain in telecommunications workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study

“…Even so, most of our participants (71.6 %) expressed a wish to continue working from home and seem to have accepted it as a new workplace. Considering, however, that this new workplace entails new health and safety risks, especially those related to the development and/or worsening of musculoskeletal pain, we believe that new safety recommendations and preventive measures are required and that the approach to the issue should be multidisciplinary and integrated to improve workers’ condition and minimise work-related pain ( 24 ). We have therefore come up with a few suggestions in this respect.…”

The place of exercise in the treatment and prevention of muscular-skeletal pain (literature review)

“…Про доцільність поліпшення ергономіки робочого місця і необхідності виконання «домашніх завдань» пацієнтом з м'язово-скелетним болем робиться висновок у рандомізованому дослідженні Tsang S. та співавт. [9]. Такий вивод зроблений на основі вивчення короткострокового і довгострокового значення спеціальних фізичних комплексів для лікування болю в спині в поєднанні з ергономічними рекомендаціями у 101 офісного працівника.…”