Corrective exercises administered online vs at the workplace for pain and function in the office workers with upper crossed syndrome: Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of online-supervised versus workplace corrective exercises on neck-shoulder pain (NSP), sick-leave, postural angles, workability, and electromyography (EMG) of interest muscles among the office workers with the upper crossed syndrome (UCS). Methods We performed a parallel-group randomized control trial at Shahid Beheshti University (SBU), Tehran, Iran. The office workers (n=36) were randomly assigned to online-supervised, workplace, and control groups (each: n= 12). The two intervention groups completed the exercise program for eight weeks, while the control group continued usual activities. Primary (NSP and sick-leave) and secondary outcomes (forward head posture, round shoulders, and round back angles), workability, EMG (upper, middle, lower trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and serratus anterior) were measured using visual analog scale (VAS), questionnaire, photogrammetry, and EMG, respectively. All measurements were performed at the baseline and an 8-week follow-up. Results In both intervention groups, paired t-tests results demonstrated significant differences in NSP, forward head posture, round shoulders, and round back, respectively. In the online-supervised, workability (physical and mental) improved, and upper trapezius and serratus anterior differed in Max., Ave., activation, offset timing changed in the upper trapezius, respectively. Using ANCOVA, the online-supervised group revealed significant differences, including NSP, postural angles, physical and mental workability, and upper trapezius muscle activation. The sick-leave and other variables were not the cases in all groups. Conclusion Online-supervised corrective exercise seems to improve a range of parameters related to work performance. These findings are highly applicable in light of the ongoing COVID pandemic; many workers have to work from home.