Effect of One Period of Exercise-Therapy and an Engonomic Intervention on the Rate of Chronic Neck Pain and Disability in Computer Users

Abstract

Aims: Neck pain is a common disorder among computer users that can reduce the personal yield. So the prevention of it is an important matter in computer users. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a period of exercise therapy and an ergonomic intervention on chronic neck pain and disability among computer users. Materials & Methods:In this quasi-experimental cross-sectional study in 2012, 30 female computer users of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences with at least 6 months experience of neck pain were selected purposefully by a demographic questionnaire. Subjects were located in experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group received therapeutic exercises and ergonomic intervention for two months but control group received no therapeutic intervention. The rate of neck pain and disability was measured by chronic neck pain and disability index questionnaire before and after of exercise therapy and ergonomic intervention. Data were analyzed by independent T test and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS 16 software. Findings: There were significant differences between mean of chronic neck pain and disability scores of the two groups (p<0.05). But there were no significant relationships between neck pain, disability and the subjects' work experience. Conclusion: Exercise therapy along with ergonomic intervention is useful for treatment of chronic neck pain.

Home schooling during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial of online exercise and ergonomics advice protocols on upper body symptoms

“…The results of the trial showed that both approaches (exercise + ergonomics advice and 34 Maroufi et al on neck pain in nurses, 35 and Miri et al on chronic neck pain and disability in computer users. 36 Those studies, though, differed from the present study in that they were in person, with physical interaction, under typical working conditions, and involved adults.…”

The Effect of Self-management Exercises on Neck Pain and Head and Neck Angles among Iranian University Employees: An Interventional Study

“…The reason for choosing 12 weeks for intervention was similar research in this field and proper access to samples [5,34]. The participants were contacted by telephone or text message at the end of each week and on pre-determined days to monitor and encourage exercise performance and answer questions about the correction exercise protocol during the study [20]. At the end of 12 weeks of exercise, pain intensity, angles, and a change in head position were re-determined in both groups.…”

“…Based on studies, exercise in the neck and shoulders is useful as a treatment for pain relief and improved function [19]. Many studies have focused on the effect of exercises on neck pain in employees; however, there is conflicting evidence of their benefits [8,20]. They primarily have been performed at artificial or simulated workstations [21,22], while the present study has been conducted at the individual workstation.…”

Effect of a Virtual Educational-Training Program on Behavioral Changes Related to Preventing Neck Pain Strategies among Nurses Working in Lorestan Province, Iran

“…Our results were in line with Farahabadi et al [17] who showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in nurses is high and also recommended ergonomics workshops and preventive tasks. Ergonomic interventions were also recommended in other studies by Shokati et al [18] , Maroufi et al [11] , Rokni et al [19] , Miri et al [20] , and Dehdashti et al [21] . In these studies, as in the present study, it was confirmed that due to the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, inappropriate posture at work and harmful work environments, ergonomic interventions can be a good solution to reduce pressure on the neck and trunk during work.…”