Effectiveness of an educational and physical program in reducing accompanying symptoms in subjects with head and neck pain: a workplace controlled trial

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational and physical program in reducing behavioral or somatic symptoms along with headache, neck and shoulder pain in a working community. A controlled, non-randomized trial was carried out in a working community and 384 employees were enrolled and divided into a study group (Group 1) and a control group (Group 2). The Group 1 received a physical and educational intervention, consisting of relaxation and posture exercises and the use of visual feedback. After 6 months, the intervention was administered to the Group 2. Both groups were then followed for an additional 6 months until the end of the trial. The presence of accompanying symptoms was investigated with a semi-structured interview using a checklist of 20 items, along with headache, neck, and shoulder pain parameters and the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and depression, in three clinical examinations at baseline, after 6 months and after 12 months. For each symptom, as well as the presence of any type of symptom, the differences between groups in the prevalence at the clinical examinations following the baseline were evaluated by applying logistic models. After 6 months, the probability of the presence of any type of symptom was significantly lower in the Group 1 (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.56–0.85) with respect to the Group 2. After 12 months, the pooled estimation did not show any significant difference of symptom prevalence between groups (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64–1.00). In conclusion, this is the first longitudinal study relative to accompanying symptoms. Its results suggest the effectiveness of this cognitive program in reducing the burden of physical and psychiatric complaints in a large, working population.

Neck pain: rehabilitation

“…An educational program of postural orientation performed with eight to ten repetitions followed by muscle relaxation exercises during ten to fifteen minutes, intended to reduce hyperactivity and contraction maintained in the muscles of the neck and shoulder region, every two or three hours, in group and individually, reduces pain in a significant manner compared to the group that does not receive the educational program (OR 0.69, CI 95% 0.56-0.85). After six months, the group with no treatment started the same exercise educational program and presented the same improvement as the group with exercises (OR 0.80, CI 95% 0.64-1.00) 35…”

Comparison of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials evidence regarding the effectiveness of workplace exercise on musculoskeletal pain control

“…At the end of the selection process, 21 RCT and 12 non RCT satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. From the 12 non RCT retrieved, two studies were classified as double publication for musculoskeletal pain outcomes [35,38] lasting 11 studies for drawing conclusions (Table 1). From the 21 RCTs, one was a double publication [2,7] lasting 20 RCTs for the final analysis (Table 2).…”

Neck Pain and Office Workers

“…It is composed of diverse exercises that have been proven to be efficient in controlling neck pain symptoms by previous studies (1,4,8).…”

“…These steps are: Standing against a wall: First step, subjects must come to a pelvis tilt position to eliminate the lumbar extension ( Figure 2) and hold this position for 10 seconds. Check point: The lumbar spine should be flat and touching the wall Second step, while maintaining pelvis tilt, subjects must bring their shoulders in contact with the wall and hold this position for 10 seconds (8).…”

“…Stretch and extend the head upward and backward, obtaining external rotation of the shoulders (8). The major thoracic is stretched while the scapula remains close to the thoracic cage.…”