Preventive Chair Massage with Algometry to Maintain Psychosomatic Balance in White-Collar Workers

Abstract

People working at computers often suffer from overload-related muscle pain, and physical and mental discomfort. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chair massage, conducted in the workplace among white-collar workers, in relieving symptoms of musculoskeletal strain related to prolonged sitting posture. The study was conducted in 124 white-collar workers, 55 women and 69 men, aged 33.7 ± 7.6 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: chair massage program, relaxing music sessions, and a control group, each of four-week duration. Each group was evaluated before and after the program completion. Pain perception was assessed algometrically as a threshold for compression pain of neck muscles, measured in kg/cm. The relaxation level was assessed from the heart rate variability. We found that the chair massage increased both the pain threshold in all tested muscles (p < 0.001) and the relaxation level from 31.9% to 41.6% (p < 0.05). In the group with music sessions, muscle pain threshold remained unchanged, except for the trapezoid muscle where it decreased (p < 0.05), while the relaxation level increased from 26.0% to 33.3% (p < 0.05). In both massage and relaxing music groups, there was a significant decrease in muscle tension (p < 0.01). Changes in the control group were inappreciable. We conclude that the chair massage performed in the workplace is an effective method for prevention of musculoskeletal overstrain related to prolonged sitting posture. The program seems worth implementing in various occupational environments.

Impact of Exercises and Chair Massage on Musculoskeletal Pain of Young Musicians

“…The respondents from groups I and II positively assessed the applied treatments, evaluating the suitability of the program at around nine on a 10-point scale of assessment. Similar results were obtained by other researchers using this form of prophylaxis of musculoskeletal problems among other professional groups [ 21 , 38 , 39 ]. Special attention was paid to such benefits as reduction of stress, improvement of sleep comfort, reduction of pain, headaches, as well as reduction of tension and stress, the participants reported relaxation and inflow of energy, and increased mobility of the cervical spine [ 22 , 40 ].…”

“…It is a treatment lasting from 15 to 20 min, in a special chair. During the treatment, the physiotherapist performs massage techniques, acupressure and stretching, focusing mainly on the area around the neck, head, upper limbs and back [ 20 , 21 ]. Chair massage as a form of prophylaxis has also been used among other professional groups exposed to musculoskeletal overload [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Effects of Acute Prolonged Sitting and Interrupting Prolonged Sitting on Heart Rate Variability and Heart Rate in Adults: A Meta-Analysis

“…Of these, 29 randomized cross-over trials underwent full text screening and 8 were excluded (Chaput and Tremblay, 2007 ; Bourdin et al, 2010 ; Jean-François et al, 2010 ; Larsen et al, 2014 ; Restaino et al, 2015 ; Botter et al, 2016 ; Garten et al, 2018 ; Snarr et al, 2019 ). The final analysis included 22 studies (27 trials) with 21 studies reporting HR data (Shvartz et al, 1983 ; Chowienczyk et al, 1994 ; Higgins et al, 2011 , 2019 ; Thosar et al, 2012 ; De Brito et al, 2015 ; Restaino et al, 2015 ; Wennberg et al, 2016 ; Barone Gibbs et al, 2017b ; Cabak et al, 2017 ; Vranish et al, 2017 ; Carter et al, 2018 ; Garten et al, 2018 ; Horiuchi et al, 2018 ; Sperlich et al, 2018 ; Credeur et al, 2019 ; Dogra et al, 2019 ; Evans et al, 2019 ; Kowalsky et al, 2019 ; Cheng-Hsuan et al, 2020 ; Headid et al, 2020 ) and seven studies reporting HRV data (Shvartz et al, 1983 ; Chowienczyk et al, 1994 ; Thosar et al, 2012 ; Restaino et al, 2015 ; Cabak et al, 2017 ; Kruse et al, 2018 ; Credeur et al, 2019 ). Additionally, 13 of the HR studies reported interruption conditions to the bout of prolonged sitting (De Brito et al, 2015 ; Wennberg et al, 2016 ; Barone Gibbs et al, 2017b ; Cabak et al, 2017 ; Vranish et al, 2017 ; Carter et al, 2018 ; Garten et al, 2018 ; Kruse et al, 2018 ; Sperlich et al, 2018 ; Dogra et al, 2019 ; Evans et al, 2019 ; Kowalsky et al, 2019 ; Headid et al, 2020 ), however there were not enough HRV studies reporting interruption conditions (Cabak et al, 2017 ; Kruse et al, ...…”

“…At present specific guidelines for interrupting sitting behavior, i.e., what to substitute prolonged sitting behavior with, are lacking. Interruption strategies including standing (Wennberg et al, 2016 ; Barone Gibbs et al, 2017b ; Carter et al, 2018 ; Kruse et al, 2018 ; Dogra et al, 2019 ), walking (De Brito et al, 2015 ; Evans et al, 2019 ; Kowalsky et al, 2019 ), cycling (Sperlich et al, 2018 ; Dogra et al, 2019 ), calf-raises (Cabak et al, 2017 ), or strength training (Garten et al, 2018 ; Headid et al, 2020 ) have been tested. However, the findings have been inconsistent and the optimal strategy for interrupting prolonged sitting remains unknown.…”

“…The purpose of this meta-analysis was to consolidate the literature investigating the effects of acute prolonged sitting on the cardio-autonomic system, specifically the HR and heart rate variability (HRV) responses (Shvartz et al, 1983 ; Moher et al, 2009 ; Higgins et al, 2011 , 2019 ; Thosar et al, 2012 ; De Brito et al, 2015 ; Restaino et al, 2015 ; Wennberg et al, 2016 ; Barone Gibbs et al, 2017b ; Cabak et al, 2017 ; Kerr et al, 2017 ; Vranish et al, 2017 ; Carter et al, 2018 ; Garten et al, 2018 ; Horiuchi et al, 2018 ; Kruse et al, 2018 ; Sperlich et al, 2018 ; Credeur et al, 2019 ; Dogra et al, 2019 ; Evans et al, 2019 ; Kowalsky et al, 2019 ; Headid et al, 2020 ). Additionally, a secondary purpose of this meta-analysis was to increase our understanding with regard to how interrupting sitting may attenuate CVD effects of prolonged sitting such as HR when available.…”