Volume 11, Issue 2 (Spring 2022)                   J Occup Health Epidemiol 2022, 11(2): 138-147 | Back to browse issues page


XML Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Tabanfar S, Safari Variani A, Sobhani S, Varmazyar S. The Effect of Self-management Exercises on Neck Pain and Head and Neck Angles among Iranian University Employees: An Interventional Study. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2022; 11 (2) :138-147
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-556-en.html

Related article in
Google Scholar

1- M.Sc in Occupational Health Engineering, Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran.
2- Associate Prof., Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Qazvin University of medical sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
3- Associate Prof., Dept. of Occupational Health engineering. Social Determinants of Health Research Center and Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases. Faculty of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. , svarmazyar@qums.ac.ir
Article history
Received: 2022/02/14
Accepted: 2022/07/23
ePublished: 2022/08/22
Abstract:   (1257 Views)
Background: Long-term computer use as an ergonomics risk factor can generate musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the neck. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a self-management exercises intervention on both neck pain, and head and neck angles among university employees in 2021.
Materials & Methods: This experimental study was performed on 85 university staff (experimental group (N=42) and control group (N=43)) who were randomly selected based on inclusion criteria from the list of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (Iran) employees. The experimental group did the exercises for 12 weeks with five 15-minute sessions per week. The severity of neck pain was determined using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Head and neck angles were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks using photogrammetry and Kinovea software in two postures (reading and typing).
Results: About 60% of the participants in the experimental group reported moderate and severe neck pain, decreasing to 26.2% after the intervention. The score of neck pain intensity in the experimental group decreased in the range of 1.15-1.75. The head and gaze tilt angles and head forward position after the intervention in the experimental group showed a significant decrease. Also, the head tilt angle was significantly increased after the intervention.
Conclusions: The results showed that exercises could be beneficial in improving the posture of the head and neck, which caused reducing the severity of neck pain among computer users.
 
Full-Text [PDF 464 kb]   (509 Downloads)    

References
1. Alzaid AN, Alshadokhi OA, Alnasyan AY, Al Towairqi MY, Alotaibi TM, Aldossary FH. The prevalence of neck pain and the relationship between prolonged use of electronic devices and neck pain in: a Saudi Arabia, cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia, Egypt. Country: Egypt. 2018;70(11):1992-9. [DOI]
2. Masoumi AS, Akoochakian M. The Effect of Duration of Smartphone Use on Head and Shoulders Posture of Young Adults Aged 20-35 Years. Iran J Ergon. 2019;7(2):62-71. [SID]
3. Sikka I, Chawla C, Seth S, Alghadir AH, Khan M. Effects of Deep Cervical Flexor Training on Forward Head Posture, Neck Pain, and Functional Status in Adolescents Using Computer Regularly. BioMed Res Int. 2020;2020:8327565. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
4. Sihawong R, Janwantanakul P, Sitthipornvorakul E, Pensri P. Exercise therapy for office workers with nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(1):62-71. [DOI] [PMID]
5. Louw S, Makwela S, Manas L, Meyer L, Terblanche D, Brink Y. Effectiveness of exercise in office workers with neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. S Afr J Physiother 2017;73(1):392. [DOI]
6. Cho CY, Hwang YS, Cherng RJ. Musculoskeletal symptoms and associated risk factors among office workers with high workload computer use. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012;35(7):534-40. [DOI] [PMID]
7. Szeto G, To D, Tsang S, Wong A, Dai J, Madeleine P, editors. Neck postures during smartphone use in university students and office workers: A field study. Congress of the International Ergonomics Association; 2018: Springer. [DOI]
8. Tunwattanapong P, Kongkasuwan R, Kuptniratsaikul V. The effectiveness of a neck and shoulder stretching exercise program among office workers with neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(1):64-72. [DOI] [PMID]
9. Delshad MH, Tavafian SS, Kazemnejad A. Educational intervention for promoting stretching exercise behavior among a sample of Iranian office employees: applying the Health Promotion Model. J Pain Res. 2019;12:733-742. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
10. Azizi A, Dargahi A, Amirian F, Mohammadi M, Mohammadi S, Oghabi MA, et al. Investigation the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among factories packaging workers in Kermanshah (2015). c Medwell Journals. 2016;10(4):319-324. [Article]
11. Sitthipornvorakul E, Sihawong R, Waongenngarm P, Janwantanakul P. The effects of walking intervention on preventing neck pain in office workers: A randomized controlled trial. J Occup Health. 2020;62(1):e12106. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
12. Basakci Calik B, Yagci N, Oztop M, Caglar D. Effects of risk factors related to computer use on musculoskeletal pain in office workers. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022;28(1):269-74. [DOI] [PMID]
13. Ehsani F, Mosallanezhad Z, Vahedi G. The prevalence, risk factors and consequences of neck pain in office employees. Middle East J of Rehab Health. 2017;4(2):e42031. [DOI]
14. Singh B, Singh S. Intervention approaches in management of neck pain among computer users. Int J Rehabil Res. 2016;5(2):19. [DOI]
15. Lee J, Lee M, Lim T, Kim T, Kim S, Suh D, et al. Effectiveness of an application-based neck exercise as a pain management tool for office workers with chronic neck pain and functional disability: a pilot randomized trial. Eur J Integr Med. 2017;12:87-92. [DOI]
16. Alfawaz S, Lohman E, Alameri M, Daher N, Jaber H. Effect of adding stretching to standardized procedures on cervical range of motion, pain, and disability in patients with non-specific mechanical neck pain: A randomized clinical trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020;24(3):50-8. [DOI] [PMID]
17. Wade A. The impact of digital media use on the musculoskeletal and visual systems. In: Moreno MA, Hoopes AJ, eds,Technology and Adolescent Health In Schools and Beyond. United States: Elsevier; 2020. p. 365-80
18. SHariat A, Tamrin SBM, Danaee M. Absence of physical exercise and incidence of musculoskeletal discomforts among office workers: a short review. J Hum Factors Ergon. 2017;1(2):16-21. [Article]
19. Li X, Lin C, Liu C, Ke S, Wan Q, Luo H, et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of resistance training in women with chronic computer-related neck pain: a randomized controlled study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2017;90(7):673-83. [DOI] [PMID]
20. Miri M, Hashemizade H, Mohammadpour A, Zaheri H. Effect of one period of exercise-therapy and an engonomic intervention on the rate of chronic neck pain and disability in computer users. Intern Med Today. 2015;21(3):197-203. [DOI]
21. Szeto GP, Straker L, Raine S. A field comparison of neck and shoulder postures in symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers. Apply ergon. 2002;33(1):75-84. [DOI] [PubMed]
22. Kocur P, Wilski M, Goliwąs M, Lewandowski J, Łochyński D. Influence of forward head posture on myotonometric measurements of superficial neck muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness in asymptomatic individuals with sedentary jobs. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2019;42(3):195-202. [DOI] [PMID]
23. Shahidi B, Curran-Everett D, Maluf k. Psychological, neurophysiological, and physical risk factors for development of chronic neck pain: A Prospective Inception Cohort Study. J Pain. 2015; 16(12):1288-99. [DOI] [PMID]
24. Daher A, Carel RS, Tzipi K, Esther H, Dar G. The effectiveness of an aerobic exercise training on patients with neck pain during a short-and long-term follow-up: a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2020;34(5):617-29. [DOI] [PMID]
25. Ehsani F, Mohseni-Bandpei MA, Fernández-De-Las-Peñas C, Javanshir K. Neck pain in Iranian school teachers: Prevalence and risk factors. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2018;22(1):64-8. [DOI] [PMID]
26. Alinia N, Norasteh AA, Majlan AS, Zarei H. The Effect of Selected Exercise Program on Musculoskeletal Pain of Neck and Shoulder in Violinist. J Clin Physiother Res. 2019;4(1):e4. [DOI]
27. Guan X, Fan G, Wu X, Zeng Y, Su H, Gu G, et al. Photographic measurement of head and cervical posture when viewing mobile phone: a pilot study. Eur Spine J. 2015;24(12):2892-8. [DOI] [PMID]
28. Candan SA, Sahin UK, Akoğlu S. The investigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among female workers in a hazelnut factory: Prevalence, working posture, work-related and psychosocial factors. Int J Ind Ergon. 2019;74:102838. [DOI]
29. Ning X, Huang Y, Hu B, Nimbarte AD. Neck kinematics and muscle activity during mobile device operations. Int J Ind Ergon. 2015;48:10-5. [DOI]
30. Puig-Diví A, Escalona-Marfil C, Padullés-Riu JM, Busquets A, Padullés-Chando X, Marcos-Ruiz D. Validity and reliability of the Kinovea program in obtaining angles and distances using coordinates in 4 perspectives. PloS one. 2019;14(6):e0216448. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
31. Jaroenrungsup Y, Kanchanomai S, Khruakhorn S. Effects of self-posture correction exercise in forward head posture of smartphone users. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol. 2021;43(2):439-47. [DOI]
32. Kong Y-S, Kim Y-M, Shim J-m. The effect of modified cervical exercise on smartphone users with forward head posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017;29(2):328-31. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
33. Taheri H, Ghaderi J, Shirzad H. The evaluation of the effect of therapeutic exercises programs on the rate of chronic neck pain and disability in police staff of Lorestan. J Police Med. 2014;3(3):193-202. [DOI]
34. Pereira M, Comans T, Sjøgaard G, Straker L, Melloh M, O'Leary S, et al. The impact of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion interventions on office worker productivity: A cluster-randomized trial. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2019;45(1):42-52. [DOI] [PMID]
35. Chung S, Jeong Y-G. Effects of the craniocervical flexion and isometric neck exercise compared in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial. Physiother Theory Pract. 2018;34(12):916-25. [DOI] [PMID]
36. Choi W. Effect of 4 Weeks of Cervical Deep Muscle Flexion Exercise on Headache and Sleep Disorder in Patients with Tension Headache and Forward Head Posture. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(7):3410. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
37. Celenay ST, Kaya DO, Akbayrak T. Cervical and scapulothoracic stabilization exercises with and without connective tissue massage for chronic mechanical neck pain: A prospective, randomised controlled trial. Man Ther. 2016;21:144-50. [DOI] [PMID]
38. Babaei Khorzoghi M, Nadi MA, Rahnama N, Sajjadian P. Comparative effect of exercise therapy and ergonomics methods based on a virtual space on computer users with neck pain. J Res Health. 2017;7(3):869-76. [DOI]
39. Lee M, Lee SH, Kim T, Yoo H-J, Kim SH, Suh D-W, et al. Feasibility of a smartphone-based exercise program for office workers with neck pain: an individualized approach using a self-classification algorithm. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;98(1):80-7. [DOI] [PMID]
40. Suvarnnato T, Puntumetakul R, Uthaikhup S, Boucaut R. Effect of specific deep cervical muscle exercises on functional disability, pain intensity, craniovertebral angle, and neck-muscle strength in chronic mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Pain Res. 2019;12:915-25. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
41. Szczygieł E, Sieradzki B, Masłoń A, Golec J, Czechowska D, Węglarz K, et al. Assessing the impact of certain exercises on the spatial head posture. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):43-51. [DOI] [PMID]
42. Chiou W, Chou W, Chen B. Notebook computer use with different monitor tilt angle: Effects on posture, muscle activity and discomfort of neck pain users. Work. 2012;41:2591-5. [DOI] [PMID]
43. Do YL, Nam CW, Sung YB, Kim K, Lee HY. Changes in rounded shoulder posture and forward head posture according to exercise methods. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017;29(10):1824-7. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
44. Oh Y-T. Effect of McKenzie Stretch Exercise and Sports Massage on the Forward Head Posture. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2018;14(2):91-7. [DOI]
45. Hajihosseini E, Norasteh AA, Shamsi A, Daneshmandi H. The effect of 6 weeks strength training, stretching and comprehensive corrective exercises on forward head incorrect posture. J Mod Rehabil . 2016;9(5);38-48. [Article]
46. Standring S. Gray's Anatomy Elsevier eBook on VitalSource (Retail Access Card): The anatomical basis of clinical practice. 42nd ed. China: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2021.
47. Letafatkar A, Rabiei P, Alamooti G, Bertozzi L, Farivar N, Afshari M. Effect of therapeutic exercise routine on pain, disability, posture, and health status in dentists with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2020;93(3):281-90. [DOI] [PMID]
48. Azeem MT, Siddique EI, Zulqernain F, Irfan T, Awan MZ. Correlation of Musculoskeletal Dysfunctions with Enhanced Computer Usage and Prescription of Management Strategies, In Computer Users of Afro Asian Institute, Lahore (Pakistan). J health med nurs. 2020;71: 70-74 [DOI]

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

© 2024 CC BY-NC 4.0 | Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb