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Group-based exercise at workplace: short-term effects of neck and shoulder resistance training in video display unit workers with work-related chronic neck pain—a pilot randomized trial

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Abstract

Effectiveness of exercise therapy in video display unit (VDU) workers with work-related chronic neck pain (W-RCNP) is unclear. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of group-based neck-shoulder resistance exercises on symptoms and muscular function in VDU workers with W-RCNP. Thirty-five employees with CNP were randomly assigned to neck-shoulder resistance exercise (NSRE) group or to conventional stretching and postural exercise (SPE) group. Participants trained 45 min, twice a week for 7 weeks. Primary outcomes were pain intensity (0–10 numeric rating scale, NRS) and pain-related disability (Vernon Neck Disability Index, NDI). Secondary outcomes were cervical active range of motion (AROM), endurance of neck flexors, strength of shoulder abductors, and health-related quality of life (SF-36). Post-treatment, pain and disability decreased 2.5 and 5 points in NSRE (p = 0.001) and 5 and 8 points in SPE (p = 0.002), with no significant differences between groups. AROM improved significantly in both groups; between-group differences were not significant. Neck flexors endurance and shoulder abductors strength improved by 59.6 and 34.2% (p = 0.001) in the NSRE group and by 27.6% (p = 0.009) and 2.3% (p = 0.002) in the SPE group; between-group differences were significant (p = 0.016 and p < 0.001, respectively). SF-36 score remained unchanged. NSRE and SPE are feasible and equally effective in reducing pain and pain-related disability as group exercises in W-RCNP. NSRE may provide some advantage in improving strength and endurance in neck muscles. Further, larger studies should confirm these findings and assess whether a better muscle function confers long-term clinical advantages.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Alfredo Mira for the assistance in the recruitment of participants and Dr. Manuel Bejarano-Bache and Dr. Eleonora Pagni for the assistance in the assessment of participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Allied Health Professionals, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla,3, 50134, Florence, Italy

    Giuseppa M. Caputo

  2. Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain

    Giuseppa M. Caputo

  3. Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Mauro Di Bari

  4. Department of Sports and Statistics, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain

    José Naranjo Orellana

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  1. Giuseppa M. Caputo
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  2. Mauro Di Bari
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Correspondence to Giuseppa M. Caputo.

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The Research Ethics Committee of the Pablo de Olavide University approved the study (reference: 1/2012) that was performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. All participants provided written informed consent prior to commencing the study.

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Caputo, G.M., Di Bari, M. & Naranjo Orellana, J. Group-based exercise at workplace: short-term effects of neck and shoulder resistance training in video display unit workers with work-related chronic neck pain—a pilot randomized trial. Clin Rheumatol 36, 2325–2333 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-017-3629-2

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