File
Jun D1, Venerina J2, McPhail S3, O'Leary S2
1Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wooloongabba, Australia, 2University of Queensland, St.Lucia, Australia, 3Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Background: A direct quantitative measure of postural behaviour (percent of time spent in neutral upper body posture) during office work using wireless sensors has not been an outcome assessment in a longitudinal investigation for the development of neck pain.
Purpose: To evaluate the association between non-neutral head/thoracic posture during computer work and the development of neck pain in office workers
Methods: At baseline, asymptomatic office workers from Brisbane, Australia (n = 158), and Daegu, Korea (n = 62) participated in a 60 minute posture assessment using 3-D motion sensors located on the head, thoracic spine, and upper arm while performing usual work.. The primary outcome, a new episode of interfering neck pain (defined as limitation of daily activity or medical treatment) was reported via an online monthly questionnaire for one year. Analyses were adjusted for potential covariates: cervical muscle strength/endurance, upper limb range of motion, job strain (Job Content Questionnaire), coping strategies at work (Coping with Job Stress Scale), and ergonomic factors.
Results: Workers who maintained their thoracic and head in neutral postures (between 10° extension and 10° flexion thoracic posture, and between 5° extension and 10° flexion head posture) for 10% longer were 1.36 times less likely to develop a new episode of neck pain during the following 12 months ((Hazard Ratio = 0.97, (95%CI 0.07 - 0.52) per one 1% increment of time). However, the prevention effect of neutral posture was not significant when cervical flexor muscles had poor endurance (interaction effect detected).
Conclusion(s): Adopting a neutral posture of the head and thorax may prevent the development of neck pain.
Greater endurance of cervical flexor muscles may contribute to the prevention effect of neutral posture on the development of neck pain
Implications: Together, with the findings of increased time spent in neutral posture reducing the incidence of neck pain, it would appear that both posture and muscle endurance are important potentially to counterbalance each other for optimal postural control of the cervical spine and the minimisation of potentially painful strain to the neck in office workers.
Keywords: Neck pain, office workers, posture
Funding acknowledgements: This study within was funded by an Office Ergonomics Research Committee (OERC, USA).
Purpose: To evaluate the association between non-neutral head/thoracic posture during computer work and the development of neck pain in office workers
Methods: At baseline, asymptomatic office workers from Brisbane, Australia (n = 158), and Daegu, Korea (n = 62) participated in a 60 minute posture assessment using 3-D motion sensors located on the head, thoracic spine, and upper arm while performing usual work.. The primary outcome, a new episode of interfering neck pain (defined as limitation of daily activity or medical treatment) was reported via an online monthly questionnaire for one year. Analyses were adjusted for potential covariates: cervical muscle strength/endurance, upper limb range of motion, job strain (Job Content Questionnaire), coping strategies at work (Coping with Job Stress Scale), and ergonomic factors.
Results: Workers who maintained their thoracic and head in neutral postures (between 10° extension and 10° flexion thoracic posture, and between 5° extension and 10° flexion head posture) for 10% longer were 1.36 times less likely to develop a new episode of neck pain during the following 12 months ((Hazard Ratio = 0.97, (95%CI 0.07 - 0.52) per one 1% increment of time). However, the prevention effect of neutral posture was not significant when cervical flexor muscles had poor endurance (interaction effect detected).
Conclusion(s): Adopting a neutral posture of the head and thorax may prevent the development of neck pain.
Greater endurance of cervical flexor muscles may contribute to the prevention effect of neutral posture on the development of neck pain
Implications: Together, with the findings of increased time spent in neutral posture reducing the incidence of neck pain, it would appear that both posture and muscle endurance are important potentially to counterbalance each other for optimal postural control of the cervical spine and the minimisation of potentially painful strain to the neck in office workers.
Keywords: Neck pain, office workers, posture
Funding acknowledgements: This study within was funded by an Office Ergonomics Research Committee (OERC, USA).
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine; Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: The University of Queensland
Ethics committee: Institutional Medical Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: 2014000308
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
