The Efficiency of Ergonomics, Active Break and Stretching Exercise Program in Office Workers with Chronic Neck and Back Pain

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic neck, shoulder and back pain in office workers is increasing rapidly. Chronic musculoskeletal pain has great socioeconomic impact as it is associated with reduced work performance and poor quality of life. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of ergonomic modification, active rest, and stretching exercise programs on office workers' neck, upper back and shoulder pain. In our study, 74 patients aged between 22-50 years working in the office at the computer were evaluated. Brochures including ergonomic modification, active rest and stretching exercise program were given to the patients and necessary information was given. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate neck, shoulder and back pain and neck disability index (NDI) was used to evaluate functional outcomes. Evaluations were performed before treatment and at the first and third months after treatment. The VAS value, which was 5.39 ± 0.62 before the treatment, was 2.86 ± 1.40 at the first month after the treatment and 2.66 ± 1.15 at the third month after the treatment, and this improvement in the VAS score was statistically significant (p<0.01). While the NDI score was 21.91 ± 1.40 before the treatment, it was calculated as 12.77 ± 5.39 in the first month after the treatment and 12.02 ± 4.93 in the third month after the treatment, and this improvement in the NDI score was statistically significant (p<0.01). In conclusion, neck, shoulder and upper back pain can be reduced in patients working in the office environment with the help of ergonomics, stretching, and taking active breaks as much as working conditions allow.

Keywords

• Office workers
• pain
• neck
• stretching
• ergonomics

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