| Bernaards et al.2727 Bernaards CM, Ariëns GAM, Knol DL, Hildebrandt VH. The effectiveness of a work style intervention and a lifestyle physical activity intervention on the recovery from neck and upper limb symptoms in computer workers. Pain. 2007;132(1-2):142-53. Netherlands |
To evaluate the effectiveness of a single intervention targeting work style and a combined intervention targeting work style and physical activity in the recovery of neck and upper limb symptoms in computer workers. |
n = 466, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; six months of intervention and a further six months of follow-up, with three measures (baseline, six months and 12 months).
The participants received six monthly interactive meetings lasting 30-90 minutes on body posture during computer use in the sitting position (feet position, spine alignment and support, elbow and wrist angulation, cervical spine tilt, and distance between the eyes and the computer screen) and on moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity in the commuting, occupational, household, and leisure domains (walking, cycling, gardening, housework, and sports), which did not include physical exercise.
They were randomized into:
Work style group (n = 152): body posture meetings;
Work style and physical activity group (n = 156): meetings about body posture and physical activity;
Usual care group (n = 158): do not receive any intervention.
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Reduction in neck and shoulder pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale 0-10 points) at 12 months in the work style group compared to the usual care group.
No significant differences were observed between the work style and physical activity group and the usual care group.
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| Proper et al.2828 Proper KI, de Bruyne MC, Hildebrandt VH, van der Beek AJ, Meerding WJ, van Mechelen W. Costs, benefts and effectiveness of worksite physical activity counseling from the employer’s perspective. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2004;30(1):36-46. Netherlands |
Assess the impact of workplace physical activity counseling using cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses. |
n=299, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; nine months of intervention with seven measurements. All participants received written general lifestyle information (physical activity, nutrition, alcohol, smoking, work stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms).
They were randomized into:
Intervention group (n = 131): written material and seven monthly consultations of 20 minutes each, with individualized counseling directed by the results of the first two consultations, with the objective of promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits;
Control Group (n = 168): received only the written material.
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Reduction in the frequency of upper extremity pain (Nordic Questionnaire, adapted) in the Intervention Group (17.9%) compared to the Control Group (6.2%), but without statistical differences. |
| Andersen et al.2929 Andersen LL, Jørgensen MB, Blangsted AK, Pedersen MT, Hansen EA, Sjøgaard G. A Randomized controlled intervention trial to relieve and prevent neck/shoulder pain. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40(6):983-90. Denmark |
To investigate the effect of three different workplace interventions on long-term compliance, muscle strength gains, and neck/shoulder pain in office workers. |
n=549, symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects; 12-month intervention with three measures (baseline, mid-term, and post-intervention).
They were randomized into:
Specific resistance exercises group (n=180): for neck (lateral flexion in sitting position with a fixed elastic band) and shoulder (lateral and front raise: 3 sets of 15 repetitions with dumbbells) and performed three times a week (twice with instructor present), twenty minutes per session;
Physical activity group (n=187): received counseling on physical activity at work and during leisure time. In addition to instructor visits, which varied from one to four times a month, to perform running and walking activities. They also received pedometers, an eight-minute compact disc with instructions for aerobic and strength exercises (except for the neck and shoulder), an exercise step/platform placed in strategic places (next to the copy machine), and indications for increasing daily physical activity at commuting and leisure;
Control group (n=182): received counseling on physical activity, diet, ergonomics, stress, and work organization.
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Reduction in mid-term neck pain intensity (VAS 0-9 points) in the specific resistance exercise and physical activity groups compared to the reference group, but no differences between the exercise and physical activity groups;
Individuals in the control group, without pain at baseline, triggered greater shoulder pain intensity compared to subjects without pain at baseline in the intervention groups.
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| Schell et al.3030 Schell E, Teorell T, Hasson D, Arnetz B, Saraste H. Impact of a web-based stress management and health promotion program on neck-shoulder-back pain in knowledge workers? 12 month prospective controlled follow-up. J Occup Environ Med. 2008;50(6):667-76. Sweden |
To evaluate the influence of a web-based stress management and health promotion program on intensity and occurrence of neck/ shoulder and back pain and on the association of perceived pain with stress in a prospective, controlled study. |
n=232, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; six months of intervention and a further 6 months of follow-up with three measures (baseline, 6 months and 12 months).
Group I (n=55): received access to a web-based device, on which they performed real-time monitoring of current health perception and stress status through a diary and also access to information about stress and health promotion, which could be printed and used for reading and practice elsewhere. The device also contained a program of classic stress management exercises, with relaxation and sleep improvement, cognitive reframing, time management, emotional control and self-awareness, strengthening self-esteem, life reflection, and dissociation, as well as the possibility of chatting with other participants;
Group II (n = 71): access to the device for daily monitoring, with information about stress and health promotion with the possibility of printing the material;
Control group (n = 106): did not receive any intervention.
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Reductions in pain intensity (VAS 0-10 points) in the lumbar region for group I at 6 months and in the lumbar region, neck and shoulder for group II at 12 months in comparison to the Control Group. In the intragroup analyses, a reduction in total pain intensity was observed for group II at 12 months, measured by summing the points of the four 0-10 point pain scales (cervical, shoulder, thoracic, and lumbar spine) on a 0-40 point VAS adapted by the authors of the study. |
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Sitthipornvorakul et al.3131 Sitthipornvorakul E, Sihawong R, Waongenngarm P, Janwantanakul P. The effects of walking intervention on preventing neck pain in ofice workers: a randomized controlled trial. J Occup Health. 2020;62(1):e12106.
Thailand
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To evaluate the effectiveness of increasing daily walking steps on the 6-month incidence of neck pain in office workers. |
n=91, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; six-month intervention with six measurements (one per month).
Intervention Group (n=50): received an app on their smartphone with daily step goals to be achieved during the six-month intervention. Participants were instructed to carry the smartphone with the app in their pocket from getting up in the morning until going back to bed at night. The daily step goals were calculated based on a cohort study of increased daily steps and incidence of neck pain in office workers, a calculation that estimated the number of daily steps that could prevent neck pain. Participants wrote down daily on the app the number of daily steps and the sensation/intensity of neck pain, measured by a 0-100 point Visual Analog Scale, and received incentives for each daily goal achieved.
Control Group (n = 41): did not receive any intervention.
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In the six-month period, subjects in the Intervention Group reported less frequent neck pain (22%) compared to the Control Group (34%). However, no differences were observed regarding pain intensity (VAS 0-10 points). |
| Tsauo et al.3232 Tsauo JY, Lee HY, Hsu JH, Chen CY, Chen CJ. Physical exercise and health education for neck and shoulder complaints among sedentary workers. J Rehabil Med. 2004;36(6):253-7. China |
Develop a workplace exercise program to relieve neck and shoulder symptoms and compare the effectiveness of 3 types of execution models. |
n=178, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; two-week intervention and 3-month follow-up with three measures (baseline, two weeks and three months).
Participants received a two-hour lecture on anatomy of the neck and shoulder region, practical demonstration of stretching exercises (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, 10 repetitions for each with a 5-second interval), printed material describing the exercises to take home and two weeks of exercises at the workplace with advice to keep exercising on their own for another three months. They were randomized into:
Self-exercise group (n=56): performed exercises alone during the breaks, with a physical therapist available to answer any questions; Supervised exercise group I (n = 69): held daily 15-20 minute sessions with demonstration;
Supervised exercise group II (n = 14): performed twice daily, before and after work, 15-20 minute sessions, with supervision in one of the sessions;
Control group (n = 39): received only the lecture and printed material.
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The supervised exercise II group had a lower frequency (Nordic Questionnaire: last seven days) of pain in the shoulder and thoracic spine region at three months compared to the other groups. |
| Barone Gibbs et al.3333 Barone Gibbs B, Hergenroeder AL, Perdomo SJ, Kowalsky RJ, Delitto A, Jakicic JM. Reducing sedentary behaviour to decrease chronic low back pain: the stand back randomised trial. Occup Environ Med. 2018;75(5):321-7. United States |
To evaluate the feasibility and effects of a multi-component intervention on pain in desk workers with chronic low back pain. |
n=27, symptomatic individuals; six-month intervention with six monthly measurements
Intervention Group (n = 13): received behavioral counseling, initially through a 75-90 minute lecture, which included education about the health risks of sedentary behavior and pain self-management. The counseling included improved nutrition, reduction of alcohol, smoking, stress, and gradual reduction of time in sitting posture, inserting moments of standing or short walks in the workplace, and later activities such as walking or biking on the commute and involvements in sports activities in leisure. In addition to a desk attachment that made it possible to work standing up and a device to use on the wrist that emitted an alert signal every 30 minutes without moving. With the signal, the subjects were advised to walk for 2 to 3 minutes; The lecture was followed by monthly 10-15 minute phone contacts; Control Group (n = 14): did not receive any intervention;
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Reduction in low back pain intensity (Oswestry Disability Index - ODI) in the Intervention Group compared to the Control Group, but no differences in the 0-10 point VAS; Reduction in pain frequency (p=0.04) in the Intervention Group (54%) compared to the Control Group (14%). |
| Johnston et al.3434 Johnston V, Gane EM, Brown W, Vicenzino B, Healy GN, Gilson N, Smith MD. Feasibility and impact of sit-stand workstations with and without exercise in ofice workers at risk of low back pain: a pilot comparative effectiveness trial. Appl Ergon. 2019;76:82-9. Australia |
Compare the feasibility and impact of standstand workstations plus advice, with or without exercise, on low back pain and sitting time in office workers at risk for low back pain. |
n=29, asymptomatic individuals; four weeks of intervention with two measures (pre and post-intervention);
All participants received a customized workstation with adjustable height and angulations that made it possible to work both standing and sitting, in addition to verbal and written advice to start with short periods of standing (10 min) and to spend no more than 30 minutes sitting. Participants were advised to gradually accumulate at least two to four hours standing per day during working hours and to gradually increase the level of general physical activity (leisure and commuting), such as using stairs instead of elevator, cycling to work, and engaging in sports activities;
They were randomized into:
Workstation Group (n=13): received the workstation and the counseling;
Workstation + Exercises Group (n=16): received the workstation, the counseling, and a standardized progressive resistance exercise program (arm and leg extensions with knees and hand supported on the floor, bridge; wall squats and hip abduction on the floor in lateral lying position). Taught by a physical therapist in 20-minute sessions with two sets of 20 repetitions, three times a week during the work shift. Each participant received a yoga mat to perform the exercises comfortably at work.
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Both groups showed a reduction in maximum low back pain intensity (VAS 0-10 points) post-intervention. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. |
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