P02.27
Purpose: Objective: Office workers frequently experience non-specific neck and upper shoulder pain due to prolonged forward head posture while working. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of: 1) Active Muscle Therapy (AMT)-eccentric resistance combined with stripping massage treatments, 2) a home-based neck care program, and 3) both interventions combined on neck pain and function in office workers.
Methods: Sixty office workers with chronic non-specific neck/shoulder pain and stiffness, recruited from the Silicon Valley region of California, were assigned to one of three groups. At baseline, neck flexibility, forward head posture, headache frequency/severity, neck disability index (NDI) and visual analog pain scale (VAS) were measured. Data for compliance with the home-based program were recorded. For six weeks: Group 1 received the massage intervention (30 min, 1 d/wk); Group 2 performed the home-based program (20 min, 3 d/wk); and Group 3 served as a control group. After 6 wk, measures were repeated. Group 3 then became Group 4 and received the massage (30 min, 1 d/wk) and home-based program (20 min, 3 d/wk) interventions for 6 wk. After the second 6-wk period Group 4 was tested again. 40 participants completed the study.
Results: All interventions improved (p<0.05) head posture and neck flexibility, decreased headache frequency/severity, improved NDI scores, and decreased VAS scores compared to control. Groups 1 and 4 reported lower VAS scores after each AMT treatment. Compliance in the home treatment-program was 59% for group 2 and 76% for group 4.
Conclusion: AMT and a home neck care program can reduce neck pain and improve function in office workers. Combining both programs was no more effective than either intervention alone. Combining eccentric resistance with stripping massage shows great potential for helping office workers reduce pain and headache frequency/severity, and improve neck range of motion and forward head posture.
Contact: Jeffrey Forman, formanjeffrey@fhda.edu
