The Predictors of Typing Performance in Office Employees With Neck Pain; Neck Disability, Muscle Activity, Posture, and Demographics
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 21
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Determining the predictors that are effective on work performance and preventive approaches to be developed for these predictors must be individual and adaptable to every environment, time, and equipment. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to show the relations between neck disability, Upper Trapezius (UT) muscle activation, posture, and demographic characteristics with typing task performance in office employees who have neck pain by using their equipment in their workplaces.
Detailed Description
The present study was conducted to show the relations between neck disability, UT muscle activation, posture, and demographic characteristics with typing task performance in office employees who have neck pain by using their equipment in their workplaces. We hypothesized that UT muscle activation, working posture, and age might be the main predictors of typing performance in office employees with neck pain. For this purpose, full-time office employees who use computers for at least 3 hours a day and have neck pain were invited to the study. Volunteers without any health concern, upper-body injury, and surgery provided informed, written consent to participate in the study.
The participants were given a 10-minute typing task in their working environments, during which right and left UT muscle activation was recorded with Surface Electromyography (sEMG). Work posture was evaluated with Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Forward Head Posture (FHP) was evaluated with Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Device. Hierarchical Regression Analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of typing performance.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Case Only
- Time Perspective
- Cross Sectional
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 22 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Full-time and regular employees in the last 1 year,
- •Office employees use computers at desk for at least 3 hours per day
- •According to RULA, working in a posture that is above the acceptable level,
- •No trauma history
- •Non-specific neck pain but no chronic conditions of the cervical spine and upper extremity
Exclusion Criteria
- •Volunteer office employees with neck pain who did not meet the inclusion criteria and those who could not complete the study because of pain, discomfort, etc. were excluded from the study (Dropouts; n=3 because of pain and discomfort, n=1 because of incomplete evaluations not completed on their own will)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The NDI is a self-reported scale consists of pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and leisure time activities sections. The total score varies between 0-50 and the increase in total score indicates the increase in the severity of the neck disability: "0-4 no disability, 5-14 mild disability, 15-24 moderate disability, 25-34 severe disability, and ≥35 complete disability".
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
It is measured by Surface Electromyography (sEMG) for upper trapezius muscle. 3 maximum contractions were performed for 6 seconds at the manual muscle testing position. The maximum value among 3 repeats was recorded as Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) (mV).
Muscle Activation of Upper Trapezius
Time Frame: 30 minutes
It is the measurement of the Electromyographic activity of trapezius muscles during typing task. According to The Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles Project (SENIAM) recommendations for sensors and sensor placement procedures, sEMG was applied for the upper trapezius muscles while performing the computer task in workplace. The mean values (mV) obtained were normalized according to MVIC. Normalized data (%MVIC) was used in the statistical analysis.
Forward Head Posture
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The CROM Deluxe is an assessment instrument that lets to measure sagittal, frontal and horizontal plane movements (flexion / extension, lateral flexion, rotation and forward head posture), while resting and also performing a task or work posture.
Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The RULA Assessment Tool is used to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors associated with neck, trunk, and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The RULA considers biomechanical and postural load requirements of job demands. Scores between 1-7 are classified from "acceptable posture" (no action required) to "very high risk" (implement change now).
Secondary Outcomes
- Body Mass Index (BMI)(1 minutes)
Investigators
Arzu Keskin Aktan
PhD, Asst. Prof.
Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University