Journal Article

Implementation of neck/shoulder exercises for pain relief among industrial workers: A randomized controlled trial

Mortensen, Ole S, Zebis, Mette K, Pedersen, Mette M, Andersen, Lars L, Andersen, Christoffer H, Boysen, Marianne, Hannerz, Harald, Mortensen, Peter, Sjøgaard, Gisela, Roessler, Kirsten K, Pedersen, Mogens T

2011

Overview

Background Although leisure-time physical activity is important for health, adherence to regular exercise is challenging for many adults. The workplace may provide an optimal setting to reach a large proportion of the adult population needing regular physical exercise. This study evaluates the effect of implementing strength training at the workplace on non-specific neck and shoulder pain among industrial workers. Methods Cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 537 adults from occupations with high prevalence of neck and shoulder pain (industrial production units). Participants were randomized to 20 weeks of high-intensity strength training for the neck and shoulders three times a week (n = 282) or a control group receiving advice to stay physically active (n = 255). The strength training program followed principles of progressive overload and periodization. The primary outcome was changes in self-reported neck and shoulder pain intensity (scale 0-9). Results 85% of the participants followed the strength training program on a weekly basis. In the training group compared with the control group, neck pain intensity decreased significantly (-0.6, 95% CI -1.0 to -0.1) and shoulder pain intensity tended to decrease (-0.2, 95% CI -0.5 to 0.1, P = 0.07). For pain-cases at baseline (pain intensity > = 3) the odds ratio - in the training group compared with the control group - for being a non-case at follow-up (pain intensity < 3) was 2.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 4.2) for the neck and 3.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 9.4) for the shoulders. Conclusion High-intensity strength training relying on principles of progressive overload can be successfully implemented at industrial workplaces, and results in significant reductions of neck and shoulder pain. Trial registration NCT01071980 .

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Analysis / Care and treatment / Clinical trials / Employees / Epidemiology / Exercise / Exercise Therapy - methods / Female / Health aspects / Humans / Industry / Internal Medicine / Intervention / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Muscle, Skeletal - physiology / Musculoskeletal diseases / Musculoskeletal Diseases - physiopathology / Musculoskeletal Diseases - rehabilitation / Neck pain / Neck Pain - physiopathology / Neck Pain - therapy / Occupational Health / Occupational health and safety / Orthopedics / Pain / Physical fitness / physical therapy and occupational health / Questionnaires / Rehabilitation / Research Article / Rheumatology / Shoulder / Shoulder pain / Shoulder Pain - physiopathology / Shoulder Pain - therapy / Sports Medicine / Sports training / Strength training / Workplace