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Effects of combining ergonomic interventions and motor control exercises on muscle activity and kinematics in people with work-related neck–shoulder pain

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study compared the effects of “Ergomotor” intervention and conventional physiotherapy, on influencing the motor control in the neck–shoulder region in people with work-related neck–shoulder pain (WRNSP).

Methods

101 patients (age range 20–54 years) diagnosed with chronic WRNSP were randomized into control (CO) group (n = 50) and Ergomotor (EM) group (n = 51). Each group received a 12-week intervention. Participants in CO group received treatment for pain relief and general exercises. EM group received individualized motor control training and advice of ergonomic modifications at their workplaces.

Results

At post-intervention, EM group showed significant reduction of bilateral upper trapezius muscle activity during active neck movements (left: 40–35%, right: 35–27%) and functional tasks such as lifting a weight forward–backward (left: 31–21%, right: 22–14%) and upward–downward (left: 26–23%, right: 20–13%). Cervical erector spinae also showed significant decrease in muscle activity during some phases of the functional tasks (left: 13–6%, right: 10–2%). In contrast, CO group did not show such changes in muscle activity at post-intervention. EM group also showed significant increase in movement velocity and acceleration during active neck movements in all directions (from 18 to 31%), while CO group only showed significant increase in movement velocity in some directions. Both groups reported significant but similar reduction in pain scores, at post-intervention and 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions

The present results provided some evidence to support the positive and sustainable benefits of integrating motor control training into the workplace postures and motions.

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Abbreviations

CES:

Cervical erector spinae

CO:

Control

DASH:

Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire

ECG:

Electrocardiogram

EM:

Ergomotor

EMG:

Electromyography

FB:

Forward–backward

FIR:

Finite impulse response

GEE:

Generalised estimating equations

IIR:

Infinite impulse response

IMU:

Inertial measurement units

LTr:

Lower trapezius

MSD:

Musculoskeletal disorders

NDI:

Neck Disability Index

RM-ANOVA:

Repeated measures analysis of variance

RMS:

Root mean square

SCM:

Sternocleidomastoid

UD:

Upward–downward

UTr:

Upper trapezius

WRNSP:

Work-related neck–shoulder pain

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Health and Medical Research Fund for the financial support to this project. We would like to express our appreciation to the orthopaedic specialists—Prof. LK Hung, Dr. SW Law, and Dr. KK Wong, who helped to recruit suitable patients to join this study. We also want to thank the physiotherapists who have assisted to carry out the interventions for the Ergomotor group (Miss Rufina Lau) and for the control group (Miss Polina Yeung and Mr. Ted Wong). We would also like to thank the research staff including Jay Dai, Phoebe Xie, Viviane Hui, Sam Chong, and our technical advisor Mr. Man Cheung.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Sharon M. H. Tsang, Billy C. L. So, Rufina W. L. Lau, Jie Dai & Grace P. Y. Szeto

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  1. Sharon M. H. Tsang
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  2. Billy C. L. So
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  3. Rufina W. L. Lau
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  4. Jie Dai
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  5. Grace P. Y. Szeto
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Correspondence to Grace P. Y. Szeto.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.

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Communicated by Bénédicte Schepens.

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Tsang, S.M.H., So, B.C.L., Lau, R.W.L. et al. Effects of combining ergonomic interventions and motor control exercises on muscle activity and kinematics in people with work-related neck–shoulder pain. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 751–765 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3802-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3802-6

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