Additional Benefits of Neck Exercises in Addition to Ergonomic Training in Office Workers With Neck Pain

Neck pain is a multifactorial disease and the factors related to neck pain are physical workloads, poor ergonomic work design and certain psychosocial factors. It arises due to disease of cervical spine and soft tissues of the neck, muscle spasm, falling asleep in awkward position, prolong working at computer desk with bent neck. The objective of the study is to compare the effects of neck exercises in addition to ergonomic training and ergonomic training alone on pain severity, neck disability, cervical range of motion and burnout in neck pain among office workers

Neck pain remains the most common musculoskeletal disorder faced by office workers. There are an increasing number of reports available in regards to neck pain whether it is related with muscles, tendons, joints or soft tissue inflammation. It arises due to disease of cervical spine and soft tissues of the neck, muscle spasm, falling asleep in awkward position, prolong working at computer desk with bent neck. It has multiple treatment options and neck exercises are one of them. However, no concrete evidence is available on the effects of both neck exercises and ergonomic training on neck pain. this study will help individuals to maintain health and safety in the workplace while maintaining efficiency in their job performance by introducing proper ergonomic guidelines. This will eventually going to increase quality of work, productivity as a team and satisfaction with work. It will create awareness about utilization of ergonomic and exercise intervention without many side effects to avoid WMSDs. It will determine the emotional and psychological exhaustion among office workers with neck pain. It will supplement the existing literature. The main objectives of the study is to compare the effects of neck exercises in addition to ergonomic training and ergonomic training alone on pain severity, neck disability, cervical range of motion and burnout in neck pain among office workers.This RCT will be carried out in a period of one year (January 2023-2024). The sample size of 54 participants will be recruited according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both males and females aged between 25-50 years working for 7-9 hours with postural neck pain will be included in the study. the participants must have neck pain above 4 on NPRS and neck pain without radiculopathy. The ones fulfilling the criteria will be selected through non-probability purposive sampling and allocated in groups (A and B) through coin toss method. Group A will receive neck exercises along with ergonomic guidelines and group B will only follow the ergonomic guidelines. Participants of both groups will receive intervention for 3 weeks on alternate days. The data will be collected through numeric pain rating scale, neck disability index, cervical range of motion and Oldenburg burnout inventory. The data will be analyzed on SPSS 22.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Both male and female office workers.
* Age 25-50 years.
* Individuals with working hours duration of 7-9 hours.
* Individuals with postural neck pain.
* Individuals with neck pain above 4 on NPRS.
* Individuals with primary complaint of neck pain without radiculopathy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of trauma to neck.
* Bilateral upper limb symptoms.
* Prior surgery to cervical and upper thoracic spine.
* History of whiplash injury.
* Degenerative disc disease.
* Diminished or absent sensations to pinprick in upper limb dermatomes.
* Positive two or more neurological signs.