Musculoskeletal Pain of Neck and Shoulder Area in Female Office Workers: Relations Between Muscle Tone, Stiffness, Pain-pressure Threshold, Self-reported Pain Intensity and Physical Activity.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objective of this study is to determine the differences between neck and shoulder region skeletal muscle tone, stifness, pain-pressure threshold, self-reported pain intensity and physical activity in female office workers. 50-100 participants aged 20-60 are anticipated.

Detailed Description
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The objective of this study is to determine the differences between neck and shoulder region skeletal muscle tone, stifness, pain-pressure threshold, self-reported pain intensity and physical activity. Participants: 50-100 subjects, all female, aged 20-60 are anticipated. Methods: Skeletal muscle tone and stiffness are measured using myotonometry. Pain-pressure threshold is measured using algometry. Prevalence of neck and shoulder area musculoskeletal pain is recorded using Nordic questionnaire. Self-reported pain intensity is measured using VAS scale. Self-reported physical activity is recorded using Baecke physical activity questionnaire.

Official Title
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Musculoskeletal Pain of Neck and Shoulder Area in Female Office Workers: Relations Between Muscle Tone, Stiffness, Pain-pressure Threshold, Self-reported Pain Intensity and Physical Activity.

Conditions
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Musculoskeletal Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Office work (at least 4 day per week, 8 hours a day with over 50% working with a computer) Exclusion Criteria: Prior neck trauma, neurological or oncological conditions, recent use of muscle relaxants or painkillers, obesity (BMI of >30)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Symptomatic group<br>Office workers with neck and shoulder area musculoskeletal pain | |
| Asymptomatic group<br>Office workers without neck and shoulder area musculoskeletal pain | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Relationship between muscle tone, stiffness and self-reported pain | Correlation between muscle tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m) of upper trapezius, levator scapulae and paraspinal upper neck muscles and self-reported neck and shoulder region pain intensity (VAS). | March 1st 2020 - May 1st 2021 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Relationship between muscle tone, stiffness and pain-pressure threshold | Correlation between muscle tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m) and pain-pressure threshold (kPa) of upper trapezius, levator scapulae and paraspinal upper neck muscles in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. | March 1st 2020 - May 1st 2021 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Muscle tone, Musculoskeletal pain, Muscle stiffness, Pain-pressure threshold, Neck, Shoulder, Office work