Clinical trial NCT04925999: Distance Learning and Neck Problems During Pandemic Period
Official title: Distance Learning and Neck Disability Among Academic Staff During COVID-19 Period
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Conditions: Neck Pain
Keywords: Online Learning
Neck Pain
COVID-19
Lead sponsor: Misr University for Science and Technology
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2021-06-14
Enrollment: 300
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 25
Maximum age (years): 60
Standard ages: ADULT
Observational model: COHORT
Time perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: * Both male and female working as academic staff at Misr University for Science and Technology.
* Age range between 25 to 60 years old

Brief summary: For people who use computers a lot, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck are a common problem . It is generally agreed that the etiology of work-related neck disorders is multidimensional which is associated with, and influenced by, a complex array of individual, physical and psychosocial factors.

Detailed description: Academic staff work involves diverse activities, both in and out of lecture-rooms, designing course curricula, developing lecture and tutorial plans and materials, providing students with information in an interesting and understandable manner, setting questions, and marking examinations .These activities usually involve long periods of sitting and standing, placing a physical demand on the lower back, cervical spine and the vertebral column in general, thus contributing to neck and shoulder discomfort .Lecturers use computers extensively and are thus exposed to many of the same risk factors to which 'office workers' are exposed. Using a computer is associated with poor neck posture most often in a forward head position, which is thought to be one of the most common causes of neck, head and shoulder tension and pain .

Neck pain is costly in terms of treatment, individual suffering, and time lost due to work absenteeism . Effective performance of academic staff of the university is very important as the key factors to a successful day to day running of any university system .

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* At least one year of work experience in the current position as academic stuff.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Spinal deformities or specific medical condition affecting the cervical spine (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, radiculopathy, tumors, infection and disc prolapse)
* History of spinal surgery
* Previous head or neck trauma

Primary outcomes:
measure: Neck disability index
timeFrame: 3 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Pain severity
timeFrame: 3 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Cairo
country: Egypt
facility: Misr university for science and technology
Study officials:
References:
citation: Fejer R, Kyvik KO, Hartvigsen J. The prevalence of neck pain in the world population: a systematic critical review of the literature. Eur Spine J. 2006 Jun;15(6):834-48. doi: 10.1007/s00586-004-0864-4. Epub 2005 Jul 6.
citation: Chiu TT, Lam PK. The prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain and upper limb pain among secondary school teachers in Hong Kong. J Occup Rehabil. 2007 Mar;17(1):19-32. doi: 10.1007/s10926-006-9046-z.