Background: Neck pain is prevalent among office workers. This study evaluated the impact of an ergonomic and exercise training (EET) intervention and an ergonomic and health promotion (EHP) intervention on neck pain intensity among the general office workers and a subgroup of office workers with neck pain at baseline.
Methods: A prospective 12-month cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 14 public and private organisations. Participants were office workers, aged ≥18 years working ≥30 hours per week (n=740). All participants received an individualised workstation ergonomic intervention, followed by 1:1 allocation to the EET group (neck-specific exercise training), or the EHP group (health promotion) for 12 weeks. Neck pain intensity (scale: 0-9) was recorded at baseline, 12 weeks, and 12 months. Participants with data at these three time points were included for analysis (n=367). Intervention group differences were analysed using generalized estimating equation models on an intention-to-treat basis and adjusted for potential confounders (demographic, health or work-related). Subgroup analysis was performed on participants symptomatic at baseline (neck cases) (n=96).
Results: The EET group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in neck pain intensity at 12 weeks compared to the EHP group for both the general office workers (EET: b=-0.53 points 95%CI: -0.84– -0.22 [36%] and EHP: b=-0.17 points 95%CI: -0.47–0.13 [10.5%], p-value=0.02) and neck cases subgroup (EET: b=-2.32 points 95%CI: -3.09– -1.56 [53%] and EHP: b=-1.75 points 95%CI: -2.35– -1.16 [36%], p=0.04). Reductions in pain intensity were not maintained at 12 months with no between-group differences observed in either the general office workers (EET: b=-0.18, 95%CI: -0.53–0.16 and EHP: b=-0.14 points 95%CI: -0.49–0.21, p=0.53) or neck cases subgroup, although in both groups an overall reduction was found (EET: b= -1.61 points 95%CI: -2.36– -0.89 and EHP: b=-1.9 points 95%CI: -2.59– -1.20, p=0.26).
Conclusion: EET was more effective and clinically meaningful than EHP in reducing neck pain intensity in both general office workers and those with neck pain immediately following the intervention period (12 weeks) but not at 12 months follow-up. Findings suggest the need for continuation of exercise to maintain benefits in the longer term.
Clinical trial registration: ACTRN12612001154897 Date of Registration: 31/10/2012