Effects of body combat exercise and neck/shoulder strengthening exercise on symptomatic computer users

• Main Authors: Tsang-HuaWu, 吳倉華
• Other Authors: Chiung-Yu Cho
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/69569519720918389979

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 物理治療研究所 === 99 === Background and purpose: More and more people use computer for work tasks but also for activities of daily living including social communication and entertainment. Neck and shoulder pain are most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints in computer users. There are several factors which are related to musculoskeletal symptoms. While using computer, prolonged posture and repetitive movement are the most important risk factors. According to the review, neck and shoulder strengthening exercises are the most effective intervention to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms. Combat exercise is a very popular exercise during these years. This exercise combines strength and endurance training for the upper and lower extremity. However, the effect of combat exercise for neck/shoulder pain group has not been examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of six-week strengthening or combat exercise on pain, posture and muscle activity for symptomatic computer users while performing computer tasks. Method: This study included 43 symptomatic computer users and they were separated to three groups, strengthening, combat and stretching exercise group. There were 31 subjects completed the pre and post tests, including 13 subjects in strengthening group, 11 subjects in combat group and 7 subjects in stretching group. Subjects performed 8-minute preferred speed typing, fast speed typing and mouse clicking task before and after exercise intervention. While performing the computer task, posture of head, neck and upper extremity were recorded by six motion captured cameras. Surface electromyography of bilateral cervical erector spinae, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, right flexor carpi radialis and extensor digitorum were recorded. Neck range of motion, neck/shoulder strength and pain threshold were also assessed. Standardized Nordic questionnaire, Chinese Health Questionnaire, neck disability index and fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire were used to assess psychological stress and neck/shoulder disability. Analysis of variance with repeated measure on speed (preferred and fast speed typing), effect(pre and post) and time(2nd,5th ,8th minute) was used to evaluate posture , postural variability and muscle activity among three groups. Comparison of questionnaires among the groups was made using Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: After six-week exercise intervention, all groups significantly improved their neck range of motion, neck/shoulder strength, pain threshold and pain score, but there were no significant differences among three groups. The Combat group significantly decreased scores on Chinese Health Questionnaire, neck disability index and fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire. The Strengthening group significantly decreased scores on neck disability index. Although the Stretching group decreased scores on these questionnaire but it did not reach the significant level. All of the subjects showed improvement on forward head posture and neck/shoulder muscle activity while performing the computer task. Both Strengthening and Combat group obtained more improvement on bilateral upper trapezius during typing and on right upper trapezius during mouse clicking than stretch group, although not significantly. Conclusion: The symptomatic computer users increased their neck range of motion, neck/shoulder strength, pain threshold, decreased neck/shoulder pain score, psychological stress and neck/shoulder disability after six-week intervention. In the future, these exercise programs may be applied in clinical intervention or prevention of neck/shoulder pain among computer users.