Impact of ergonomic workstation interventions and scapular bracing on neck muscle performance, postural alignment, neck disability and work productivity in bankers with non-specific neck pain
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Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders among bankers are linked to personal traits, prolonged working posture, repetitive tasks, and workstation design. Scapular bracing has been endorsed as an intervention for improving upper-body posture; however, evidence in symptomatic office workers is inadequate.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an ergonomic workstation intervention alone versus a combined scapular brace plus ergonomic workstation intervention on forward head posture, rounded shoulder posture, neck disability, neck muscle performance, work productivity, and perceived stress in bankers with nonspecific neck pain.
Materials and Methods: Fifty bankers with non-specific neck pain were randomly assigned to one of two groups: ergonomic workstation intervention (control, N=25) or scapular brace plus ergonomic workstation intervention (experimental, N=25). Craniovertebral angle (CVA), forward shoulder angle (FSA), Neck Disability Index (NDI), neck muscle performance, work productivity, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were all measured at baseline and four weeks later. The data were analysed with mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results: Significant time × group interaction effects favoured the experimental group for CVA (p=0.005), FSA (p=0.001), NDI (p=0.017), neck muscle performance (p=0.004), and work productivity (p=0.003), indicating greater postural, functional, and productivity-related improvements as opposed to the control group. There were no significant between-group differences in perceived stress.
Conclusion: The addition of a scapular brace to an ergonomic workstation intervention may provide modest short-term benefits for posture, neck disability, neck muscle function, and job productivity in bankers suffering from non-specific neck pain, although perceived stress remains unaffected.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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