Protocol for Shoulder function training reducing musculoskeletal pain in shoulder and neck: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Neck and shoulder complaints are common among employees in sedentary occupations characterized by intensive computer use. Such musculoskeletal pain - which is often associated with restricted range of motion and loss of muscle strength - is one of the most common conditions treated by physical therapists. The exact mechanism of neck pain is rarely revealed by clinical examination and the treatment has varied from passive rest to active treatments. Active treatments have often been divided into either training of the painful area or the surrounding musculature avoiding direct training of the painful area. Our study investigates the effect of the latter approach. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial of 10 weeks duration is currently being conducted. Employed office workers with severe neck-shoulder pain are randomized to 3 × 20 min shoulder function training with training supervision or to a reference group receiving advice to stay physically active. Shoulder function training primarily focuses on the serratus anterior and lower trapezius muscle with only minimal activation the upper trapezius. An announcement was sent to the administrative section of the university including jobs characterized by intensive computer work. The first 100 positive replies entered the study. Among these inclusion criteria were pain intensity in the neck/shoulder of at least 3 on a 0-9 scale. Exclusion criteria were cardiovascular disease, trauma, hypertension, or serious chronic disease. Before and after the intervention period the participants replied to a questionnaire about musculoskeletal disorders and work disability, and underwent a standardized clinical examination of the neck and shoulder girdle. Further, on a weekly basis the participants log pain intensity of the neck and shoulder during the previous week. The primary outcome measure is pain in the neck and shoulders at week 10 based on the weekly pain registration and results from the clinical examination. Secondary outcomes are strength and work disability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials (NCT): NCT0120554

Effect of scapular function training on chronic pain in the neck/shoulder region:a randomized controlled trial

Purpose Neck and shoulder complaints are common among employees in occupations characterized by intensive computer use. Treatment has varied from passive rest to active treatments and active treatments have often been divided into either training of the painful area or the surrounding musculature avoiding direct training of the painful area. Our study investigates the effect of the latter approach. The purpose of this study was in a randomised controlled trial to investigate if intensive scapular function training (SFT)—in terms of training of the lower trapezius and the serratus anterior muscle while minimizing direct training of the upper trapezius—is effective in reducing pain in adults with chronic non-specific pain in the neck/shoulder region. Methods 47 office workers with chronic non-specific pain in the neck/shoulder region were randomized to 10 weeks 3 × 20 min SFT with training supervision or to a control group. At baseline and at follow-up the participants were tested for maximum isometric shoulder strength by a blinded tester. Further, once a week participants reported pain intensity of the neck/shoulder during the previous week. Results In intention-to-treat analysis neck- and shoulder pain decreased 2.0 (95 % CI 0.35; 3.64) in SFT compared with control group (p < 0.05). Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) increased 129 kPa in the lower trapezius in SFT compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Shoulder elevation strength increased 7.7 kg in SFT compared with the control group (p < 0.01) with no change in shoulder protraction strength. Conclusions SFT reduces pain intensity and increases shoulder elevation strength in adults with chronic non-specific pain in the neck/shoulder region. The magnitude of improvement in pain intensity was clinically relevant

Influence of frequency and duration of strength training for effective management of neck and shoulder pain:a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Specific strength training can reduce neck and shoulder pain in office workers, but the optimal combination of exercise frequency and duration remains unknown. This study investigates how one weekly hour of strength training for the neck and shoulder muscles is most effectively distributed. METHODS: A total of 447 office workers with and without neck and/or shoulder pain were randomly allocated at the cluster-level to one of four groups; 1×60 (1WS), 3×20 (3WS) or 9×7 (9WS) min a week of supervised high-intensity strength training for 20 weeks, or to a reference group without training (REF). Primary outcome was self-reported neck and shoulder pain (scale 0–9) and secondary outcome work disability (Disability in Arms, Shoulders and Hands (DASH)). RESULTS: The intention-to-treat analysis showed reduced neck and right shoulder pain in the training groups after 20 weeks compared with REF. Among those with pain ≥3 at baseline (n=256), all three training groups achieved significant reduction in neck pain compared with REF (p<0.01). From a baseline pain rating of 3.2 (SD 2.3) in the neck among neck cases, 1WS experienced a reduction of 1.14 (95% CI 0.17 to 2.10), 3WS 1.88 (0.90 to 2.87) and 9WS 1.35 (0.24 to 2.46) which is considered clinically significant. DASH was reduced in 1WS and 3WS only. CONCLUSION: One hour of specific strength training effectively reduced neck and shoulder pain in office workers. Although the three contrasting training groups showed no statistical differences in neck pain reduction, only 1WS and 3WS reduced DASH. This study suggests some flexibility regarding time-wise distribution when implementing specific strength training at the workplace

Effect of physical training on function of chronically painful muscles: A randomized controlled trial

Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Oct-23Purpose: Pain and tenderness of the upper trapezius muscle is frequent in several occupational groups. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of three contrasting interventions on muscle function and pain in women with trapezius myalgia. Methods: A group of employed women (n=42) with a clinical diagnosis of trapezius myalgia participated in a 10 week randomized controlled intervention; specific strength training of the neck/shoulder muscles (SST), general fitness training performed as leg-bicycling (GFT), or a reference intervention without physical activity (REF). Torque and electromyography (EMG) were recorded during maximal shoulder abductions in an isokinetic dynamometer at -60, 60, 0 and 180 degrees (.)s(-1). Further, a submaximal reference contraction with only the load of the arms was performed. Results: Significant changes were observed only in SST. Pain decreased 42-49% (P&lt;0.01-0.05). While EMG activity of the unaffected deltoid remained unchanged during the maximal contractions, an increase in EMG amplitude (42-86%, P&lt;0.001-0.05) and median power frequency (19%, P&lt;0.001) were observed for the painful trapezius muscle. Correspondingly, torque increased 18-53% (P&lt;0.001-0.05). EMG during the reference contraction decreased significantly for both the trapezius and deltoid muscles (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, specific strength training relieves pain and increases maximal activity specifically of the painful trapezius muscle, leading to increased shoulder abduction strength in women with trapezius myalgia. Further, decreased relative workload may indirectly augment pain reduction. Key words: isokinetic, isometric, torque, neck pain

A systematic review on workplace interventions to manage chronic musculoskeletal disorders

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A review to investigate whether there are effective workplace interventions that manage chronic musculoskeletal disorders.METHODS: The literature search included published articles between 2008 and 2017. The databases used in this search were MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, Cochrane, and PEDro. A limited search on websites for relevant grey literature was also conducted.RESULTS: The review included 12 studies that investigated effectiveness of a specific strength exercise programme or interventions provided by health professionals at the workplace when compared with controls or interventions not at the workplace. Seven studies were classified as high quality (&gt;85% of criteria met) and five studies were classified as acceptable. Studies were heterogeneous preventing a meta-analysis. No intervention was clearly superior to another.DISCUSSION: There was some consistency in the results of the selected studies, suggesting that workplace interventions such as high-intensity strength exercises and/or integrated health care can decrease pain and symptoms for employees who experience long-term musculoskeletal disorders. However, the current research is limited.</p

Timing of Muscle Activation Is Altered During Single-Leg Landing Tasks After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at the Time of Return to Sport

OBJECTIVES:It is well known that alterations in landing mechanics persist for years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R). Nevertheless, existing literature is controversial in reporting successful or unsuccessful recovery of prelanding muscle activation timing after ACL-R. The study aimed at comparing myoelectric and kinematic patterns during landing tasks between ACL-R and healthy subjects. DESIGN:Cross-sectional study. SETTING:Institutional research laboratory. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION:Fifteen male athletes after ACL-R using patellar tendon and 11 using hamstrings autograft at the time of return to sport were recruited. Fifteen healthy athletes served as control group. Participants performed 4 different single-leg landing tasks arriving onto a force plate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Electromyographic (EMG) activity of knee extensors and flexors, normalized vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), and knee angular displacement were recorded. RESULTS:In all the tasks, preimpact EMG duration was longer in ACL-R (112 ± 28 ms in the knee extensors; 200 ± 34 ms in the knee flexors) compared with healthy participants (74 ± 19 ms in the knee extensors; 153 ± 29 ms in the knee flexors; P < 0.05). Initial contact (IC) and maximum postimpact knee angle were lower in ACL-R (9 ± 7 degrees at IC; 39 ± 12 degrees at maximum flexion) compared with healthy participants (17 ± 9 degrees at IC; 52 ± 15 degrees at maximum flexion; P < 0.05). Normalized vGRF was higher in ACL-R compared with healthy participants (3.4 ± 0.5 and 2.7 ± 0.6; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:At the time of return to sport, ACL-R subjects showed altered motor control strategies of single-leg landings. These alterations may lead to uncoordinated movement, hence increasing the risk of reinjury

“Is it fun and does it enhance my performance?” – Key implementation considerations for injury prevention programs in youth handball

I Brage finner du siste tekst-versjon av artikkelen, og den kan inneholde ubetydelige forskjeller fra forlagets pdf-versjon. Forlagets pdf-versjon finner du på sciencedirect.com / In Brage you'll find the final text version of the article, and it may contain insignificant differences from the journal's pdf version. The definitive version is available at sciencedirect.com.Objectives: We aimed to determine the use of injury prevention exercises and injury prevention exercise programs in Danish youth handball and investigate coach and player experiences, beliefs and attitudes of injury and their prevention. Design: A mixed-methods design consisting of cross-sectional quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Methods: We surveyed 481 youth (14–18 years old) handball players and their 33 coaches about their use of injury prevention exercises, and attitudes towards injury and their prevention. Additionally, we interviewed five coaches and three players about barriers and motivational factors for implementing injury prevention programs. Results: Players (71%) and almost all coaches reported performing injury prevention exercises for the shoulder, knee, and ankle. Yet few players (4%) and coaches (1%) reported performing the established full injury prevention programs systematically. Players were willing to implement programs to reduce injury risk (84% agreed) and enhance performance (88% agreed). Key factors influencing program uptake were lack of awareness of evidence-based injury prevention programs and lack of handball-specific exercises. Coaches and players identified continued education and training as vital facilitators in this setting, and all coaches agreed that injury prevention should be an essential part of coach education. Conclusions: While Danish youth handball players and coaches seemed to recognize the importance of injury prevention, the use of established programs was marginal. Experiences, beliefs, and attitudes about injury and injury prevention influenced program uptake and should be addressed through continued education and training in this context in combination with making the programs more handball specific.acceptedVersionInstitutt for idrettsmedisinske fag / Department of Sports Medicin

Implementation of specific strength training among industrial laboratory technicians:long-term effects on back, neck and upper extremity pain

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown positive effects of physical exercise at the workplace on musculoskeletal disorders. However, long-term adherence remains a challenge. The present study evaluates long-term adherence and effects of a workplace strength training intervention on back, neck and upper extremity pain among laboratory technicians. METHODS: Cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 537 industrial laboratory technicians. Subjects were randomized at the cluster level to one of two groups: training group 1 (TG1, n = 282) performing supervised strength training from February to June 2009 (round one) or training group 2 (TG2, n = 255) performing supervised strength training from August to December 2009 (round two). The outcome measures were changes in self-reported pain intensity (0–9) in the back, neck and upper extremity as well as Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH, 0–100). RESULTS: Regular adherence, defined as at least one training session per week, was achieved by around 85% in both groups in the supervised training periods. In the intention-to-treat analyses there were significant group by time effects for pain in the neck, right shoulder, right hand and lower back and DASH - resulting in significant reductions in pain (mean 0.3 to 0.5) and DASH (mean 3.9) in the scheduled training group compared to the reference group. For TG1 there were no significant changes in pain in round two, i.e. they maintained the pain reduction achieved in round one. Subgroup analyses among those with severe pain (> = 3 on a scale of 0–9) showed a significant group by time effect for pain in the neck, right shoulder, upper back and lower back. For these subgroups the pain reduction in response to training ranged from 1.1 to 1.8. CONCLUSIONS: Specific strength training at the workplace can lead to significant long-term reductions in spinal and upper extremity pain and DASH. The pain reductions achieved during the intensive training phase with supervision appears to be maintained a half year later

The effectiveness of injury prevention programs to modify risk factors for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament and hamstring injuries in uninjured team sports athletes: A systematic review

Background Hamstring strain and anterior cruciate ligament injuries are, respectively, the most prevalent and serious non-contact occurring injuries in team sports. Specific biomechanical and neuromuscular variables have been used to estimate the risk of incurring a non-contact injury in athletes. Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review the evidences for the effectiveness of injury prevention protocols to modify biomechanical and neuromuscular anterior cruciate and/or hamstring injuries associated risk factors in uninjured team sport athletes. Data Sources PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane Libraries, U.S. National Institutes of Health clinicaltrials.gov, Sport Discuss and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant journal articles published until March 2015. A manual review of relevant articles, authors, and journals, including bibliographies was performed from identified articles. Main Results Nineteen studies were included in this review. Four assessment categories: i) landing, ii) side cutting, iii) stop-jump, and iv) muscle strength outcomes, were used to analyze the effectiveness of the preventive protocols. Eight studies using multifaceted interventions supported by video and/or technical feedback showed improvement in landing and/or stop-jump biomechanics, while no effects were observed on side-cutting maneuver. Additionally, multifaceted programs including hamstring eccentric exercises increased hamstring strength, hamstring to quadriceps functional ratio and/or promoted a shift of optimal knee flexion peak torque toward a more open angle position. Conclusions Multifaceted programs, supported by proper video and/or technical feedback, including eccentric hamstring exercises would positively modify the biomechanical and or neuromuscular anterior cruciate and/or hamstring injury risk factors

Lasting effects of workplace strength training for neck/shoulder/arm pain among laboratory technicians:Natural experiment with 3-year follow-up

Objectives. This study investigated long-term effects and implementation processes of workplace strength training for musculoskeletal disorders. Methods. 333 and 140 laboratory technicians from private and public sector companies, respectively, replied to a 3-year follow-up questionnaire subsequent to a 1-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) with high-intensity strength training for prevention and treatment of neck, shoulder, and arm pain. Being a natural experiment, the two participating companies implemented and modified the initial training program in different ways during the subsequent 2 years after the RCT. Results. At 3-year follow-up the pain reduction in neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist achieved during the first year was largely maintained at both companies. However, the private sector company was rated significantly better than the public sector company in (1) training adherence, (2) training culture, that is, relatively more employees trained at the workplace and with colleagues, (3) self-reported health changes, and (4) prevention of neck and wrist pain development among initially pain-free employees. Conclusions. This natural experiment shows that strength training can be implemented successfully at different companies during working hours on a long-term basis with lasting effects on pain in neck, shoulder, and arm