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. 2021 May;94(4):647-658.
doi: 10.1007/s00420-020-01610-w. Epub 2020 Dec 5.

Can a metric combining arm elevation and trapezius muscle activity predict neck/shoulder pain? A prospective cohort study in construction and healthcare

Suzanne Lerato Merkus  1 , Svend Erik Mathiassen  2 , Lars-Kristian Lunde  3 , Markus Koch  3 , Morten Wærsted  3 , Mikael Forsman  4   5 , Stein Knardahl  3 , Kaj Bo Veiersted  3
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Can a metric combining arm elevation and trapezius muscle activity predict neck/shoulder pain? A prospective cohort study in construction and healthcare

Suzanne Lerato Merkus et al. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2021 May.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether a composite metric of arm elevation and trapezius activity (i.e. neck/shoulder load) is more strongly associated with the 2-year course of neck and shoulder pain intensity (NSPi) among construction and healthcare workers than each exposure separately.

Methods: Dominant arm elevation and upper trapezius muscle activity were estimated in construction and healthcare employees (n = 118) at baseline, using accelerometry and normalized surface electromyography (%MVE), respectively. At baseline and every 6 months for 2 years, workers reported NSPi (score 0-3). Compositions of working time were determined for arm elevation (< 30°; 30-60°; > 60°), trapezius activity (< 0.5%; 0.5-7.0%; > 7.0%MVE), and a composite metric "neck/shoulder load" (restitution, low, medium, and high load). Associations between each of these three compositions and the 2-year course of NSPi were determined using linear mixed models.

Results: Associations between exposure compositions and the course of NSPi were all weak and in general uncertain. Time spent in 0.5-7.0%MVE showed the largest and most certain association with changes in NSPi during follow-up (β = - 0.13; p = 0.037; corresponding to a -0.01 change in NPSi every 6 months). Among pain-free workers at baseline, medium (β = - 0.23; p = 0.039) and high (β = 0.15; p = 0.031) neck/shoulder load contributed the most to explaining changes in NSPi.

Conclusion: The composite metric of neck/shoulder load did not show a stronger association with the course of NSPi than arm elevation or trapezius activity alone in the entire population, while some indications of a stronger association were found among those who were pain-free at baseline.

Keywords: Actigraphy; Compositional data analysis; Electromyography; Musculoskeletal pain; Neck/shoulder load; Physically demanding work.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart for workers included in the objective measurements
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cumulative probability distributions for arm elevation, upper trapezius muscle activity, and neck/shoulder load
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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