Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Oct;94(7):1739-1750.
doi: 10.1007/s00420-021-01684-0. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Effectiveness of combined aerobic exercise and neck-specific exercise compared to neck-specific exercise alone on work ability in neck pain patients: a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial

Amira Daher  1   2   3 , Gali Dar  4   5 , Rafael Carel  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of combined aerobic exercise and neck-specific exercise compared to neck-specific exercise alone on work ability in neck pain patients: a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial

Amira Daher et al. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of combined aerobic exercise (AE) and neck-specific exercise to neck-specific exercise alone on the work ability of individuals complaining of neck pain.

Method: Secondary analysis of data from a previous randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare AE and neck-specific exercise (AE group, n = 69) to neck-specific exercise alone (control group, n = 70). The Work Ability Index (WAI) was administered after the 6-week intervention, and Global Rating of Change (GROC) was assessed after the 6-week intervention and at 12- and 24-week follow-ups.

Results: Repeated-measure analyses of variance between groups indicated a significant time × group interaction on the GROC at 12- and 24-week follow-ups. The AE group showed better improvement on the GROC (mean ± SD) from 6 to 24 weeks than controls: 4.7(± 0.12) to 5.3 (± 0.13) vs. 4.4 (± 0.13) to 4.1(± 0.13), respectively, (P < 0.001). There was a significant group × time interaction on the WAI (P < 0.001): the AE group showed better improvement (mean ± SD) from baseline to 6-weeks than controls: 34.9 (± 4.4) to 39.2 (± 3.6) vs. 34.4 (± 4.9) to 35.8 (± 4.9), respectively, (P < 0.001). Work ability of participants with poor/moderate baseline scores improved more (P < 0.001) than those with good/excellent baseline scores (P = 0.48).

Conclusions: Combining moderate AE and neck-specific exercise improved the work ability of patients with NP more than neck-specific exercise alone. The combination should be recommended in health promotion programs, particularly for workers with low baseline work ability.

Clinical trial: Registered at ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02451267; date of registration: 21 May 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Musculoskeletal pain; Neck pain; Physical activity; Physical therapy; Work Ability Index.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Alavinia SM, Van Duivenbooden C, Burdorf A (2007) Influence of work-related factors and individual characteristics on work ability among Dutch construction workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 33:351–357. https://doi.org/10.2307/40967665 - DOI
    1. Barene S, Krustrup P, Holtermann A (2004) Effects of the workplace health promotion activities soccer and Zumba on muscle pain, work ability and perceived physical exertion among female hospital employees. PLoS ONE 9:e115059. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0115059 - DOI
    1. Bergström G, Bodin L, Bertilsson H, Jensen IB (2007) Risk factors for new episodes of sick leave due to neck or back pain in a working population. A prospective study with an 18-month and a three-year follow-up. Occup Environ Med 64:279–287. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2006.026583 - DOI
    1. Bethge M, Gutenbrunner C, Neuderth S (2013) Work-ability index predicts application for disability pension after work-related medical rehabilitation for chronic back pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 94:2262–2268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2013.05.003 - DOI
    1. Blangsted AK, Søgaard K, Hansen EA, Hannerz H, Sjøgaard G (2008) One-year randomized controlled trial with different physical-activity programs to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and shoulder among office workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 34:55–65. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.1192 - DOI

Publication types

Associated data