The Effect of Tissue Stretching and Release Strategies on Neck Muscles Fatigue and Pain Intensity in Office Workers Affected by Chronic Neck Pain: A Rater-Blind, Semi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background and aims: Nonspecific chronic neck pain (ns-CNP) is a common cause of disability among office workers. However, the effectiveness of tissue release and stretching strategies in managing pain and fatigue of neck muscles in employees affected by ns-CNP has not been assessed.

Methods: Thirty-nine employees who suffered from ns-CNP were randomly assigned to stretching, tissue release interventions or control group (n = 13). Neck pain and fatigue in neck extensors, upper trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were measured during 40 min of typing with a 45-degree head flexion at baseline and immediately after a 6-week intervention using visual analog scale and surface electromyography.

Results: Pain significantly decreased after 6 weeks of both interventions (p < 0.05). There were no significant within-group differences for right cervical muscle fatigue in the intervention groups, but a significant difference was noted in the control group at the 25th and 40th minutes (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference was observed between the release and control group at the 30th, 35th, and 40th minutes (p < 0.05). Left cervical muscle fatigue significantly decreased at the 25th and 40th minutes only for the release group (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed between the release and control groups at the 40th minute for the right upper trapezius (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Only the stretching group showed a significant difference with the control in the left sternocleidomastoid at the 10th and 15th minutes, and the release group with the control in the last 5-min. Stretching and release interventions could control neck pain and muscle fatigue in the 45-degree head flexion position.

Keywords: fatigue; foam roller; musculoskeletal dysfunction; neck; pain; trigger points.

Figure 1

Flowchart of the process of allocation and follow‐up of subjects.

Figure 2

Evaluation of neck muscle fatigue during the 40‐min typing protocol.

Figure 3

Within‐group comparison of perceived pain intensity in the posttest compared to the baseline.

Figure 4

Examining the fatigue course of the studied muscles among all the subjects, before applying all interventions.

Figure 5

(a) The level of fatigue of the left cervical extensor muscle during 40 min in the posttest and its study between the three groups of release, stretching, and control. (b) The level of fatigue of the right cervical extensor muscle during 40 min in the posttest and its study between the three groups of release, stretching, and control. (c) Comparison of MDF of right upper trapezius muscle between three groups at eight time points. (d) Comparison of MDF of the left upper trapezius muscle between the three groups at eight time points. (e) Comparison of MDF of right sternocleidomastoid muscle between three groups at eight time points. (f) Comparison of MDF of left sternocleidomastoid muscle between three groups at eight time points.