Can clinical measures of upper quarter postural muscle performance predict neck pain in visual display terminal operators?

Abstract

Objective:

The prevalence of neck and shoulder pain in visual display terminal operators is estimated between 40% and 69%. One theory proposed for this is inadequate low load functioning of the postural muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle leading to microtrauma of cervical spine structures. A temporal sequence linking muscle performance to the subsequent development of neck pain has never been established. This pilot study sought to determine whether postural muscle performance factors are associated with neck pain in a population of visual display terminal users.

Methods:

Twenty-eight subjects underwent a baseline physical examination. Clinical measurements of low-load deep cervical flexor muscle performance, shoulder girdle muscle endurance, neck column length, head and neck posture and body mass index were made and demographic factors collected. Following the examination, a Neck Pain and Disability Scale questionnaire was administered. Variables were analysed in a regression analysis with the questionnaire scores. Questionnaires were readministered at six months follow up.

Results:

Descriptive variables “years of occupational screen based keyboard use” (p = 0.021) and “use of reading glasses” (p = 0.027) were statistically significantly correlated with Neck Pain and Disability Scale score at baseline, while “hours of home computer use” (p < 0.001) was associated with the change in questionnaire score at 6 months follow up. Muscle performance factors did not contribute to either model.

Conclusions:

Given the sample size in this pilot study, we cannot rule out an association between muscle parameters and the onset of neck pain and disability. However, the influence of any such association would be weaker than other identified associated variables.