The Physiotherapy Effect on Neck Pain among Women Office Workers

Abstract

The problem of research. Neck pain is one of the most common health problems among office workers (Kocur et al., 2019).

The purpose of research: to evaluate physiotherapy effect on the neck pain, pain threshold, kinesiophobia, neck range of motion, deep neck muscle function and quality of life, and neck disability index among women office workers.

The methods of research. The study included 20 women office workers who complained of non-specific neck pain. Participants’ exclusion criteria were patients with radiculopathy or with some other neurological disorders; special clinical tests (Spurling, neck distraction test and upper limb tension tests) were used for differentiation. Patient’s daily life was evaluated using neck disability index, kinesiophobia was evaluated using TAMPA scale, neck pain intensity was evaluated using numeral rating scale, neck range of motion was evaluated using goniometer, pain threshold was evaluated using algometer and deep neck muscle function was evaluated using “Stabilizer”.

The results of research. In the end of the research, both groups had a significant effect on reducing neck pain intensity, kinesiophobia and neck disability index and on improving neck range of motion, pain threshold, deep neck muscles function (p < 0.05). Physiotherapy with massage group showed better significant improvement in pain intensity, neck disability index, neck range of motion and pain threshold (p < 0,05). Comparing the results between groups, kinesiophobia and deep neck muscles function showed equal significant improvement (p < 0.05). 

The conclusions of research. 1. Neck pain and pain threshold showed better improvement after physiotherapy with massage, and kinesiophobia showed equal improvement after both procedures. 2. Neck range of motion showed better improvement after physiotherapy with massage and deep neck muscle function showed equal improvement after both procedures. 3. Neck disability index and quality of life showed better improvement after physiotherapy with massage.

Keywords: neck pain, office workers, physiotherapy, massage.