Comparing Biofeedback With Active Exercise and Passive Treatment for the Management of Work-Related Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Vol. 92; no. 6; pp. 849 - 858
• Main Authors: Ma, Chao, PhD, MD, Szeto, Grace P., PhD, Yan, Tiebin, PhD, MD, Wu, Shaoling, PhD, MD, Lin, Caina, BSc, Li, Lijuan, BSc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.06.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Biofeedback, Psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Computers; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Diseases of the spine; Electrical stimulation; Electromyography; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Feedback; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Neck pain; Neck Pain - physiopathology; Neck Pain - prevention & control; Neck Pain - rehabilitation; Pain Measurement; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Rehabilitation; Shoulder pain; Shoulder Pain - physiopathology; Shoulder Pain - prevention & control; Shoulder Pain - rehabilitation; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; RCT; WMSDs; Electrical stimulation; work-related musculoskeletal disorders; VAS; visual analog scale; cervical erector spinae; upper trapezius; electromyogram; randomized controlled trial; Neck pain; CES; NDI; Exercise; analysis of variance; Neck Disability Index; Feedback; ANOVA; Rehabilitation; Shoulder pain; EMG; UT; Physical exercise; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Painful shoulder; Spine disease; Pain; Reeducation; Treatment; Orthopedics; Cervical spine
• ISSN: 0003-9993; 1532-821X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.12.037

Abstract Ma C, Szeto GP, Yan T, Wu S, Lin C, Li L. Comparing biofeedback with active exercise and passive treatment for the management of work-related neck and shoulder pain: a randomized controlled trial. Objectives To compare the effects of biofeedback with those of active exercise and passive treatment in treating work-related neck and shoulder pain. Design A randomized controlled trial with 3 intervention groups and a control group. Setting Participants were recruited from outpatient physiotherapy clinics and a local hospital. Participants All participants reported consistent neck and shoulder pain related to computer use for more than 3 months in the past year and no severe trauma or serious pathology. A total of 72 potential participants were recruited initially, of whom a smaller group of individuals (n=60) completed the randomized controlled trial. Interventions The 3 interventions were applied for 6 weeks. In the biofeedback group, participants were instructed to use a biofeedback machine on the bilateral upper trapezius (UT) muscles daily while performing computer work. Participants in the exercise group performed a standardized exercise program daily on their own. In the passive treatment group, interferential therapy and hot packs were applied to the participants' necks and shoulders. The control group was given an education booklet on office ergonomics. Main Outcome Measures Pain (visual analog scale), neck disability index (NDI), and surface electromyography were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Pain and NDI were reassessed after 6 months. Results Postintervention, average pain and NDI scores were reduced significantly more in the biofeedback group than in the other 3 groups, and this was maintained at 6 months. Cervical erector spinae muscle activity showed significant reductions postintervention in the biofeedback group, and there were consistent trends of reductions in the UT muscle activity. Conclusions Six weeks of biofeedback training produced more favorable outcomes in reducing pain and improving muscle activation of neck muscles in patients with work-related neck and shoulder pain.