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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05316844

Investigation of Predictors of Typing Performance in Office Employees With Neck Pain

Determining the predictors that are effective on work performance and preventive approaches to be developed for these predictors must be individual and adaptable to every environment, time, and equipment. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to show the relations between neck disability, Upper Trapezius (UT) muscle activation, posture, and demographic characteristics with typing task performance in office employees who have neck pain by using their equipment in their workplaces.

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Key information

Conditions

Task Performance and Analysis Neck Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

22 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

Afyonkarahisar, 03030, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The present study was conducted to show the relations between neck disability, UT muscle activation, posture, and demographic characteristics with typing task performance in office employees who have neck pain by using their equipment in their workplaces. We hypothesized that UT muscle activation, working posture, and age might be the main predictors of typing performance in office employees with neck pain. For this purpose, full-time office employees who use computers for at least 3 hours a day and have neck pain were invited to the study. Volunteers without any health concern, upper-body injury, and surgery provided informed, written consent to participate in the study.

The participants were given a 10-minute typing task in their working environments, during which right and left UT muscle activation was recorded with Surface Electromyography (sEMG). Work posture was evaluated with Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Forward Head Posture (FHP) was evaluated with Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Device. Hierarchical Regression Analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of typing performance.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Full-time and regular employees in the last 1 year,
  • Office employees use computers at desk for at least 3 hours per day
  • According to RULA, working in a posture that is above the acceptable level,
  • No trauma history
  • Non-specific neck pain but no chronic conditions of the cervical spine and upper extremity

Exclusion criteria

  • Volunteer office employees with neck pain who did not meet the inclusion criteria and those who could not complete the study because of pain, discomfort, etc. were excluded from the study (Dropouts; n=3 because of pain and discomfort, n=1 because of incomplete evaluations not completed on their own will)

Treatment and study plan

There will be no interventions.

Other

Measurements and performance tests were conducted to investigate predictors of work-related performance

Primary outcomes

  1. Neck Disability Index (NDI)

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    The NDI is a self-reported scale consists of pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and leisure time activities sections. The total score varies between 0-50 and the increase in total score indicates the increase in the severity of the neck disability: "0-4 no disability, 5-14 mild disability, 15-24 moderate disability, 25-34 severe disability, and ≥35 complete disability".

  2. Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC)

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    It is measured by Surface Electromyography (sEMG) for upper trapezius muscle. 3 maximum contractions were performed for 6 seconds at the manual muscle testing position. The maximum value among 3 repeats was recorded as Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) (mV).

  3. Muscle Activation of Upper Trapezius

    Time frame: 30 minutes

    It is the measurement of the Electromyographic activity of trapezius muscles during typing task. According to The Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles Project (SENIAM) recommendations for sensors and sensor placement procedures, sEMG was applied for the upper trapezius muscles while performing the computer task in workplace. The mean values (mV) obtained were normalized according to MVIC. Normalized data (%MVIC) was used in the statistical analysis.

  4. Forward Head Posture

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    The CROM Deluxe is an assessment instrument that lets to measure sagittal, frontal and horizontal plane movements (flexion / extension, lateral flexion, rotation and forward head posture), while resting and also performing a task or work posture.

  5. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    The RULA Assessment Tool is used to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors associated with neck, trunk, and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The RULA considers biomechanical and postural load requirements of job demands. Scores between 1-7 are classified from "acceptable posture" (no action required) to "very high risk" (implement change now).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Time frame: 1 minutes

    Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement derived from body mass and body height to evaluate body fat. The BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height and is expressed in units of kg/m² (kilogram / square meter). According to the BMI value, it is categorized as underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and Obesity (30 or greater).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Predictors of Typing Performance in Office Employees With Neck Pain; Neck Disability, Muscle Activity, Posture, and Demographics

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2022
First posted
Apr 7, 2022
Registry last updated
Apr 7, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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