ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of a jazz dance program on musculoskeletal pains of female telephone operators. METHOD: Ten female telephone operators with neck and upper extremity discomfort were studied. The jazz dance program was carried out three times a week for 12 weeks. The effect of the jazz dance program was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) and the pressure thresholds of muscles of right neck and shoulder (the upper trapezius, rhomboideus, infraspinatus, and levator scapulae) with pressure algometer before and after exercise in every week. RESULTS: There was significant increase of the pressure thresholds on four muscles of right neck and shoulder (p<0.05). There was significant decrease of the averages of VAS of neck and upper extremity (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Jazz dance program is an effetive tool for the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal pains in Visual Display Terminal (VDT) workers.