Effect of a slump posture on pain, proprioception, and electrical activity of the muscles in office workers with chronic non-specific neck pain. A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of computer typing in a slump posture on pain, proprioception and muscle recruitment has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of pain, proprioception and muscle activity resulting from computer typing in a slump posture in women who already suffer from chronic neck pain. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 20 to July 10, 2021. A total of 15 female 42-(±4.96)-year-old office workers with chronic non-specific neck pain participated in this study. Before and after 60 min of computer typing in a slump posture, proprioception and pain were measured using an inclinometer and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. The activity of the cervical erector spine (CES) and upper trapezius (UT) muscle was also measured before and after the slump-posture computer typing, in upright, forward, and slump postures. RESU: lts: Paired-samples t-tests showed that pain was increased and proprioception in all directions (flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right, and left rotation) was less accurate (P < 0.05) after 60 min computer typing. The CES and UT muscle activity were elevated more in the forward head and slump posture than in the upright posture (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sixty minutes computer typing in a slump posture increased neck pain, resulted in a decreased proprioception in the neck and was accompanied by an increased activity of the neck musculature.

Effects of typing positions on the upper trapezius and neck extensor muscles electromyography in office employees: A single-blind cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Holding incorrect postures over a long period could lead to chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP) in office employees. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different typing positions on the activity of the neck extensor and upper trapezius (UT) muscles of office employees diagnosed with CNNP. METHODS: This assessor-blinded cross-sectional study was performed on 22 female subjects with the mean age of 39.95±5.30 years. The neck extensors and UT muscle activities of the participants were assessed in the upright, forward, and slouching postures by electromyography (EMG). In addition, neck proprioception and the performance of the cervical stabilizer muscles were evaluated using an inclinometer and biofeedback pressure unit, respectively. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between the cervical erector spine (CES) and UT muscle activities in the upright, forward, and slouching typing positions (P < 0.05). In addition, a difference was observed between the upright and slouching postures in these muscles. A positive correlation was denoted between CES muscle activity in the slouching and forward postures and the activation index of neck muscles (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant, negative correlation was observed between the UT muscle activity in the slouching posture and neck proprioception (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was also noted between the pain index and repositioning error rates (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CES muscle activity increased in a forward head posture, which could damage neck proprioception through causing early fatigue and stimulating a cumulative damage cycle.