Effects of a workplace-based exercise program on shoulder pain and function in fruit workers: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain affects millions of workers worldwide and is considered one of the leading causes of absenteeism and presenteeism. Therefore, using exercises in the work environment emerges as a strategy to prevent or reduce shoulder pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a workplace-based exercise program on shoulder pain and function in fruit workers. METHODS: This was an 8-week parallel two-arm randomized controlled trial. Forty-four fruit workers who reported chronic shoulder pain were randomized to an Experimental Group (EG) or Control Group (CG). The EG was submitted to a program of resistance and stretching exercises for eight weeks, twice a week. The CG received a booklet with muscle stretching and mobility exercises. The primary outcome was shoulder pain intensity; the secondary outcomes were Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and perceived global effect. RESULTS: Both groups showed reductions in pain intensity EG: 4.26 (95% CI 2.78-5.74) and CG: 3.74 (95% CI 1.98-5.50) points. The SPADI results showed an average reduction of 17.76 (CI 95% 3.10-32.43) for the EG and 18.39 (CI 95% 3.66-33.13) for the CG. The mean value of the perceived global effect for the CG was 3.45±2.01, and for the EG, the mean was 4.13±1.24. No differences were observed between groups in any outcome analyzed. CONCLUSION: Both groups showed significant changes in the analyzed outcomes. However, the workplace-based exercise program was not superior to the exercise booklet.

Reliability of the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test in young adults.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reliability indicators of CKCUEST, and to investigate how many sessions are necessary to find a stable score. DESIGN: Reliability study. SETTING: Biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 36 healthy young adults, of both genders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The subjects performed four CKCUEST with a minimum interval of three days between evaluations. The number of touches in each execution was counted, and then the average values of the number of rings, normalized score and power were calculated. RESULTS: The CKCUEST presented ICC ranging from 0.77 to 0.92 (mean number of touches), 0.80 to 0.94 (normalized score) and 0.91 to 0.98 (power). The Bland-Altman plots showed the presence of systematic error for all measures, as also confirmed by the ANOVA analysis. The scores increased every session for both genders. The boys' scores stabilized in the third session. However, the girls' scores did not stabilize. CONCLUSION: The CKCUEST presents excellent reliability; however, there is the presence of systematic error between measurements. It is necessary to perform at least three sessions to obtain reliable data for male participants, and the female results were not conclusive.