Effects of ambulant myofeedback training and ergonomic counselling in female computer workers with work-related neck-shoulder complaints: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of ambulant myofeedback training including ergonomic counselling (Mfb) and ergonomic counselling alone (EC), on work-related neck-shoulder pain and disability.


METHODS
Seventy-nine female computer workers reporting neck-shoulder complaints were randomly assigned to Mfb or EC and received four weeks of intervention. Pain intensity in neck, shoulders, and upper back, and pain disability, were measured at baseline, immediately after intervention, and at three and six months follow-up.


RESULTS
Pain intensity and disability had significantly decreased immediately after four weeks Mfb or EC, and the effects remained at follow up. No differences were observed between the Mfb and EC group for outcome and subjects in both intervention groups showed comparable chances for improvement in pain intensity and disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain intensity and disability significantly reduced after both interventions and this effect remained at follow-up. No differences were observed between the two intervention groups.
Voerman
Gerlienke E
GE
Roessingh Research and Development, P.O. Box 310, 7500, Enschede, AH, The Netherlands. g.voerman@rrd.nl
Sandsjö
Leif
L
Vollenbroek-Hutten
Miriam M R
MM
Larsman
Pernilla
P
Kadefors
Roland
R
Hermens
Hermie J
HJ
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003201:Computers; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004576:Electromyography; D006804:Ergonomics; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome