title: Implementation of neck/shoulder exercises for pain relief among industrial workers: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although leisure-time physical activity is important for health, adherence to regular exercise is challenging for many adults. The workplace may provide an optimal setting to reach a large proportion of the adult population needing regular physical exercise. This study evaluates the effect of implementing strength training at the workplace on non-specific neck and shoulder pain among industrial workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 537 adults from occupations with high prevalence of neck and shoulder pain (industrial production units). Participants were randomized to 20 weeks of high-intensity strength training for the neck and shoulders three times a week (n = 282) or a control group receiving advice to stay physically active (n = 255). The strength training program followed principles of progressive overload and periodization. The primary outcome was changes in self-reported neck and shoulder pain intensity (scale 0-9).
  
  
  RESULTS
  85% of the participants followed the strength training program on a weekly basis. In the training group compared with the control group, neck pain intensity decreased significantly (-0.6, 95% CI -1.0 to -0.1) and shoulder pain intensity tended to decrease (-0.2, 95% CI -0.5 to 0.1, P = 0.07). For pain-cases at baseline (pain intensity > = 3) the odds ratio - in the training group compared with the control group--for being a non-case at follow-up (pain intensity < 3) was 2.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 4.2) for the neck and 3.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 9.4) for the shoulders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-intensity strength training relying on principles of progressive overload can be successfully implemented at industrial workplaces, and results in significant reductions of neck and shoulder pain.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01071980.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5320 Odense M, Denmark. mettezebis@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mette K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Zebis
authors.forename: Lars L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Mogens T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: Christoffer H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Mette M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boysen
authors.forename: Kirsten K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Roessler
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hannerz
authors.forename: Ole S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sjøgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016272:Occupational Health; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017132:Workplace