Effect of training supervision on effectiveness of strength training for reducing neck/shoulder pain and headache in office workers: cluster randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of workplace neck/shoulder strength training with and without regular supervision on neck/shoulder pain and headache among office workers.


METHODS
A 20-week cluster randomized controlled trial among 351 office workers was randomized into three groups: two training groups with the same total amount of planned exercises three times per week (1) with supervision (3WS) throughout the intervention period, (2) with minimal supervision (3MS) only initially, and (3) a reference group (REF). Main outcome is self-reported pain intensity in neck and shoulder (scale 0-9) and headache (scale 0-10).


RESULTS
Intention-to-treat analyses showed a significant decrease in neck pain intensity the last 7 days in 3MS compared with REF: -0.5 ± 0.2 (P < 0.02) and a tendency for 3WS versus REF: -0.4 ± 0.2 (P < 0.07). Intensity of headache the last month decreased in both training groups: 3WS versus REF: -1.1 ± 0.2 (P < 0.001) and 3MS versus REF: -1.1 ± 0.2 (P < 0.001). Additionally, days of headache decreased 1.0 ± 0.5 in 3WS and 1.3 ± 0.5 in 3MS versus REF. There were no differences between the two training groups for any of the variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Neck/shoulder training at the workplace reduced neck pain and headache among office workers independently of the extent of supervision. This finding has important practical implications for future workplace interventions.
Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark ; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
Bibi
B
Gram
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christoffer
C
Andersen
Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
Mette K
MK
Zebis
Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
Thomas
T
Bredahl
Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mogens T
MT
Pedersen
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark ; Department of Occupational Medicine Køge Hospital, 4600 Køge, Denmark.
Ole S
OS
Mortensen
Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Glosrtup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2600 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Rigmor H
RH
Jensen
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lars L
LL
Andersen
Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
Gisela
G
Sjøgaard
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013663:Teaching; D017132:Workplace