Effects of Thoracic Spinal Exercise Program in VDT Workers: Pain Relief and Increased Flexibility

Abstract

2 ) Objectives: The purpose of this study of the Thoracic Spinal Exercise Program was to evalu - ate its effects on VDT workers. These effects were found to include a decrease thoracic kypho - sis, increase thoracic spine mobility and decrease in the VAS (visual analog scale). These mea - sures provide a means of assessing the muscle endurance and muscle strength of the subjects. Methods: This study was conducted during the period from July 1 to August 31, 2003, and involved 58 VDT workers belonging to a company located in Seoul who were working seated in front of a computer for most of the day. After applying the thoracic exercise program, we examined the changes in the of thoracic kyphosis angle, spinal length (C7-S3), TFED (thoracic flexibility in the extension direction), MEBH (maximal elevation with both hands in the over - head direction) and CE (chest expansion). Results: Obtained from this study are as follows. 1. A significant reduction in the VAS was observed in the exercise group (pre-exercise 5.90 ±0.88 points, post-exercise 4.23±0.82 points), as compared with the control group (pre-exer - cise 6.00±0.90 points, post-exercise 5.93±0.81 points). 2. A significant reduction in thoracic kyphosis (pre-exercise 36.97±7.49, post-exercise 31.83 ±5.90) and a significant increase in thoracic flexibility in the extension direction (pre-exercise 7 . 4 7±2.30, post-exercise 11.77±3.65) were observed in the exercise group. The thoracic