Neck Problems Research Articles

Development of an Integrated Physiotherapy Treatment Protocol for Desk Job Personals: A Pilot Research

Objectives: To develop an Integrated validated Physiotherapy Treatment Protocol for Desk Job personnel along with an assessment of its effectiveness. Methods: The research was conducted utilizing a mixed-method methodology. Interviews with thirty computer professionals (having more than five years of experience) and a thorough in-depth literature research were conducted to identify various symptoms which are commonly seen among computer professionals. Search engines such as Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, and EBSCO CINAHL were used with terms such as Neck Problems in Computer Professionals(cs), Treatment Techniques used in Cervical Spondylitis, and Motor or Sensory issues in Computer Professionals. The treatment protocol was created with the help of identified symptoms and validated using the Delphi technique. After the protocol was developed, a randomized control trial was conducted with thirty samples in each group. A developed and validated regimen was provided to the participants. Findings: Item level CVI ranges from 0.79 to 1. The Kappa results demonstrated the protocol's strong content validity, which ranged from 0.79 to 1. In comparison to day 1, there was a decline in both groups' scores of NDI and NPRS on day 30, and there was an even more noticeable decrease on day 60. The experimental group showed a much greater reduction in neck pain and disability when compared to the control group. Novelty: The study has focussed on a new category of occupational health issues, namely computer-related health issues, for which there is no established set of Physiotherapy Protocol that can either prevent or treat the issues. Keywords: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI), Integrated Physiotherapy Treatment Protocol (IPTP)

An assessment of musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity levels in dentists: Across-sectional study.

Dentistry is a physically and mentally demanding profession that involves long periods of muscle imbalance and asymmetrical postures when performing delicate procedures. This can lead to a high incidence of work-related diseases. However, physical activity may prevent or minimize the incidence of musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. The present study aimed to determine the association between musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity levels in dentists practicing in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2023 with dentists from Turkey actively practicing dentistry. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to determine dentists' physical activity levels, and the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to assess musculoskeletal disorders. IBM SPSS 20 software was used for statistical analysis. Data were presented as mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum, percentage, and number. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, One-Sample Chi-Square tests, and an ordinal logistic regression test were used. The statistical significance level was taken as p < 0.05. A total of 116 dentists (63 females 53 males) between the ages of 24 and 60 (36.37±7.32) were included in the study. Forty-eight participants had a low level of physical activity, 56 had a moderate level of physical activity (MLPA), and 12 had a high level of physical activity (HLPA). There was no significant difference between the gender (p = 0.224) and age (p = 0.469) of the participants and levels of physical activity. Musculoskeletal discomfort was reported by 93.1% (n = 108) of the participants in one or more body parts (p < 0.001) and 55.6% (n = 60) of them were female. The number of dentists with neck (p < 0.001) and shoulder (p = 0.05) problems was significantly higher. There was no significant effect of gender (p > 0.05) on musculoskeletal conditions. However, the relationship between musculoskeletal conditions and physical activity levels was inconsistent. The HLPA group reported the lowest discomfort for all body parts, except the elbows and knees (p < 0.05). The MLPA group reported higher discomfort in the neck, shoulder, upper back, wrists/hands, lower back, and knees. The group with the lowest physical activity exhibited the highest discomfort in the elbow and ankle/feet regions. This study found that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was high among dentists, many of whom reported either low or moderate physical activity levels. The results of this study may enhance dentists' understanding of work-related musculoskeletal diseases and promote their participation in physical activities.

Comparison between Classical- and Rotational-Mechanical-Chair-Assisted Maneuvers in a Population of Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Introduction: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) stands as the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. Its treatment with repositioning maneuvers on an examination table is highly effective. However, patients with back or neck problems, paraplegia, or other conditions face challenges with these maneuvers, potentially experiencing longer healing times and creating additional difficulties for physicians diagnosing and treating BPPV in everyday practice. The emergence of mechanical rotational chairs (MRCs) offers a more convenient alternative for performing these maneuvers. Objectives: The primary objective was to compare the effectiveness of maneuvers on the examination table with those on MRCs in BPPV patients diagnosed in the emergency room and randomly classified into one of the treatment options. The secondary objectives included a comparison of patient quality of life during BPPV episodes and after their resolution and an analysis of recurrences and associated risk factors. Methods: This was a cohort study on sixty-three patients diagnosed with BPPV in the emergency department. Patients were classified into two cohorts depending on diagnostic and treatment maneuvers (MRC or conventional repositioning maneuvers (CRMs)) and received weekly follow-ups until positioning maneuvers became negative. Subsequent follow-ups were conducted at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the resolution of vertigo. Patients were classified into two groups based on their assigned treatment method. Results: Thirty-one patients were treated with CRMs and 32 with TRV. Mean age was 62.29 ± 17.67 years and the most affected canal was the PSC (96.8%). The mean number of required maneuvers was two, while 55.56% only required one maneuver until resolution. Recurrence was present in 26.98% of the patients during the 6-month follow-up. Comparing both cohorts, there were no statistically significant differences between treatments (TRV vs. CRM) regarding the number of maneuvers, number of recurrences, and days until remission of BPPV. Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Visual Analogue Scale values decreased considerably after BPPV resolution, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. Age was identified as a covariable in the number of maneuvers and days until BPPV resolution, showing that an increase in age implies a greater need of maneuvers. Conclusions: There was no difference between the means of treatment for BPPV in our population ot There was no difference between the groups of treatments for BPPV in our population. The quality of life of patients improved six months after the resolution of BPPV, regardless of the treatment applied.

Occupational health disorders among physical education teachers compared to classroom and subject specialist teachers.

During the course of their work, teachers may be subjected to conditions that cause different health problems. This study examines occupational health disorders in a representative sample of 858 teachers (528 female; age 44.0 ± 9.67 years) divided into three groups of teachers with specific occupational requirements: specialist physical education teachers (specialist PETs), classroom teachers, and specialist teachers. The number of health disorders in the last 12 months was recorded using the Chronic Health Disorders Questionnaire. The differences between the different types of teachers, controlled for sex and age, were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The results showed that 89% of teachers experienced colds as the most frequently reported health problem, followed by 58% for lower back problems, 57% for headaches, 51% for hoarseness, and 43% for neck problems. A binary logistic regression showed that specialist PETs were the group with the highest health risk. They were about twice as likely to have musculoskeletal or hearing disorders than the other two groups of teachers. They were also significantly more likely to suffer from hoarseness. Understanding these different health challenges is critical to developing targeted interventions and robust support systems. These interventions should include initiatives aimed at raising awareness of health risk factors, implementing injury interventions and vocal cord hygiene programs, making ergonomic adjustments, and promoting awareness of self-care (both mental and physical). Given that the teaching profession is currently struggling with an aging workforce and a shortage of teachers, addressing these challenges is critical to the continued well-being of the teaching professionals.

Review on Current Issues related to Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are one of the most common occupational ailments in recent decades, significantly limiting people's daily lives. Globally, WMSDs are the major cause of employee pain, impairment, absenteeism, reduced productivity, and large financial costs. WRMSDs are illnesses that develop over time because of long-term occupational exposure to varying-intensity loads. WRMSDs are produced by discomfort or injury to the muscles and bones of the upper limbs because of activity. Low-extremity illnesses, like upper-limb diseases, may be just as dangerous, There is a high prevalence of neck and upper extremity problems among computer users. Upper extremities diseases were more common in older personnel. The physiological outcome of prolonged, repetitive, or repeating muscle contractions with insufficient recovery is localised muscular fatigue (WMSDs). Muscle tiredness has a substantial impact on occupational task performance, hence preventing it is crucial. The key challenge in ergonomics is to create work that avoids WMSDs while retaining high levels of output quality and productivity. Uncomfortable postures are commonly recognised as a major contributor of MSD among construction workers. Because of their linearity, ergonomic metrics can be incorporated into assembly line design models. They can also be utilised to take use of efficient solution methods established for optimal line design which are beneficial in the assembly line industry. Real-time risk assessment for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has proven to be challenging to research. Working at a fast speed and performing repetitive activities, as well as maintaining non-neutral body postures, are all physical risk factors for WMSDs. This review discuses common issue related to WMSDs which includes upper extremity, upper limbs, carpal tunnel syndrome, awkward postures, muscle activity, muscle fatigue, assembly line and risk assessment. The aim is to provide an overview of the problems related to the subject matter.

Validation of the Cervical Torsion Test and Head-Neck Differentiation Test in Patients With Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction.

This study compared adults with peripheral vestibular hypofunction (VH) to healthy controls and assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the Cervical Torsion Test (CTT) and the Head-Neck Differentiation Test (HNDT). This study aimed to determine whether neck problems affected primary outcomes. This cross-sectional study included adults from a specialist consultation for dizziness. VH had been diagnosed with the video Head Impulse Test. Exclusion criteria were conditions following head or neck trauma and diseases of the central nervous system. The sensitivity and specificity of the index tests were calculated, and regression analyses were performed to test for contributing factors. A total of 19 patients with VH and a historical cohort of 19 matched healthy controls were included. Most patients with VH (84.2%) experienced symptoms in at least 1 test component, compared to 5.2% of the control group. Of patients with VH, 78.9% had symptoms during the HNDT "en bloc" (en bloc = head and trunk rotated together), whereas only 26.3% reported symptoms during the CTT en bloc. The best discriminatory validity was found for the HNDT en bloc, with a sensitivity of 0.79 (95% CI = 0.54-0.94), a specificity of 0.86 (95% CI = 0.65-0.97), and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.79 (95% CI = 1.97-17.00). The number of symptoms of CTT "in torsion" (in torsion = trunk rotated actively with fixed head) was increased by a factor of 1.13 (95% CI = 1.01-1.27) for every additional point on the Neck Disability Index. The CTT and HNDT can serve as non-laboratory tests for patients with dizziness. The HNDT en bloc has the best discriminatory validity, finding those with and those without VH. Symptom reproduction during torsion may help to identify when neck problems may contribute to dizziness. The HNDT en bloc may be useful for ruling VH in or out in patients with dizziness. Positive CTT and HNDT in torsion components may verify the likelihood of additional neck involvement.

Measuring the usability of a novel ergonomic chinrest during violin playing: A feasibility study.

Playing the violin often requires a rotated and lateral flexed neck, leading to potential neck and shoulder problems. An ergonomic chinrest (EC) with or without a shoulder rest (SR or WSR) may enhance neutral neck positioning, but the feasibility of the EC needs to be studied. Our goal was to evaluate the usability of the EC for a two-week familiarisation period, including aspects such as playing performance, comfort level, and emotional response (e.g., feelings about using the product) among a group of violinists. A one-arm feasibility study was conducted to assess the feasibility of violinists playing with EC every day for two weeks. Six violinists who usually played with SR were included and asked to divide their daily playing time equally between SR and WSR. Feasibility outcomes were measured as adherence (days), compliance (playing hours per day) and usability (5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions). Compliance was achieved with a minimum of 25% playing time. Daily violin playing with EC showed high adherence of 89.3%. Compliance with the 25% play time criterion was met for SR, but not for WSR. Low playing performance (median 45.8 points difference), long confidence time (two violinists failed to reach a confidence level) and mainly negative feedback (26 out of 33 comments) were found in WSR compared to SR. The feasibility of playing WSR was low and negatively impacted playing performance. As a result, a larger-scale study will only evaluate the EC with SR due to greater feasibility.

Flipping the mJOA: Clinical utility of the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score as a tool for detecting degenerative cervical myelopathy

IntroductionPeople with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) often experience diagnostic delay. This could lead to poorer outcomes, including disability. Research questionDoes the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA) have clinical utility as an early detection tool for possible DCM? Materials and methodsThis is a prospective study of consecutive adult patients, referred to a National Neurosurgical Centre with a neck problem. Assessing clinicians undertook standard clinical examination and calculated the mJOA score. A consultant radiologist independently reported radiological findings, after which the assessing clinician determined the diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of mJOA for DCM at various cut-points was statistically analysed using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves. ResultsOf 201 patients (98 male, mean age 52.6 ± 13y) assessed over 13 months, 21 were diagnosed with DCM (prevalence 10.4%). Fifteen (71.4%) had a mJOA score classifying disease severity as mild, 4/21 (19%) had moderate disease and two (9.5%) had severe disease. A mJOA score ≤17 (cutpoint ≥1) showed sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 71% for the clinical diagnosis of DCM. mJOA score ≤16 (cutpoint ≥2) had sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 90%. The ROC area under the curve was 0.885 (95% confidence interval: 0.82 to 0.95). 87% of patients were correctly classified. Discussion and conclusionmJOA score ≤16 is 90% specific for a subsequent diagnosis of DCM in people with neck problems and has potential to be used as an early detection tool. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and establish feasibility and acceptability in primary care.

Ergonomic Workspace Design to Reduce the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Office activities were closely tied to document handling and computer interaction. Based on initial identification with the Nordic Body Map, MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders) complaints were identified in the shoulders, wrists, waist, buttocks, and back. This study aimed to offer recommendations for enhancing office workstations to minimize the risk of MSDs. The methods used are ROSA to identify employee work postures, product design to provide proposed work facilities, 5S for document organization, and a Radar Chart for evaluation. Initial identification shows the problems that exist in work facilities, workspace layout, and work environment factors. The initial identification of the workspace with Radar Chart also showed a poor score on 5 aspects of Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke with an average of 41.75. The proposed intervention is the improvement of ergonomic tables and chairs, structuring documents by applying 5S aspects, and improving the layout of the workspace. The proposed improvements were then evaluated again using the Office 5S Audit Checklist and Radar Chart so that after the ergonomics intervention, the Radar Chart value became 90.75 (excellent) and the 5S aspects (Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke) increased. The results of this improvement can be expected to overcome the risk of MSDS problems in the lower neck, buttocks, back, and waist and the resulting ergonomic, organized, and efficient workstations.

Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation versus low level laser therapy on shoulder adhesive capsulitis post-neck dissection surgery

IntroductionNeck dissection (ND) operations are performed to treat known metastatic neck illness. These operations have been associated with chronic neck and shoulder problems. In patients who have had a ND, adhesive capsulitis (AC) is one of the causes of shoulder dysfunction.MethodsForty patients with AC following modified radical neck dissection (MRND) surgeries were chosen at random and divided into two groups of equal size. The low-level laser therapy (LLLT) group (group A) received LLLT with: wavelength – 830 nm, output – 50 mw, maximum frequency – 5000 Hz, pulse duration – 50 ns, and average dose – 9 J/cm2 for 20 min, plus traditional physical therapy (mobilisation technique, myofascial release, range of motion (ROM), and strengthening exercises) for 30 min. The proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) group (group B) received PNF for 25–30 min in addition to traditional physical therapy. The treatment period was 3 times each week and lasted for eight weeks. The discomfort in the shoulder was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Shoulder impairment and pain were assessed by the SPADI scale and the shoulder ranges of motion were assessed using the universal goniometer technique. All measures were taken before and after the intervention.ResultsThe findings reveal that there was a significant enhancement in all variables in both groups A and B after therapy compared to before the treatment (p &lt; 0.001). After therapy, there were no obvious changes in the VAS and SPADI values among the groups (p &gt; 0.05). However, statistical analysis showed significant improvement in the PNF group (group B) in shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation in comparison to that of the LLLT group (group A) after treatment (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsPNF proved to be more effective than LLLT in increasing ROM but was as effective as LLLT in decreasing shoulder pain and dysfunction in AC post ND surgery.

Botox Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

An exotoxin called botulinum toxin, or Botox, is isolated from Clostridium botulinum. It prevents the cholinergic nerve end plates from releasing acetylcholine, which causes the innervated muscles or glands to become inactive. Botox has proven to be effective for improving facial cosmetics, but new research has shown that it can also be used to treat a variety of surgical and medical disorders that aren't cosmetic. This article examines the available data regarding Botox use for non-cosmetic head and neck problems too. Because of its quick, distinct and long-lasting outcomes for the reduction of facial fine lines and wrinkles and cosmetic rejuvenation, injectable treatments like botulinum toxin are gaining popularity. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can also be treated with Botox. Botox treatment can reduce the frequency of migraines, with chronic migraines requiring treatment in every three months. Additionally, Botox can help in reducing urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder. However, the usage of pure botulinum toxin dosages employed by certified healthcare professionals are strictly to be done under the stringent medical guidelines. When handled properly, botulinum toxins utilized in medicine are non- hazardous.

The Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Neck Pain Prevalence among Older Population: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: After pandemics of covid 19, world interaction has been more through social media and through virtual. With lots of benefit of the technology, there is a pitfall of this also. Because of this, usage of smart phone has increased so addiction of it occurs even in elderly population. Due to their posture of using smart phone, and its addiction, there may be chances of having additional neck pain and disabilities. So, here is the need to see whether their smart phone addiction has any role in their neck pain prevalence.&#x0D; Methodology: The study examined 90 elderly population from Ahmedabad by random table sampling, in the age group of 60-70 years. Participants were asked to fill a Performa with the questionnaires of smart phone addiction scale (SAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Level of significant was kept at 5%. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to correlate between both SAS and NDI.&#x0D; Result: From 90 participants, there was 36 females and 54 males. Mean±SD of SAS and NDI was 107.8±22.5 and 7.4±4.99 respectively. Spearman correlation coefficient showed a significant Moderate positive correlation between SAS and NDI (r=0.649, p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: The study showed the positive correlation between smartphone addiction and musculoskeletal problems in neck in elderly population.

Neurofilament light protein as a cerebrospinal fluid marker after whiplash trauma

The purpose was to investigate if a whiplash trauma may cause an increased concentration of the Neurofilament Light (NFL) protein, and if so; is this related to the injury severity and the radiological findings? Adult car occupants, with neck problems after rear-end collisions, were investigated in a study on Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD) in 1997-2001. The study protocol included a neurological examination, plain radiography and MRT of the cervical spine, and a lumbar puncture for Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) within six weeks after the accident. Similar CSF samples were also taken three and twelve months later. All CSF samples were analyzed for NFL. Of 52 subjects who entered the study, 43 completed it. The WAD grade was I in two of the 43 cases, II in 13, and III in 28. No one had radiological signs, indicating injuries to the cervical spine or spinal cord. Six subjects showed an increased NFL concentration at the primary examination. This was judged to be caused by whiplash trauma in three of them (7%). There was no relation between an increased NFL concentration and the number of pathological changes on plain radiographs or MRT. Neither was there a relation between the NFL concentration and the WAD grade. An increased NFL concentration can be found in some WAD patients. It might be difficult to relate such an increase to clinical or radiological findings. Further studies should investigate NFL as a marker for injuries to the central nervous system in whiplash trauma, including minimal traumatic brain injuries.

Static structural analysis of lower extremity Exoskeleton for industry working Personnel using an analysis software

The problem faced by active workers, Teachers, laboratory technicians, etc is that they have to work for a long period standing and this leads to sore feet, swelling of the legs, general muscular fatigue, low back pain, stiffness in the neck, and shoulders, and other health problems. To reduce these health risks, a Lower body Exoskeleton or Assistive Exoskeleton Device for Industrial Personnel has been invented. An Assistive Exoskeleton Device for Industrial Personnel is a portable device that looks nothing like a chair and allows you to sit on it whenever and wherever you want. This flexible, ergonomic device looks more like an exoskeleton and extends from the hip to the feet, and adapts to different body sizes. With the Assistive Exoskeleton Device for Industrial Personnel, the user can walk along with the sitting support while wearing it, without obstructing the workspace, at the same time avoiding strenuous postures such as bending, squatting, or crouching. It is meant to reduce worker fatigue and work-related accidents while improving productivity. It can be customized to fit all sizes and outfits. This project aims to design and analyze the Assistive Exoskeleton Device for Industrial Personnel for different weights and positions. The Assistive Exoskeleton Device for Industrial Personnel is designed by using CREO Parametric 8.0.2.0 And analysis is completed by using ANSYS workbench 2022 R1. Based on the results of the research, a comfortable, safe-to-use Assistive Exoskeleton Device for Industrial Personnel was designed with local components. The results of this study will be the reference for further development.

Neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal problems in cosmetologists caused by work-related ergonomic risk factors in Denizli, Turkey.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the neck and upper limbs are a common health problem among cosmetologists. Hairdressing requires bending, twisting, static postures, prolonged standing, repetitive motions, and vigorous movements of the hands and fingers. In order to determine the proper ergonomic measures, identifying the factors and hairdressing jobs that increase the risk of work-related neck and upper limb disorders is needed. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSDs in the neck and upper extremities of cosmetologists and to investigate the association with ergonomic risk factors and hairdressing work. The cross-sectional study was conducted on cosmetologists in Denizli, Turkey province (n = 504). Data collected through a survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, work organization, equipment, and hairdressing work, items on work posture, the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Work posture in hairdressing was assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). The prevalence of MSDs of the neck and upper limbs in the previous twelve months ranged from 7.7-55.8%. There was high, or very high, risk in 56.1% of work postures, and the median RULA score was 5.0 (4.0-6.0). The significant predictors of pain were work experience, gender, marital status, risk perception, awkward posture, psychological demand, and hair coloring. It is necessary to take control measures in hairdressing salons promptly to adopt more suitable working posture and to design workplaces ergonomically.

Clinical Relevance of Dental Parameters and Symptoms in Patients Suffering from TMD and Tinnitus and a Randomised Trial Measuring Symptom Relief after Using a Relaxation Device

Aim: Tinnitus is a common symptom in dental patients presenting with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). In this study, 66 patients were examined and underlying variations in dental appearance, jaw position, jaw joint health, radiographic findings, and symptoms were recorded. The patients were randomly placed into either an intervention or a control group to assess the effectiveness of a relaxation device aiming to reduce tinnitus. Method: 100 patients referred for TMD problems and suffering from tinnitus were asked to participate in the study. 66 patients completed two questionnaires before the first consultation with a specialist in orofacial pain and function and 46 of them completed the randomised trial. Results: TMD patients most likely to be suffering from tinnitus had experienced stress, felt tension in the jaw or presented with neck problems. Clinical dental examinations revealed that these patients displayed a deep bite, had a click or scrape sound from their jaw joints and/or had parafunctional habits (grinding or clenching their teeth). Patients in the relaxation device group reported significant improvement at p&lt;0.01 compared with control group after 4 months treatment. Conclusion: This study presents general clinical signs and criteria that also non-dental medical professionals can use as a guide for referring tinnitus patients for specialist dental care. Patients under stress who are clenching or grinding their teeth, have missing teeth, midline shift and experience sounds from their jaw joints could benefit from examination by a dental specialist and the use of a relaxation device.

Association Between Mobile Phone Usage and Neck Pain in Medical Students of Islamabad Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Neck pain has become a common issue among today's students, affecting their studies and daily activities. Prolonged use of laptops and cell phones, leading to incorrect head and cervical spine posture, is considered a major contributing factor. This study aimed to determine the frequency of neck pain among medical students who use these devices and identify the specific areas of discomfort and the duration of device usage that causes pain. Additionally, the study aimed to identify risk factors associated with symptoms during device use, particularly in sitting postures, and explore the occurrence of neck and shoulder problems along with potential risk factors. Methodology: The study involved an observational cross-sectional design conducted on a population of medical students. A self-administered, closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire focused on variables such as duration of device usage, positions adopted while using the devices, affected areas of discomfort, and the impact of smartphone use on sleep. Convenience sampling was employed to select participants, and statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, presenting the results in the form of graphs and tables. Results: A total of 500 students participated in the study. The findings revealed that 76% of the students experienced neck, shoulder, or hand pain. Among them, 39.5% reported symptoms appearing after 3-4 hours of device use, while 56% experienced discomfort lasting less than 30 minutes. Furthermore, 65.5% stated that their discomfort did not interfere with their sleep, and 59.5% reported recurring neck pain. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that neck discomfort is a prevalent issue among college students, with risk factors such as poor posture and inadequate body ergonomics. Managing these risk factors through posture adjustment and avoiding behaviors that exacerbate neck pain can help alleviate the issue.

Musculoskeletal problems, attitudes and behaviors related to physical activity, and social media addiction in musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Musculoskeletal problems are common in musicians. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has brought with it lockdowns and quarantine periods, and as a result, caused physical and psychological problems. To evaluate musculoskeletal problems, attitudes and behaviors related to physical activity, and social media addiction in musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 137 musicians (string, keyboard, wind, percussion instrument players, and vocalists) online. Musculoskeletal problems with Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), attitudes and behaviors related to physical activity with Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire (CBPAQ), social media addiction with Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) were evaluated. In CMDQ, it was found that upper back, lower back, and neck problems were more common in all musicians. There were no differences between instrument groups in terms of CBPAQ sub-dimensions, total CBPAQ, and total BSMAS (p > 0.05). Considering the dramatic effects of COVID-19, it may be important not to ignore musicians' musculoskeletal problems. It is recommended to design future studies investigating the effects of social media platforms on physical activity awareness by turning the opportunities of COVID-19 into advantages for challenges in musicians.

Self-Reported Reasons for Activity Limitations According to Age and Sex in Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors.

We examined self-reported reasons for activity limitations among Korean community-dwelling stroke survivors, focusing on age and sex differences. Data from 1547 stroke survivors who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analysed. The study outcomes were the self-reported reasons for activity limitations, encompassing general medical factors and stroke-related problems. These reasons were compared by age (<65 vs. ≥65 years) and sex using a complex-sample chi-square test. Stroke survivors reported different musculoskeletal, medical, and neurological problems as reasons for activity limitations, which differed by age and sex. Older stroke survivors reported more problems related to dementia, memory loss, auditory problems, back or neck problems, arthritis, or leg pain than younger survivors. Women reported more psychiatric problems, headaches or dizziness, back or neck problems, arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, and dental or oral problems than men. Older and female stroke survivors reported a higher mean number of reasons for activity limitations compared to younger and male survivors. Thus, a tailored approach considering age and sex is necessary to help stroke survivors with activity limitations in the Korean community. This study highlights the importance of considering demographic factors when designing interventions to improve their quality of life.

The effect of tablet tilt angles and time on posture, muscle activity, and discomfort at the neck and shoulder in healthy young adults.

Although young adults regularly perform tablet writing, biomechanics during the tablet writing with different tilt angles has not been studied. The objective of this study was to compare posture, muscle activity, and discomfort at the neck and shoulder between tablet writing with 0° (horizontal) and 30° tablet tilt angles over 40 minutes in healthy young adults. Twenty participants wrote continuously for 40 minutes on a tablet with both tilt angles in a randomized order. Between conditions, there was a 5-minute activity break. Differences in neck and shoulder posture, muscle activity, and discomfort between both tablet tilt angles and changes in the outcomes every 10 minutes over 40 minutes were investigated. With the tilted tablet, there were lower neck flexion (Z = -4.637, P<0.001), lower shoulder extension (Z = -3.734, P<0.001), and lower neck Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (left; Z = -4.699, P<0.001 and right; Z = -3.874, P<0.001) as compared to the no tilt condition. However, the right upper trapezius muscle activity was higher in the tilted condition as compared to the no tilt one. Over 40 minutes, the neck VAS (left; χ2(4) = 30.235, P<0.001 and right; χ2(4) = 32.560, P<0.001) and heart rate variability (χ2(4) = 12.906, P = 0.012) showed notable increases after 20 minutes compared to baseline. In conclusion, adjusting the tablet tilt to 30° and limiting time spent to 20 minutes are recommended for young adults during the tablet writing to prevent neck problems.