Overview
The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a general training program and educational session to prevent neck and/or low back pain in desktop workers
Description
After being informed about the study and potential risks, all subjects that met the preset inclusion criteria and gave written informed consent to participate will be randomized into an intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Next, subjects of both groups will undergo baseline testing (online survey). The subjects of the intervention group receive a single educational video (online) and are motivated to follow 2 training sessions of 60 minutes each, during 12 consecutive weeks. Instructions for the specific exercises are provided via an online platform. The subjects of the control group are instructed to maintain their normal working activities and activities of daily life and receive no further intervention. Subjects of both groups are prompted to fill out a weekly online logbook to gather information on their physical activity and neck and/or back complaints. All subjects undergo post-intervention testing at 12 weeks (short term effects), 6 months, and 12 months (long term effects).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria
- age between 18-69 years
- perform regular desktop work (at least 20 hours/week)
- perform desktop work for at least 1 year (employee or student)
Exclusion Criteria:
- documented structural neck- and/or back pathology (confirmed by medical imaging)
- known shoulder or vestibular pathology
- whiplash-associated disorders
- history of surgery in the neck, shoulder, hip, and/or back area
- (history of) chronic pain condition
- serious headache
- serious cardiovascular/metabolic/systemic/neurological conditions
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- fibromyalgia
- psychiatric conditions or history of serious depression
- serious catastrophizing thoughts
- pregnancy or delivery in the past year