Correlation between Neck Pain and Postural Abnormalities among Female Office Workers at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University

Abstract

Background: Neck pain is a common problem of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Office workers have a higher risk of developing neck pain compared to the general population, and female office workers are three times more likely to develop neck pain. Objectives: To examine the relationships between neck pain and disability, thoracic kyphosis, and cervical sagittal translation mobility among female office workers and to determine the impact of demographics on pain intensity. Methods: Cross sectional study of a sample of 140 female office workers (age 35.47 ± 4.56 years) with nonspecific neck pain. The outcome measures included: pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), neck disability index (Neck Disability Index), thoracic kyphosis (Spinal Mouse) and cervical sagittal translation mobility (Myrin’s inclinometer/goniometer). Multiple Linear Regression was utilized to analyze the association between pain intensity and neck dysfunctions. Univariate analysis of variance determined the impact of the participants’ demographics on pain intensity. Results: Pain intensity is significantly associated with high neck disability, a high thoracic kyphosis (t= 2.677, 18.466, p= 0.008, 0.000 respectively), and limitation of cervical sagittal translation mobility (t = -2.411, p= 0.017). A significant relationship exists between pain intensity and age (F= 2.839 ,P= 0.000), years of experience (F= 75.759, P= 0.000), and daily paperwork hours (F= 11.603 ,P= 0.000). In contrast, no significant relationship exists between pain intensity and BMI (F= 1.802 ,P = 0.184), daily working hours, and computer hours (F= 0.707, 1.387, P= 0.497, 0.240 respectively). Conclusion: High pain intensity may be associated with increased disability, thoracic kyphosis abnormality, and limitation in cervical sagittal translation mobility among female office workers. Advanced age, increased years of experience, and more paperwork hours have an impact on increased neck pain intensity in this population.