Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
People use computers in offices and workplaces daily to perform
different activities. Impaired cervical proprioception and forward head posture
(FHP) may contribute to the development and maintenance of neck pain in computer
users. The aims of this study are 1) to compare cervical joint position sense
(JPS) in computer users with neck pain, with FHP, healthy computer users, and
healthy non-computer users, 2) to assess the relationship between cervical JPS
and age, BMI, pain, disability, head posture, and duration of computer
usage.
Materials and Methods
This cross-sectional study included 134 subjects
aged between 25 to 50 years old in four groups (Group 1: computer users with
neck pain (n=31), group 2: computer users with FHP (n=33), Group
3: healthy computer users (n=35), and Group 4: healthy non-computer
users (n=35). The cervical JPS was evaluated in flexion, extension left
and right rotation directions using a cervical range of motion device. The
reposition accuracy is estimated as joint position error (JPE) in degrees. The
cervical JPS is compared between groups and correlated with age, BMI, pain,
disability, head posture, and duration of computer usage.
Results and Discussion
The mean cervical JPE's were significantly
larger in the neck pain group (p<0.001) and in the FHP group
(p<0.001) compared to other groups. There were no significant
differences in JPE's between healthy computer users and non-users
(p.>0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between
JPE's and age, pain intensity, disability, and computer usage
duration.
Conclusion
Computer users with neck pain and with FHP had significantly
impaired cervical JPS. Factors like FHP, pain intensity, disability, and
duration of computer usage may influence cervical JPS, and these factors can be
considered when assessing and planning treatment strategies for computer
professionals.