scholarly journals Effect of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Training Using Pressure Biofeedback on Pain and Forward Head Posture in School Teachers with Neck Pain: An Observational Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ahmad H. Alghadir ◽  
Zaheen A. Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Muscle Training ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Pressure Biofeedback

Background. Teaching is one of the professions where incidence and prevalence of neck pain is high. Prolonged use of computers, which has further increased due to online teaching amid pandemic, is known to cause neck pain and alter posture, while people with forward head posture (FHP) are prone to develop neck pain and related disability. Research has shown that impairment of deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles leads to insufficiency in coordination, activation, overload, and poor support on cervical structures that further lead to development of neck pain and altered neck posture. The objective of this study was to see the effect of DCF muscle training using pressure biofeedback on pain and FHP in school teachers with neck pain. Methods. This observational study was conducted at medical center in school premises. Fifty-five school teachers aged between 25 and 40 years with experience of more than 5 years were invited to participate in this study. Subjects were divided in two groups. Both the groups received conventional exercises while in experimental group DCF muscle training using pressure biofeedback was given additionally. Pain and FHP were assessed using NPRS and cranio-vertebral angle using digital photograph technique, respectively, at baseline and end of four weeks of treatment. Results. Although pain and FHP improved in both the groups, mean improvement in both the measures was more in the group that also received DCF training using pressure biofeedback. Conclusions. This study shows that although pain and FHP improved following conventional exercises in school teachers with neck pain, mean improvement was more significant among those who received additional DCF muscle training using pressure biofeedback.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Training on Neck Pain, Functional Disability, and Muscle Endurance in School Teachers: A Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Zaheen A. Iqbal ◽  
Ahmad H. Alghadir ◽  
Shahnawaz Anwer
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Neck Disability Index ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Muscle Endurance ◽  
Muscle Training ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Related Disorder ◽  
Pressure Biofeedback

Background. Neck pain (NP) is a common work-related disorder, with high prevalence in the profession of teaching. The daily duties of a school teacher involve head-down postures while reading and writing, which expose them to the risk of developing NP. Deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles have been reported to have lower endurance in patients with cervical impairment, which has additionally been associated with disability. There is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of training of DCF muscles in occupational NP. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of DCF muscle training on pain, muscle endurance, and functional disability using pressure biofeedback in school teachers with NP. Methods. Sixty-five teachers (age, 25-45 years) with more than 5 years of teaching experience participated in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental (E) and control (C) groups. In the E group, the subjects underwent DCF muscle training using pressure biofeedback in addition to conventional exercises for neck pain, while those in the C group underwent conventional exercises only. Pain, muscle endurance, and disability were measured at day 0 (before the treatment) and days 14 and 42 after the treatment. Endurance of DCF muscles was measured by the craniocervical flexion test using pressure biofeedback, pain intensity was measured using the numeric pain rating scale, and functional disability was assessed using the neck disability index questionnaire. This study was performed in accordance with CONSORT guidelines. Results. On day 0, there were no significant differences in the age, pain, muscle endurance, and disability levels between the groups. After initiating the intervention, although there were improvements in both groups, there was a statistically significant improvement in muscle endurance, pain, and disability in subjects who received additional training with pressure biofeedback. Conclusions. Besides increasing muscle endurance, specific training of DCF muscles in addition to conventional exercises can improve neck pain and functional disability. These results should be further correlated clinically. A dedicated time for exercises at school could help prevent the development of NP in teachers. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03537300 May 24, 2018 (retrospectively registered).

EFFICACY OF PRESSURE-BIOFEEDBACK GUIDED DEEP CERVICAL FLEXOR TRAINING ON NECK PAIN AND MUSCLE PERFORMANCE IN VISUAL DISPLAY TERMINAL OPERATORS

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 1350011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Nezamuddin ◽  
Shahnawaz Anwer ◽  
Sohrab Ahmad Khan ◽  
Ameed Equebal
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Visual Display ◽  
Muscle Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Women Patients ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Visual Display Terminal ◽  
Pressure Biofeedback

Purpose: This randomized trial study compared the efficacy of pressure-biofeedback guided deep cervical flexor training as an adjunct with conventional exercise on pain and muscle performance in visually displayed terminal operators. Methods: A total of 50 (22 men and 28 women) patients with neck pain participated in the study. Patients were randomly placed into two groups: a biofeedback group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 25). The biofeedback group received pressure-biofeedback guided deep cervical flexor training program for 5 days a week for 6 weeks, whereas the control group received an exercise program only. Results: On intergroup comparisons, the deep cervical flexor performance in biofeedback group, at the end of 6th week was significantly higher than those of control group (p < 0.01). Pain intensity was also significantly reduced in biofeedback group when compared to control group at the end of trial (p < 0.004). Conclusion: The addition of pressure-biofeedback to a 6-week conventional program appeared to increase deep cervical flexor muscle performance, compared to the exercise program alone for people with reduced muscle performance.

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