scholarly journals Neckio: Motivating Neck Exercises in Computer Workers

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4928
Author(s):  
Panos Markopoulos ◽  
Xiaoyu Shen ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
Annick Timmermans

Neck pain is common among computer workers who may spend too much time in a static posture facing their display. Regular breaks and variety in one’s posture can help to prevent discomfort and pain. In order to understand how to support computer workers to do so regularly, we surveyed a convenience sample of computer workers (N = 130) regarding their work habits and their attitudes towards neck exercises at the workplace. The survey showed that they are highly motivated, but not able to comply with a neck exercise program. To address this challenge, we designed Neckio, a system that is aimed at encouraging posture variation and facilitating neck exercises at work. Neckio consists in an interactive application and a wireless angulation sensing appliance that can be mounted on the headset that office workers often use for reasons of privacy. Next to providing an interactive exercise program suitable for the workplace, its design places emphasis on an engaging user experience. We report a short-term user experience valuation of Neckio in an actual office environment (N = 10). Participants rated the overall user experience positively and reported to be intrinsically motivated to do the neck exercises. These results indicate the potential of the Neckio as a behavior change support technology to reduce the risk of developing neck pain in computer workers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042110381
Author(s):  
Mosab Amoudi ◽  
Ahmad Ayed

The study aimed to assess the effect of muscle stretching exercise on neck pain and disability among nurses in Palestine. A quasi-experimental, pre–post design with a convenience sample of 90 nurses with moderate-to-severe neck pain from two hospitals in Palestine participated in the study. The hospitals were randomly selected to be an experimental and the other one as a control group. The experimental group received the instruction to perform structured neck and around shoulder stretching exercises two sessions/day for 5 days/week for 1 month. The control group was told to maintain their current level of physical activity. Results showed that the magnitude of improvement in neck pain and disability was greater in the experimental group than in the control group ( t(88) = 8.5, P = 0.001).


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e035245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott L Getsoian ◽  
Surendra M Gulati ◽  
Ikenna Okpareke ◽  
Robert J Nee ◽  
Gwendolen A Jull

ObjectivesNeck pain commonly accompanies recurrent headaches such as migraine, tension-type and cervicogenic headache. Neck pain may be part of the headache symptom complex or a local source. Patients commonly seek neck treatment to alleviate headache, but this is only indicated when cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction is the source of pain. Clinical presentation of reduced cervical extension, painful cervical joint dysfunction and impaired muscle function collectively has been shown to identify cervicogenic headache among patients with recurrent headaches. The pattern’s validity has not been tested against the ‘gold standard’ of controlled diagnostic blocks. This study assessed the validity of this pattern of cervical musculoskeletal signs to identify a cervical source of headache and neck pain, against controlled diagnostic blocks, in patients with headache and neck pain.DesignProspective concurrent validity study that employed a diagnostic model building approach to analysis.SettingHospital-based multidisciplinary outpatient clinic in Joliet, Illinois.ParticipantsA convenience sample of participants who presented to a headache clinic with recurrent headaches associated with neck pain. Sixty participants were enrolled and thirty were included in the analysis.Outcome measuresParticipants underwent a clinical examination consisting of relevant tests of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. Controlled diagnostic blocks of C2/C3–C3/C4 established a cervical source of neck pain. Penalised logistic regression identified clinical signs to be included in a diagnostic model that best predicted participants’ responses to diagnostic blocks.ResultsTen of thirty participants responded to diagnostic blocks. The full pattern of cervical musculoskeletal signs best predicted participants’ responses (expected prediction error = 0.57) and accounted for 65% of the variance in responses.ConclusionsThis study confirmed the validity of the musculoskeletal pattern to identify a cervical source of headache and neck pain. Adopting this criterion pattern may strengthen cervicogenic headache diagnosis and inform differential diagnosis of neck pain accompanying migraine and tension-type headache.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1021.1-1021
Author(s):  
L. Beyaztaş ◽  
E. Tonga

Background:Mobile health applications are frequently used to increase exercise adherence in patients with musculoskeletal problems. However, the usability of these health mobile applications mostly has not been proven. In our previous study, the usability of the mobile app, which includes postural correction and neck spinal stabilization exercises, has been proven. (M.U-NeckExercise application)Objectives:The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the mobile application-based home exercise program for patients with chronic neck pain.Methods:60 people with chronic neck pain were participated in the our study. They were randomized into two groups. The first group (n:30) received home exercises via the novel mobile app, and the second group (n:30) received the same home exercises via the brochure. The exercise program consisted of neck and thoracic postural correction and neck spinal stabilization exercises. Participants has been requested to do the exercises 3 days in a week for 6 weeks. Participants’ pain levels were assessed by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), their neck-related functional limitations were evaluated by Neck Pain and Disability Index (BADI). Exercise adherence was meausered with a ratio of total participated sessions compared with the target defined by patient activation monitor and exercise adherance questionnaire. Targeted participation were %60 of total sessions.Results:In both groups, the improvement in VAS and BADI scores was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was found that the pain parameters of VAS score decreased statistically more in the mobile application-based exercise group (p<0.05). While there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the BADI score, the effect size results was higher in the mobile app group (effect size= 0.411). Our exercise commitment target in the mobile app group was an average of 10.5 sessions. The target session number has been reached 11.25 sessions.Conclusion:It has been observed that the mobile application-based exercise program is effective in reducing pain and increasing exercise adherence in people with chronic neck pain. The findings support M.U-NeckExercise-App could be recommended to health professionals for exercise prescription in patients with cronic neck pain.References:[1]Tonga E, Can M, Polat MG (2019). ”SAT0730-HPR development and design of smartphone application for postural alignment of cervical and thoracic spine for young adults.” Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 78,2.[2]Voth, E. C., Oelke, N. D., & Jung, M. E. (2016). A theory-based exercise app to enhance exercise adherence: a pilot study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 4(2), e62.VariableGroupX±SSzpPost-Exercise VAS Value (0-10 cm)Mobile app2,90±2,04-3,272**0,001Brochure4,63±1,69Post-Exercise BADI ValueMobile app38,86±12,380,0310,861Brochure32,23±12,35Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S34-S34
Author(s):  
Stephen C Jennings ◽  
Kenneth Manning ◽  
Oliver Massey ◽  
Janet Prvu Bettger ◽  
Candace S Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Rural Veterans often lack access to health care. Veterans Affairs (VA) supports telehealth technologies to provide services remotely that are comparable to onsite in-person care. We piloted VA Video Connect (VVC), to deliver an interactive exercise program for Veterans modeled on the VA Gerofit Program, a successful facility-based exercise program. VVC connects an exercise physiologist directly to the home with smart devices. Invitations to join Gerofit were mailed to 216 rural Veterans. Of 17 respondents, 7 (mean age 68) agreed to VVC tele-exercise 1x week for 12 weeks. Two Veterans were lost to follow-up prior to enrollment. Baseline VVC assessments (N=5) were indicative of high functional impairment in comparison to age-based norms: 2-minute step test (67.2 steps, 5th%tile), 30-second chair stands (12.4 stands, 26th%tile), and 30-second arm curls (15.3 curls, 25th%tile). Feasibility, barriers, and program impact will be discussed. Functional impairment indicates need for telehealth to reach Rural Veterans.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 1350011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Nezamuddin ◽  
Shahnawaz Anwer ◽  
Sohrab Ahmad Khan ◽  
Ameed Equebal

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.


Author(s):  
Divya Jain ◽  
Swapna Jawade ◽  
Neha Chitale

Background: "Text neck" is a term coined to describe the posture created by leaning forward for lengthy periods of time, such as when reading and texting on a cellphone which has been linked to stress injuries. Neck pain, upper back discomfort, shoulder pain, frequent headaches, and greater curvature of the spine are all dangerous indications of text neck. According to a survey, 35% of smartphone users suffer from text neck syndrome. People between the ages of 15 and 18 are more likely to have neck pain. This protocol has been created that describes the design of comparative study to evaluate effectiveness of progressive resisted exercise along with conventional exercise and conventional exercise program alone in text neck syndrome. Methods: The participants (n=80) will be recruited in the study suffering from text neck syndrome and meeting the inclusion criteria. Two groups will be formed such that patients in group A will be treated with conventional therapy and group B will be treated with progressive resisted exercise (PRE) along with conventional therapy. The protocol will cover 4 weeks of treatment. In the rehabilitation period, we will evaluate the pain intensity, strength of neck muscles and functional activity. Our outcome measures will be- Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and Neck disability index (NDI). Discussion: Efficacy of the intervention will be evaluated by analyzing the pain intensity by using Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and level of functional disability by using Neck disability index (NDI). The result of the study will significantly provide affirmation on either using combination therapy of PRE with conventional exercise or conventional exercise alone.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Belen Pérez ◽  
Bram Vrancken ◽  
Natalia Chueca ◽  
Antonio Aguilera ◽  
Gabriel Reina ◽  
...  

Background Reducing the burden of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires large-scale deployment of intervention programmes, which can be informed by the dynamic pattern of HCV spread. In Spain, ongoing transmission of HCV is mostly fuelled by people who inject drugs (PWID) infected with subtype 1a (HCV1a). Aim Our aim was to map how infections spread within and between populations, which could help formulate more effective intervention programmes to halt the HCV1a epidemic in Spain. Methods Epidemiological links between HCV1a viruses from a convenience sample of 283 patients in Spain, mostly PWID, collected between 2014 and 2016, and 1,317, 1,291 and 1,009 samples collected abroad between 1989 and 2016 were reconstructed using sequences covering the NS3, NS5A and NS5B genes. To efficiently do so, fast maximum likelihood-based tree estimation was coupled to a flexible Bayesian discrete phylogeographic inference method. Results The transmission network structure of the Spanish HCV1a epidemic was shaped by continuous seeding of HCV1a into Spain, almost exclusively from North America and European countries. The latter became increasingly relevant and have dominated in recent times. Export from Spain to other countries in Europe was also strongly supported, although Spain was a net sink for European HCV1a lineages. Spatial reconstructions showed that the epidemic in Spain is diffuse, without large, dominant within-country networks. Conclusion To boost the effectiveness of local intervention efforts, concerted supra-national strategies to control HCV1a transmission are needed, with a strong focus on the most important drivers of ongoing transmission, i.e. PWID and other high-risk populations.


Author(s):  
Fanke Peng ◽  
Alessandra Vecchi ◽  
Mouhannad Al-Sayegh ◽  
Susan Hamilton

This chapter aims to open a dialogue on the importance and influence of sizing technology and fashion metadata on fashion e-commerce, especially the use of body metadata and garment metadata. It describes the e-Size project, its objectives, its contribution to specific innovation areas, the methodological approach adopted, as well as presenting the results of an exploratory survey administered to a convenience sample of customers in the attempt to assess the potential validity of the use of sizing software applications amongst fashion retailers. The chapter consists of six sections. The first section outlines the opportunities and challenges for online fashion retailers, the second and third sections analyze fashion metadata (What & How) and Size Technologies for Online Fashion Retail, the fourth section describes the methodology adopted. While the fifth section highlights the preliminary findings of the research, the final section illustrates the conclusion, their limitations and directions for further research.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 3377-3386
Author(s):  
Alma Viviana Silva Guerrero ◽  
Jenny Setchell ◽  
Annick Maujean ◽  
Michele Sterling

Abstract Objectives Neck pain remains highly prevalent and costly worldwide. Although reassurance has been recommended as a first line of treatment, specific advice on the best ways to provide reassurance has not been provided due to lack of evidence. Pain symptoms and experiences differ between patients with whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) and those with nontraumatic neck pain (NTNP). The aims of this study were to 1) identify and compare the concerns, fears, and worries of patients with WAD and NTNP; and 2) determine if patients believe their concerns are addressed by primary care providers. Methods These questions were investigated through an online survey, with a convenience sample of 30 participants with NTNP and 20 with WAD. Results A thematic analysis of survey responses resulted in the following seven themes related to common concerns, and two regarding how well concerns were addressed. Common concerns expressed by both groups shared four themes: 1) further structural damage, 2) psychological distress, 3) concerns about the future, and 4) hardships that eventuate. Theme 5), pain/disability is long term, was specific to WAD. Themes 6), pain is current or reoccurring, and 7), interference with daily life, were specific to NTNP. Regarding how well patient concerns were addressed, two overarching themes were common to both conditions: 1) concerns were addressed, with both groups sharing the subthemes “successful treatment,” “reassurance,” and “trust”; and 2) concerns were not addressed, where all subthemes were shared with the exception of two unique to NTNP. Conclusions This detailed comparison provides information about neck pain patients’ concerns and fears, while providing health practitioners support for selecting strategies to promote reassurance appropriately for individual patient needs. Our findings from patients’ perspectives enhance the understanding for providing reassurance for neck pain as proposed by our analysis.


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