Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Alterations in cervical muscle activity in functional and stressful tasks in female office workers with neck pain

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study determined differences between computer workers with varying levels of neck pain in terms of work stressors, employee strain, electromyography (EMG) amplitude and heart rate response to various tasks. Participants included 85 workers (33, no pain; 38, mild pain; 14, moderate pain) and 22 non-working controls. Work stressors evaluated were job demands, decision authority, and social support. Heart rate was recorded during three tasks: copy-typing, typing with superimposed stress and a colour word task. Measures included electromyography signals from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), anterior scalene (AS), cervical extensor (CE) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles bilaterally. Results showed no difference between groups in work stressors or employee strain measures. Workers with and without pain had higher measured levels of EMG amplitude in SCM, AS and CE muscles during the tasks than controls (all P < 0.02). In workers with neck pain, the UT had difficulty in switching off on completion of tasks compared with controls and workers without pain. There was an increase in heart rate, perceived tension and pain and decrease in accuracy for all groups during the stressful tasks with symptomatic workers producing more typing errors than controls and workers without pain. These findings suggest an altered muscle recruitment pattern in the neck flexor and extensor muscles. Whether this is a consequence or source of the musculoskeletal disorder cannot be determined from this study. It is possible that workers currently without symptoms may be at risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aptel M Cnockaert JC (2002) Stress and work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. In: TUTB Newsletter HESA The Health and Safety Department of the European Trade Union Institute - Research, Education, Health and Safety (ETUI-REHS): Brussels, p. 50-56 http://hesa.etuirehs.org/uk/newsletter/files/2002-19p50-56.pdf

  • Ariens G, van Mechelen W, Bongers PM, Bouter LM, van der Wal G (2001) Psychosocial risk factors for neck pain: a systematic review. Am J Ind Med 39:180–193

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banks MH, Clegg CW, Jackson PR, Kemp NJ, Stafford EM, Wall TD (1980) The use of the General Health Questionnaire as an indicator of mental health in occupational studies. J Occup Health Psychol 53:187–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Bansevicius D, Westgaard RH, Jensen C (1997) Mental stress of long duration: EMG activity, perceived tension, fatigue, and pain development in pain-free subjects. Headache 37:499–510

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Birch L, Arendt-Nielsen L, Graven-Nielsen T, Christensen H (2001) An investigation of how acute muscle pain modulates performance during computer work with digitizer and puck. Appl Ergon 32:281–286

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bongers PM, Kremer AM, ter Laak J (2002) Are psychosocial factors risk factors for symptoms and signs of the shoulder, elbow, or hand/wrist? a review of the epidemiological literature. Am J Ind Med 41:315–342

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brandt LP, Andersen JH, Lassen CF, Kryger A, Overgaard E, Vilstrup I, Mikkelsen S (2004) Neck and shoulder symptoms and disorders among Danish computer workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 30:399–409

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caplan RD, Cobb S, French JRP, Harrison RV, Pinneau SR (1980) Job demands and worker health. Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  • Diederichsen LP, Norregaard J, Dyhre-Poulsen P, Winther A, Tufekovic G, Bandholm T, Rasmussen LR, Drogsgaard M (2007) The effect of handedness on electromyographic activity of human shoulder muscles during movement. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 17:410–419

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donath S (2001) The validity of the 12-item general health questionnaire in Australia: a comparison between three scoring methods. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 35:231–235

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ekberg K, Eklund J, Tuvesson MA, Ortengren R, Odenrick P, Ericson M (1995) Psychological stress and muscle activity during data entry at visual display units. Work Stress 9:475–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman A, Andersson A, Hagberg M, EW H (2000) Gender differences in musculoskeletal health of computer and mouse users in the Swedish workforce. Occup Med 50:608–613

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falla D, Bilenkij G, Jull G (2004a) Patients with chronic neck pain demonstrate altered patterns of muscle activation during performance of a functional upper limb task. Spine 29:1436–1440

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falla D, Campbell D, Fagan AE, Thompson DC, Jull G (2003) Relationship between cranio-cervical flexion range of motion and pressure change during the cranio-cervical flexion test. Manual Therapy 8:92–96

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falla D, Dall’Alba P, Rainoldi A, Merletti R, Jull G (2002) Location of innervation zones of sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles—a basis for clinical and research electromyography applications. Clin Neurophysiol 113:57–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falla D, Farina D (2006) Neuromuscular adaptation in experimental and clinical neck pain. J Electromyogr Kinesiol (in press)

  • Falla D, Farina D, Graven-Nielsen T (2007) Experimental muscle pain results in reorganization of coordination among trapezius muscle subdivisions during repetitive shoulder flexion. Exp Brain Res 178:385–393

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falla D, Jull G, Hodges P (2004b) Patients with neck pain demonstrate reduced electromyographic activity of the deep cervical flexor muscles during performance of the craniocervical flexion test. Spine 29:2108–2114

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerr F, Marcus M, Ensor C, Kleinbaum D, Cohen S, Edwards A, Gentry E, Ortiz DJ, Monteilh C (2002) A prospective study of computer users: I. Study design and incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders. Am J Ind Med 41:221–235

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg JM (1972) The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire. Oxford University Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagberg M, Tornqvist EW, Toomingas A (2002) Self-reported reduced productivity due to musculoskeletal symptoms: associations with workplace and individual factors among white-collar computer users. J Occup Rehab 12:151–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagg GM (1991) Static work loads and occupational myalgia—a new explanation model. In: PA Anserson DJH, Danhoff JV (ed) Electromyographical Kinesiology. Elsevier Science Publishers BV, North-Holland, pp 141–144

  • Hagg GM, Astrom A (1997) Load pattern and pressure pain threshold in the upper trapezius muscle and psychosocial factors in medical secretaries with and without shoulder/neck disorders. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 69:423–432

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hansson G-A, Nordander C, Asterland P, Ohlsson K, Stromberg T, Skerfving S, Rempel D (2000) Sensitivity of trapezius electromyography to differences between work tasks - influence of gap definition and normalization methods. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 10:103–115

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harman K, Ruyak P (2005) Working through the pain: a controlled study of the impact of persistent pan on performing a computer task. Clin J Pain 21:216–222

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston V, Jimmieson NL, Souvlis T, Jull G (2007) Interaction of psychosocial risk factors explain increased neck problems among female office workers. Pain 129:311–320

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston V, Souvlis T, Jimmieson N, Jull G (2007) Quantitative sensory measures distinguish office workers with varying levels of neck pain and disability. Pain doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.08.037

  • Johnston V, Jull G, Souvlis T, Jimmieson NL (2008) Neck movement and muscle activity characteristics in office workers with neck pain. Spine 33

  • Karasek RA, Berisson C, Kawakami N, Houtman I, Bongers PM (1998) The job content questionnaire (JCQ): an instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychosocial job characteristics. J Occup Health Psychol 3:322–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Korhonen T, Ketola R, Toivonen R, Luukkonen R, Hakkanen M, Viinkari-Juntara AJ (2003) Work related and individual predictors for incident neck pain among office employees working with video display units. Occup Environ Med 60:475–482

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laursen B, Jensen BR, Garde AH, Jorgensen AH (2002) Effect of mental and physical demands on muscular activity during the use of a computer mouse and a keyboard. Scand J Work Environ Health 28:215–221

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leclerc A, Niedhammer I, Landre M-F, Ozguler A, Etore P, Pietre-Taleb F (1999) One-year predictive factors for various aspects of neck disorders. Spine 24:1455–1462

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg U, Forsman M, Zachau G, Eklo M, Palmer G, Melin B, Kadefors R (2002) Effects of experimentally induced mental and physical stress on motor unit recruitment in the trapezius muscle. Work Stress 16:166–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madeleine P, Lundager B, Voigt M, Arendt-Nielsen L (2003) The effects of neck-shoulder pain development on sensory-motor interactions among female workers in the poultry and fish industries. A prospective study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 76:39–49

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mathiassen S, Winkel J, Hagg G (1995) Normalization of surface EMG amplitude from the upper trapezius muscle in ergonomic studies—a review. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 5:197–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLean L, Urquhart N (2002) The influence of psychological stressors on myoelectrical signal activity in the shoulder region during a data entry task. Work Stress 16:138–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milerad E, Ekenvall L (1990) Symptoms of the neck and upper extremities in dentists. Scand J Work Environ Health 16:129–134

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mork PJ, Westgaard RH (2006) Low-amplitude trapezius activity in work and leisure and the relation to shoulder and neck pain. J Appl Physiol 100:1142–1149

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council, the Institute of Medicine (2001) Musculoskeletal disorders and the workplace: low back and upper extremities. National Academy Press, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Nederhand MJ, Hermens HJ, IJzerman MJ, Turk DC, Zilvold G (2002) Cervical muscle dysfunction in chronic whiplash-associated disorder grade 2: the relevance of trauma. Spine 27:1056–1061

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nederhand MJ, IJzerman MJ, Hermens HJ, Baten CTM, Zilvold G (2000) Cervical muscle dysfunction in the chronic whiplash disorder grade II (WAD-II). Spine 25:1938–1943

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pietrobon R, Coeytaux RR, Carey TS, Richardson WJ, DeVillis RF (2002) Standard scales for measurement of functional outcome for cervical pain or dysfunction: a systematic review. Spine 27:515–522

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Punnett L, Bergqvist U (1997) Visual display unit work and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, pp 1–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Sillanpaa J, Huikko S, Nyberg M, Kivi P, Laippala P, Uitti JQ (2003) Effect of work with visual display units on musculo-skeletal disorders in the office environment. Occup Med 53:443–451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sjogaard G, Jensen BR (2000) Low-level static exertions. In: Karwowski WM, Marras WS (ed) The occupational ergonomics handbook. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 247–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjogaard G, Lundberg U, Kadefors R (2000) The role of muscle activity and mental load in the development of pain and degenerative processes on the muscle cellular level during computer work. Eur J Appl Physiol 83:99–105

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sjogaard G, Sogaard K, Hermens HJ, Sandsjo L, Laubli T, Thorn S, Vollenbroek-Hutten MMR, Sell L, Christensen H, Klipstein A, Kadefors R, Merlitti R (2006) Neuromuscular assessment in elderly workers with and without work related shoulder/neck trouble: the NEW-study design and physiological findings. Eur J Appl Physiol 96:110–121

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sterling M, Jull G, Vicenzino B, Kenardy J (2004) Characterization of acute whiplash-associated disorders. Spine 29:182–188

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sterling M, Jull G, Vicenzino B, Kenardy J, Darnell R (2003) Development of motor system dysfunction following whiplash. Pain 103:65–73

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Straker LM, Mekhora K (2000) An evaluation of visual display unit placement by electromyography, posture, discomfort and preference. Int J Ind Ergon 26:389–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szeto G, Straker L, O’Sullivan P (2005a) A comparison of symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers performing monotonous keyboard work—2: neck and shoulder kinematics. Manual Therapy 10:281–291

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Szeto GP, Straker LM, O’Sullivan P (2005b) A comparison of symptomatic and asymptomatic office workers performing monotonous keyboard work—1: neck and shoulder muscle recruitment patterns. Manual Therapy 10:270–280

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick BG, Fidell LS (2001) Using multivariate statistics. Allyn and Bacon, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorn S, Sogaard K, Kallenberg LAC, Sandsjo L, Sjogaard G, Hermens HJ, Kadefors R, Forsman M (2007) Trapezius muscle rest time during standardised computer work—a comparison of female computer users with and without self-reported neck/shoulder complaints. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 17:420–427

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tittiranonda PSB, Rempel D (1999) Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among computer users. Occup Med 14:17–38

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van den Heuvel SG, van der Beek A, Blatter BM, Bongers PM (2006) Do work-related physical risk factors predict neck and upper limb symptoms in office workers? Int Arch Occup Environ Health 79:585–592

    Google Scholar 

  • Veiersted KB, Westgaard RH, Andersen P (1993) Electromyographic evaluation of muscular work pattern as a predictor of trapezius myalgia. Scand J Work Environ Health 19:284–290

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vernon H, Mior S (1991) The neck disability index: a study of reliability and validity. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 14:409–415

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Visser B, De Looze MP, De Graafs MP, van Dieen JH (2004) Effects of precision demands and mental pressure on muscle activation and hand forces in computer mouse tasks. Ergonomics 47:202–217

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Visser B, van Dieen JH (2006) Pathophysiology of upper extremity muscle disorders. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 16:1–16

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waersted M (2000) Human muscle activity related to non-biomechanical factors in the workplace. Eur J Appl Physiol 83:151–158

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waersted M, Westgaard RH (1996) Attention-related muscle activity in different body regions during VDU work with minimal physical activity. Ergonomics 39:661–676

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wahlstrom J, Hagberg M, Johnson PW, Svensson J, Rempel D (2002) Influence of time pressure and verbal provocation on physiological and psychological reactions during work with a computer mouse. Eur J Appl Physiol 87:257–263

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westgaard RH (1999) Muscle activity as a releasing factor for pain in the shoulder and neck. Cephalalgia 19:1–8

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Winkelstein BA (2004) Mechanisms of central sensitization, neuroimmunology & injury biomechanics in persistent pain: implications for musculoskeletal disorders. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 14:87–93

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ylinen J, Takala E-P, Kautiainen H, Nyk€anen M, H€akkinen A, Pohjolainen T, Karppi S-L, Airaksinen O (2004) Association of neck pain, disability and neck pain during maximal effort with neck muscle strength and range of movement in women with chronic non-specific neck pain. Eur J Pain 8:473–478

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Johnston.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Johnston, V., Jull, G., Darnell, R. et al. Alterations in cervical muscle activity in functional and stressful tasks in female office workers with neck pain. Eur J Appl Physiol 103, 253–264 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0696-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0696-8

Keywords

Navigation