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Combined and isolated effects of workstation ergonomics and physiotherapy in improving cervicogenic headache and work ability in office workers: a single-blinded, randomized controlled study

Nambi G 1 , Alghadier M 1 , Pakkir Mohamed SH 2 , Vellaiyan A 3 , Ebrahim EE 3 , Sobeh DE 3 Show all authors , Kashoo FZ 4 , Albarakati AJA 5 , Alshahrani NA 6 , Eswaramoorthi V 7

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
  • 2 Department of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
  • 3 College of Nursing, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
  • 4 Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
  • 5 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Qunfudah Branch, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
  • 6 Orthopedic Surgery Department, King Fahad Medical City, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • 7 Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Malaysia
Front Public Health, 2024;12:1438591.
PMID: 39697289 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1438591

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to compare and investigate the combined and individual effects of workstation ergonomics, physiotherapy and patient education in improving CgH headaches and work ability in office workers.

METHODS: 96 eligible CgH participants were divided into the ergonomics modifications group (EMG; n = 24), physiotherapy group (PTG; n = 24), and ergonomics modifications combined with physiotherapy group (EPG; n = 24) and education control group (CNG; n = 24), the participants received the respective treatment for 4 weeks. Primary (CgH frequency) and secondary (CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, flexion rotation test (right and left), neck disability index and work ability) scores were measured. The effects of treatment at various intervals were analyzed with a 4 × 4 linear mixed model analysis (LMM) between treatment groups and time intervals.

RESULTS: Four weeks following training EPG group showed more significant changes in primary outcome CgH frequency; 4.6 CI 95% 3.63 to 5.56 when compare to control group. The same gradual improvement was noticed at 8 weeks 8.2 CI 95% 7.53 to 8.86 and at 6 months follow up 11.9 CI 95% 11.25 to 12.54 when compare to other groups (p = 0.001) which is statistically 52.97% improvement. Similar improvements can be seen in the secondary outcome measures such as CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, flexion rotation test (right and left), neck disability index and work ability in EPG group than the EMG, PTG, and CNG groups (p = 0.001) at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and at 6 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSION: This study observed that the workstation ergonomics and physiotherapy group experienced significantly more improvements in cervicogenic headache patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier NCT05827185.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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