Abstract

The purpose was to examine the efficiency of two interventions for neck-shoulder complaints to computer workers: a short-term physical therapeutic program and a home exercises program.
Material and method. We performed a 6-month interventional therapeutic study on 164 computer workers with musculoskeletal neck-shoulder complaints who were divided in two groups.  In the first phase (2 weeks) group I (92 subjects) followed a physical therapy intervention (electrotherapy and massage) and group II (72 subjects) followed the same physical therapy intervention and an exercise program. In the second phase (6 month) group I was the control group without therapeutic intervention and group II continued the home exercises program aimed to increase force and endurance for neck muscles. We monitored the evolution of pain scores Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) measured by algometry.
Results. After 10 sessions of physicall therapy all parameters were significantly better for both groups. Group II had a better evolution on functional score NDI. After 6 month all parameters (VAS, NDI, PPT) were significantly better for group II who performed a home exercises program. For the control group, the evolution was also good for VAS and NDI, but non significant for PPT.
Conclusions.  Analgesic electrotherapy and massage improves the symptoms for short and medium term, but strength and endurance exercises for neck muscles improves also physical functions.