Effects of Workstation Ergonomics and Physiotherapy in Cervicogenic Headache.

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Cervicogenic Headache

Treatments: Biological: Ergonomic modifications; Biological: Ergonomic modifications and Physiotherapy; Biological: Patient education; Biological: Physiotherapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05827185

RHPT/019/082

Details and patient eligibility

About

Cervicogenic headache (CgH) is a distinct form of headache and accounts for 17.8% of all headaches and the prevalence rate is between 0.4% and 20%. A guide to health and safety in the office handbook by common wealth of Australia (2008) suggested the ergonomic guidance and interventions for preventing and treating musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries in the office workers. Also, It has been estimated that 34% of US citizens receive some sort of physiotherapy for CgH each year. However, no studies have compared and investigated the combined and individual effects of workstation ergonomics, physiotherapy and patient education for improving cervicogenic headache and work ability in office workers.

Full description

Cervicogenic headache (CgH) is a distinct form of headache and accounts for 17.8% of all headaches and the prevalence rate is between 0.4% and 20%. A guide to health and safety in the office handbook by common wealth of Australia (2008) suggested the ergonomic guidance and interventions for preventing and treating musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries in the office workers. Also, It has been estimated that 34% of US citizens receive some sort of physiotherapy for CgH each year. However, no studies have compared and investigated the combined and individual effects of workstation ergonomics, physiotherapy and patient education for improving cervicogenic headache and work ability in office workers.

Therefore, our study objective was intended to compare and investigate the combined and individual effects of workstation ergonomics, physiotherapy and patient education in improving cervicogenic headache and work ability in office workers. This randomized clinical trial hypothesized that there is a difference in primary and secondary outcome measures between workstation ergonomics, physiotherapy and patient education for improving cervicogenic headache and work ability in office workers.

Enrollment: 96 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients aged between 18-60 years Working in the computer ≥ 32 hrs/week Suffering from Cervicogenic Headache (>3 months) Pain intensity ≥3 on a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), Cervicogenic Headache resulting from pain in the neck followed by headache, Limited neck movements, Neck muscle spasm, Consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Other primary headaches such as migraine and tension-type headaches (TTH), Whiplash injuries, Participants who show signs of the five 'D's' (dizziness, drop attacks, dysarthria, dysphagia, diplopia) Who have signs of the three 'N's (nystagmus, nausea, other neurological symptoms (cord compression or nerve root involvement), Contraindications to physio therapy (Congenital anomalies, tumor, degenerative and inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis, dislocation, fractures, and steroid intake), Underwent previous head and neck surgeries, Had physiotherapy or other complementary therapies in the last three months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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96 participants in 4 patient groups

Ergonomic modifications group (EMG)

Experimental group

Description:

A blinded therapist used an observation-based ergonomics assessment check list for office workers to check the status of office environment, which usually took 40 - 45 minutes to complete. It consists of 5 domains. After assessment required modifications were done in the chair, desk, keyboard, mouse, computer screen, telephone and the office environment. Ergonomic education and instructions were also given on an individual basis as per the report of the assessment.

Treatment:

Biological: Ergonomic modifications

Physiotherapy group (PTG)

Experimental group

Description:

First of all, hydro collator pack was applied over the neck region for 10 minutes to relax the muscles of the neck region. Then the therapist located the sites of abnormal changes in each vertebra and then cervical manipulation was given. If any participant reported any new red flag signs or showed no signs for manipulation, such as no pain or musculoskeletal dysfunction, then the procedure was not performed.

Treatment:

Biological: Physiotherapy

Ergonomic modifications combined with physiotherapy group (EPG)

Experimental group

Description:

A blinded therapist used an observation-based ergonomics assessment check list for office workers to check the status of office environment, which usually took 40 - 45 minutes to complete. It consists of 5 domains. After assessment required modifications were done in the chair, desk, keyboard, mouse, computer screen, telephone and the office environment. Ergonomic education and instructions were also given on an individual basis as per the report of the assessment. First of all, hydro collator pack was applied over the neck region for 10 minutes to relax the muscles of the neck region. Then the therapist located the sites of abnormal changes in each vertebra and then cervical manipulation was given. If any participant reported any new red flag signs or showed no signs for manipulation, such as no pain or musculoskeletal dysfunction, then the procedure was not performed.

Treatment:

Biological: Ergonomic modifications and Physiotherapy

Control group (CNG)

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants in the CNG group received the patient education through an experienced physiotherapist and each session lasting for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. According to each individual patients' abilities the therapist educated them to improve the health literacy regarding the condition. The therapist educated them about the benefits of self-care activities, maintaining good posture, stay active and doing active movements and stretching muscles for preventing the health related musculoskeletal injuries at the workstation. Also, life style modifications were taught to the patients to prevent further deterioration of the condition.

Treatment:

Biological: Patient education