METHODS: A total of 40 participants, both male and female office workers, with symptomatic neck pain (n = 20) and asymptomatic (n = 20), were recruited. Pain intensity, ulnar nerve conduction velocity, median nerve conduction velocity, and muscle activity were determined before and after 1 hour of computer use.
RESULTS: There was a significant increase in pain intensity in the neck area in both groups (P < .001). The symptomatic neck pain group revealed a significant decrease in the sensory nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve (P = .008), whereas there was no difference in the median nerve conduction velocity (P > .05). Comparing before and after computer use, the symptomatic neck pain group had less activity of the semispinalis muscles and higher activity of the anterior scalene muscle than the asymptomatic group (P < .05). The trapezius and wrist extensor muscles showed no significant differences in either group (P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: This study found signs of neuromuscular deficit of the ulnar nerve, semispinalis muscle, and anterior scalene muscle after 1 hour of computer use among office workers with symptomatic neck pain, which may indicate the risk of neuromuscular impairment of the upper extremities. The recommendation of resting, and encouraging function and flexibility of the neuromuscular system after 1 hour of computer use should be considered.
方法:共有40名参与者,男性和女性上班族,有症状的颈部疼痛(n=20)和无症状(n=20),被招募。疼痛强度,尺神经传导速度,正中神经传导速度,和肌肉活动在使用电脑一小时前后进行。
结果:两组颈部区域的疼痛强度均显着增加(p<0.001)。症状性颈部疼痛组显示尺神经的感觉神经传导速度显着降低(p=0.008),而正中神经传导速度无差异(p>0.05)。比较电脑使用前后,与无症状组相比,有症状颈痛组的半肌肌活动较少,前斜角肌活动较高(p<0.05)。两组斜方肌和腕部伸肌比较差异无统计学意义(p>0.05)。
结论:这项研究发现尺神经肌肉缺损的迹象,在有症状的颈部疼痛的办公室工作人员中,使用计算机一小时后,半肌肌和前斜角肌,这可能表明上肢神经肌肉受损的风险。休息的建议,应考虑使用计算机一小时后神经肌肉系统的鼓励功能和灵活性。