These research results were published in the
international scientific journal Arthritis Care & Research on December
28, 2007.
The research was carried out by Professor Gisela Sjøgaard and Ph.D.-student
Lars L. Andersen at the Danish National Research Centre for the Working
Environment between September 2005 and March 2006. A total of 48 women from
7 different workplaces in Copenhagen primarily characterized by monotonous
jobs participated in the 10-week long study. The women were divided into
three groups, either performing targeted strength training, fitness
training on an exercise bike, or they received general health guidance. The
participants exercised for 20 minutes for a total of 25-27 training
sessions.
Results showed that targeted strength training was the most effective means
to reduce chronic pain of the neck muscles. On average, pain was reduced by
79% after 10 weeks training, using a subjective pain barometer to score the
pains experienced by the participants. Overall, the reduction in pain could
still be found 10 weeks after the completion of the training period.
Fitness training on an exercise bike also reduced pain of the neck muscles,
although only briefly immediately after the training session and not to the
same degree as the targeted strength training.
The authors of the article find the results to be of great importance for
future treatment of chronic pain of the neck muscles. Furthermore, for the
last two decades, the number of people with pain in their neck muscles has
been steadily increasing and this condition is now one of the most common
in the USA and in Europe. Also, as over half of all adults have experienced
pain in their neck within the past 6 months, the authors believe the
research results will have a great impact on a large number of people.
The article is written by researchers from The Danish National Research
Centre for the Working Environment and Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen.
For more information, please contact Ph.D.-student
Lars L. Andersen, Tel (+45) 3916 5319 or E-mail: lla@arbejdsmiljoforskning.dk
An
instruction on how to carry out the exercises performed by the
participants can be found here (text in Danish, but se the video
sequenses on the page).
Andersen LL, Kjær M, Søgaard K, Hansen L, Kryger AI & Sjøgaard G. Effect of Two Contrasting Types of Physical Exercise on
Chronic Neck Muscle Pain. Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care
& Research), 2008; 59(1): pp. 84-91.
