Neck Pain in Office Workers

Effect Of Short Neck-Stretching Exercise Breaks On Neck Pain And Related Factors In Office Workers

The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of short exercise breaks (2, 5, and 7 minutes) on chronic non-specific neck pain in office workers. It is a 12-week randomized controlled trial assessing pain, disability, and multiple functional and occupational outcomes. We aim to determine the most effective exercise duration for reducing neck pain and improving quality of life, productivity, and job satisfaction.

This study investigates the effectiveness of brief exercise breaks of different durations (2, 5, and 7 minutes) in managing chronic non-specific neck pain among office workers. Neck pain is highly prevalent in individuals exposed to prolonged computer use and static postures, and it is associated with reduced quality of life, decreased work productivity, and increased occupational strain. Although exercise-based interventions are recommended, adherence to traditional home programs remains low, highlighting the need for simple and time-efficient strategies.

The study was designed as a 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Participants with chronic non-specific neck pain and are randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups (2-, 5-, or 7-minute exercise programs) or a control group. We plan to enroll at least 120 participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Office workers engaged in sedentary work for at least 6 hours per day.

Exclusion Criteria:

• individuals with a specific neck diagnosis or acute neck pain.