Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School,
Inje University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea | Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical
Science and Engineering, Inje University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
Note: [] Corresponding author: Won-Gyu Yoo, Department of Physical
Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, 607
Obang-dong, Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, 621-749, Korea. Tel.: +82 55 320 3994;
Fax: +82 55 329 1678; E-mail: won7y@inje.ac.kr
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The static posture in visual display terminal (VDT)
workers results in increased forward neck flexion and increased static muscle
tension in the neck and shoulder regions. However, few studies have objectively
quantified the change in head posture induced shoulder pain during VDT work. OBJECTIVE: This study elucidated changes in pressure pain in the upper
trapezius muscles, cervical ROM, and the cervical flexion--relaxation ratio
after continuous long-term VDT work. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve young VDT workers were recruited. METHODS: The pressure pain of the upper trapezius
muscles, active CROM, and cervical flexion--relaxation ratio were measured in
all subjects once before and once after VDT work. RESULTS: The pressure pain threshold of the right upper trapezius muscle was 6.9 ± 1.6 lb before
VDT work and 6.1 ± 1.0 lb after VDT work, revealing a significant increase
with VDT work. The cervical extension, left and right lateral flexion, and left
rotation measurers decreased significantly with VDT work. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that even short-term VDT work has the potential to cause problems. It
is necessary to develop a CROM self-measuring device and to monitor patients'
musculoskeletal changes frequently.
