Effects of short-term upper extremity exercise training in office workers during COVID-19 restrictions: A randomized controlled trial

Issue title: Special Section: Complimentary Medicine for Work, Function and Health

Guest editors: Valerie J. Berg Rice

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Barğı, Gülşah^{a; *} | Suner-Keklik, Sinem^{b; 1}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Democracy University, Izmir, Turkey | [b] Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Health Science Faculty, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Gülşah Barğı, Mehmet Ali Akman Quarter, 13th street, No. 2, 35140 Güzelyalı, Konak, İzmir, Turkey. Tel.: +90 232 260 1001 (pbx); Fax: +90 232 260 1004. E-mail: gulsah.bargi@idu.edu.tr; ORCID: 0000-0002-5243-3997.

Note: [1] ORCID: 0000-0002-9506-3172.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical inactivity and inactivity-related health problems have deepened in many individuals, including office workers. It is not yet known whether there are exercise programs through telerehabilitation that will provide rapid relief in a short time in office workers who apply part or full-time teleworking system. OBJECTIVE:To comparatively investigate influences of short-term upper extremity exercise trainings (UEET) on pain, musculoskeletal discomforts (MSD), physical activity (PA), mood, and quality of life (QOL) in office workers during COVID-19 restrictions. METHODS:Thirty office workers were divided into exercise (EG) (UEET and walking advice) and control (CG) (walking advice) groups. The UEET was applied for at least 20–40 minutes/day, 5–7 days/week for a one week between February 2022 and June 2022. Office workers’ pain, MSD, PA level, mood and QOL were measured. RESULTS:Baseline characteristics of groups (EG: 37.8±7.04 years, CG: 41.6±7.97 years) were similar (p > 0.05). Following UEET, scores of office workers in EG on total step count, vigorous PA, moderate-intensity PA, walking, total PA, physical functioning, and body pain subscales of QOL significantly increased compared to scores of office workers in CG, while scores on neck, back and hip discomforts and anxiety and depression significantly decreased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:One-week UEET and walking advice can improve office workers’ daily step counts, MSD, PA levels, mood, and QOL. Office workers who have a busy work schedule may do these UEET and walking exercises in break times to relieve perception of discomfort.

Keywords: Exercise, occupational groups, pain, quality of life, telerehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230190

Journal: Work, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1187-1199, 2024