Online supervised versus workplace corrective exercises for upper crossed syndrome: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

IoT-Based Solution for Detecting and Monitoring Upper Crossed Syndrome

A sedentary lifestyle has caused adults to spend more than 6 h seated, which has led to inactivity and spinal issues. This context underscores the growing sedentary behavior, exemplified by extended sitting hours among adults and university students. Such inactivity triggers various health problems and spinal disorders, notably Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) and its association with thoracic kyphosis, which can cause severe spinal curvature and related complications. Traditional detection involves clinical assessments and corrective exercises; however, this work proposes a multi-layered system for a back brace to detect, monitor, and potentially prevent the main signs of UCS. Building and using a framework that detects and monitors signs of UCS has facilitated patient-doctor interaction, automated the detection process for improved patient-physician coordination, and helped improve patients' spines over time. The smart wearable brace includes inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors targeting hunched-back postures. The IMU sensors capture postural readings, which are then used for classification. Multiple classifiers were used where the long short-term memory (LSTM) model had the highest accuracy of 99.3%. Using the classifier helped detect and monitor UCS over time. Integrating the wearable device with a mobile interface enables real-time data visualization and immediate feedback for users to correct and mitigate UCS-related issues.

High versus Low-Intensity Resistance Training on Bone Mineral Density and Content Acquisition by Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

The menopause stage in women reduces estrogen levels and bone indicators. This study compared the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) and low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), T-score, and Z-score in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 45 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 60, who were randomly assigned into 3 parallel groups (n = 15 in each). The exercise program was performed by the interventional groups-the HIRT and LIRT groups-at 4 different intensities, 3 times a week for 24 weeks: 8 repetitions at 80% of 1 repetition maximum and 16 repetitions at 40% of 1 repetition maximum. The evaluated areas (BMD, BMC, T-score, and Z-score) included the lumbar spine (LS) and the femur neck (FN) using a DEXA machine. One-way analysis of covariance and Bonferroni's post hoc tests were used for data analysis.

Results

The results indicated significant differences in BMD, BMC, T-scores, and Z-scores between the means of the LS and the FN in all groups. In addition, significant differences were revealed in the BMC of the LS, the BMD, T-scores (P < 0.001), Z-scores (P = 0.001), and in the BMC of the FN (P < 0.001), the BMD (P = 0.001), T-scores, and Z-scores (P < 0.001), respectively. In addition, the HIRT group's bone indices were considerably greater than those of the LIRT group (P < 0.00). Nonetheless, LIRT was significantly greater than that of the control group (P > 0.00).

Conclusion

According to the current findings, HIRT seems to be the most effective training program compared with LIRT for bone indicators improvement in the femur neck and the lumbar spine among postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

Maintenance effect of corrective exercises on neck-shoulder pain and workability among office workers: A 1-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

While positive short-term effects from corrective exercise on neck-shoulder pain (NSP) are evident, maintenance effects after cessation of the exercise remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to assess the lasting effects of corrective exercise in NSP and workability after a year of detraining.

METHODS

A cohort study with 1-year follow-up was carried out in two previous training groups (n = 24) using a self-reported paper-based questionnaire, which was completed three times (baseline, 8-week exercise, and 1-year detraining). The subjects (mean±SD age: 39.0±6.4, 38.1±8.0) responded to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for NSP as the primary outcome. A single validated item from the Workability Index determined workability as the secondary outcome. Between and within-group differences of the two groups were investigated using non-parametric tests, including 12 subjects in each group.

RESULTS

The results indicated that 8-week exercise improvements in NSP and mental and physical workability were largely maintained after one year of detraining. The lasting effects of NSP and physical and mental workability were statistically identified in 8-week and 1-year follow-ups. Nevertheless, it is noticeably warranted to adhere to the exercise program.

CONCLUSION

The current study indicates that a brief 8-week exercise period once per year is sufficient to reduce pain and improve workability among workers. This knowledge can make exercise interventions more feasible and cost-effective for companies aiming to improve employee health.

Corrective exercises administered online vs at the workplace for pain and function in the office workers with upper crossed syndrome: randomized controlled trial

Objective

To evaluate the effects of online-supervised versus workplace corrective exercises on neck–shoulder pain (NSP), sick leave, posture, workability, and muscular activity among office workers with the upper crossed syndrome (UCS).

Methods

We performed a parallel-group randomized control trial at Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran, assigning 36 office workers to online-supervised, workplace, and control groups (mean (SD) age 38.91 ± 3.87, 38.58 ± 7.34, 37.00 ± 8.12). Inclusion criteria were alignment alteration (forward head (≥ 45°), rounding shoulder (≥ 52°), rounding back (≥ 42°), and pain intensity ≥ 3 in neck and shoulder. The two intervention groups performed 8-week exercise program, while the control group continued usual activities. Primary (NSP and sick leave) and secondary outcomes [postural angles, workability, and muscular activity were measured by VAS, outcome evaluation questionnaire (OEQ), photogrammetry, workability index, and EMG, respectively, at the baseline and an 8-week follow-up].

Results

ANCOVA results revealed improvements for the online-supervised group versus control for NSP (P = 0.007), postural angles (P = 0.000, P = 0.001, P = 0.005), workability (P = 0.048, P = 0.042), and upper trapezius activation (P = 0.024, P = 0.016), respectively. Using paired t tests, both intervention groups improved from baseline to follow-up for NSP (P = 0.000, P = 0.002), forward head posture (P = 0.000, P = 0.000), round shoulders (P = 0.001, P = 0.031), and round back (P = 0.034, P = 0.008), respectively. Related parameters of workability (P = 0.041, P = 0.038), upper trapezius (P = 0.005, P = 0.005, P = 0.022), and serratus anterior (P = 0.020, P = 0.015) changed only in the online-supervised group.

Conclusion

Online-supervised corrective exercise seems to improve a range of parameters related to work performance. These findings are highly applicable in light of the ongoing COVID pandemic; many workers have to work from home.