Comparing the Effect of Home Stretching Exercise and Hot Pack plus Massage for College Computer Users with Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background and Purpose: Maintaining the same posture for a long period of time is the leading risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders. However, few studies examined the intervention effect of self-conducting stretching exercise on musculoskeletal pain and postural changes. The purpose of this study was to compare the treatment effects of a stretching exercise and a hot pack plus massage program for college computer users with musculoskeletal symptoms. Methods: Forty subjects volunteered to participate in this study. They were assigned to three groups 20 in the stretching exercise group. 10 in the hot pack group and another 10 in the instruction class group (control group). The evaluation procedures included electromyography (EMG), and examination of muscle strength, head and neck posture, and pain pressure threshold (PPT), as well as a musculoskeletal questionnaire. AII of the tests were performed before and after the six week intervention. A Chi-Square analysis was used for categorical data, such as the results from the questionnaire. ANOYA with repeated measures was used to analyze kinematic and EMG data. Results: The home exercise approach demonstrated significant improvements in the PPT and posture, while the hot pack group only showed an improvement in the PPT of the right trapezius. Conclusions: Both intensive home exercise and hot-pack approaches were effective in decreasing musculoskeletal discomfort for computer users. However, the treatment effect was more significant in the intensive home exercise group, especially for postural change.