Association between numbers of long periods with sustained low-level trapezius muscle activity and neck pain
Abstract
The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate relationships between sustained low-level muscle activity (SULMA) in the neck and pain after 1 year among machine operators of forest harvesters (n = 19), forwarders (n = 20) and forest researchers (n = 20). Surface electromyography of the right upper trapezius muscle was measured during one working day. Continuous muscle activity (SULMA periods) were analysed in predetermined time intervals. Neck pain was assessed by the Borg's category-ratio scale and the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (dichotomised into pain duration 30 d). Harvesters reported significantly more pain than researchers. A higher number of long SULMA periods >8 min duration increased the risk of neck pain >30 d during the successive year (odds ratio 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-7.8). Perceived personal economy above average was associated with less pain, while other potential confounders or intermediate variables were not significant. Low-level trapezius muscle activity in periods longer than 8 min may constitute a risk for neck pain.
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Reports have shown a direct relationship between the level of perceived pain and muscle electrical activity.
“In the reports that have shown a direct relationship between the level of perceived pain and muscle electrical activity [56,57], all of the aforementioned findings are consistent with the results of the present study.”
From The Application of Manual Techniques in Masticatory Muscles Relaxation as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (2021) · cites this paper as [56]
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Urbański, P., Trybulec, B., & Pihut, M. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182412970 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
“In the reports that have shown a direct relationship between the level of perceived pain and muscle electrical activity [56,57], all of the aforementioned findings are consistent with the results of the present study.”
Result
- Authors
- Østensvik, T., Veiersted, K. B., & Nilsen, P.
- Affiliations
- a Department of Production , Technology and Processing, Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute , Ås, Norway
- National Institute of Occupational Health (NO)
- Corresponding author
- Østensvik, Tove
- ORCID
- Veiersted, Kaj Bo
- Venue
- Ergonomics
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-11-24
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1556-1567
- ISSN
- 0014-0139 (ISSN-L)
- 1366-5847
- OpenAlex
- W2033560429
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Ergonomics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Norges Forskningsråd
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Keywords
- trapezius, neck pain, surface electromyography, forest machine operators, forest harvester, forwarders, personal economy, pain duration
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Electromyography, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Ergonomics, Male, Man-Machine Systems, Middle Aged, Neck Muscles, Norway, Occupational Diseases, Pain Measurement, Prospective Studies, Time Factors, Work Schedule Tolerance, Cohort Studies, Forestry, Workload, Neck Pain
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