Risk Stratification and Neck Pain Management in Office Workers Using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment.

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to identify the role Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) for the assessment of office worker's ergonomics in the workplace and its efficacy in designing targeted interventions with a specific focus on neck pain.

Methods: Sixty six office workers (Mean Age = 33.04 ± 9.98 years; Mean BMI = 21.45 ± 2.1 kg/m²; Females-25; Males-41) with mild to moderate neck disability were after giving their informed consent. Based on RULA scores and ergonomic risk levels, participants were divided into three groups - low risk (Group A; n = 22), moderate risk (Group B; n = 22) and high risk (Group C; n = 22). Targeted interventions including ergonomic counselling, brochures, practical workplace modification sessions, and postural correction exercises were administered. Pre- and post-intervention assessments (at 0, 2 & 4 weeks) for improvements in neck pain, discomfort and ergonomic risk were compared using mixed model ANOVA (p < 0.05).

Results: Findings revealed widespread poor posture among office workers, with tasks involving prolonged computer work, phone usage, and extended sitting periods posing elevated risks of WMSDs. Significant improvements were seen from baseline to weeks 2 & 4 for pain (F = 182.26; p < 0.05), neck disability (F = 667.47, p < 0.05) and postural risk (F = 393.69, p < 0.05). Significant improvements in pain (F = 38.35, p < 0.05) and postural risk (F = 159.27, p < 0.05) were observed between group comparisons. Significant group × time interactions were seen for Neck Disability (F = 8.71, p < 0.05) and postural risk (F = 12.95, p < 0.05) indicating differential gains by risk category. Tukey's post hoc comparison confirmed Group C showed maximum changes (p < 0.05) in pain & postural risk followed by Groups B & A, whereas neck disability did not differ between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that RULA helped in facilitating postural risk stratification, guiding targeted ergonomic interventions to alleviate neck pain and disability among office workers. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term benefits of follow-up-based on continuous ergonomic interventions using artificial intelligence.