Upper trapezius muscle activity pattern at work and associated neck pain - Study protocol for analyses of a pooled EMG data set

Abstract: Repetitive and monotonous work is often associated with neck pain, potentially resulting in sick leave and reduced productivity. Establishing appropriate muscle activity patterns, including duration and frequency of breaks that can prevent development of neck pain is important for providing workplace guidance. While several smaller studies of monotonous neck-loading work have indicated that such breaks can reduce the risk of neck pain, studies with a higher number of participants are necessary to confirm an association, and if so, to improve the precision of a possible association. The purpose of this protocol is to describe and discuss the background, methods and challenges of a study pooling several datasets with measurements of upper trapezius muscle activity during work and associated measurements of neck pain. Methods: Seven Scandinavian research institutes provided surface electromyographic (EMG) data of upper trapezius muscle activity recorded during working hours along with questionnaire data with information about neck pain and other health-related factors, from a total of 750 participants. The different data sets of the EMG data will be merged into a common format. Various questions on neck pain will be harmonized. Associations between EMG variables and neck pain will be examined with linear mixed model regressions controlled for various confounders. Discussion: Aiming to provide further insight into the possible association between trapezius muscle activity pattern and neck pain, this study protocol highlights the challenges that arise when creating a pooled data set. Solving these challenges may help to increase the knowledge about appropriate muscle activity patterns during work.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, work exposure, electromyography

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004360

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