Differences in upper body posture between individuals with and without chronic idiopathic neck pain during computerised device use: A 3D motion analysis study

Background: Computer use is associated with poor postures and increased risk of developing neck pain. Evaluating differences in working posture of individuals with and without chronic neck pain may assist the development of strategies to lessen or prevent pain. Objective: To identify if upper body kinematics differs between individuals with and without chronic idiopathic neck pain during four conditions (tablet, laptop, and desktop computer sitting and standing). Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) motion capture measured upper body kinematics in 44 individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain > 90 days (Cases n = 22) and without pain (Control n = 22), during a typing task under four conditions: tablet, laptop, desktop computer (sitting and standing). Differences between groups were evaluated using generalised linear mixed models. Results: Across all conditions and compared to controls, cases had significantly less flexion between their head-neck and upper trunk segments (between group mean difference 7.15 degrees, 2.1, 12.2, p = .006), greater upper trunk flexion relative to the laboratory (-6.15 degrees, -10.9, -1.3, p = .012), greater shoulder flexion bilaterally (left 12.35 degrees, 6.7, 17.9, p <.001; right 13.49 degrees, 7.9, 19.1, p <.001) and less right elbow flexion (-6.87 degrees, -12.1, -1.7, p = .010). Approaching significance, the case group had less left elbow flexion (between group mean difference 5.36 degrees, -10.9, 0.1, p = .056) and a smaller mean craniocervical angle for the seated desktop condition (group x condition interaction -6.37 degrees; 95% CI-12.7,-0.1, p = .052). Significance: Individuals with neck pain consistently used different upper body postures compared to individuals without pain when working on computerised devices under varying workstation conditions. This finding suggests that people with neck pain work in potentially aggravating postures that may be associated with their pain.