IJTRR 2017; 6 (1): 24-31

Original Research Article doi: 10.5455/ijtrr.000000216

International Journal of Therapies & Rehabilitation

E-ISSN
Research
2278-0343
http://www.scopemed.org/?jid=12

The Effect of Postural Education on Decreasing the Severity of Neck Pain in Female
School Teachers: A Prospective Cohort Study

Radhika Verma & K.Madhavi

Department of Community Based Rehabilitation, The Oxford College Of Physiotherapy, Bengaluru, India.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal Disorders includes a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative

conditions affecting the muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, bones and joints and it can occur from a
single or cumulative trauma. Pain and physical disability brought about by MSD affects social functioning
and mental health, further diminishing the teacher’s quality of life . A systematic review published in biomed
central shows the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders to be 39 % - 95 % in school
teachers. Neck pain is reported to be 7 th most prevalent pain site which is 68.9 % prevalent in school
teacher. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to find out the effect of postural education on
decreasing the severity of neck pain in female school teachers. METHODS: 180 female primary and
secondary school teachers aged 25 – 35years were conveniently selected for the study. Baseline survey:
Teachers were asked to note down their neck pain using NPRS & NDI. Postural education programme :
teachers received a lecture based on ergonomic training and occupational health education. Follow up
survey : After 3months teachers were asked to note down their level of neck pain using NPRS & NDI after
following the protocol. There were 20 drop outs in the study. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction
in mean values of NPRS in baseline and follow up 25.44 – 17.6 respectively also NDI mean values 25.11 -
21.16 baseline and follow up respectively. After the intervention, teachers found the postural education
programme to be effective in reducing the neck pain. CONCLUSION: Interventions based on occupational
health education lectures, on-site ergonomics training, publicity brochures and posters showed a positive
effect on prevention and control of the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in teachers.

KEYWORDS: Neck pain, Work related musculoskeletal disorders, Postural education.

INTRODUCTION mental health, further diminishing the teacher’s quality

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent one of the
most common occupational health problems in both
developed and developing countries. Due to highly
mechanized production, work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (WMSDs) are becoming a major health
problem faced by the professionals1. MSD is
responsible for the substantial impact on quality of life
thus, resulting in a major economic burden2. In many
industrialized countries, WMSDs is the second highest
occupational disease after occupational mental
diseases1. MSD includes a wide range of inflammatory
and degenerative conditions affecting the muscles,
ligaments, tendons, nerves, bones and joints; and it can
occur from a single or cumulative trauma. This leads to
an increased loading on the non-contractile structures
of the cervical spine2. The pain and physical disability
brought about by MSD affects social functioning and
of life3, 17. Moreover, MSD represent a common health
related reason for discontinuing work and for seeking
health care3.
Studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of
self-reported MSD among school teachers2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.
The most prevalent body sites appear to be the back,
neck and upper limbs. Musculoskeletal pain ranks 6th
(shoulder pain), 7th (neck pain) and 10th (low back pain)
as the most frequently reported health complaints
among school teachers4. Neck pain occurs in 68.9% of
school teachers correlated with prolonged standing,
sitting and static posture5. Prevalence of neck pain is
more in females than males because pain threshold is
less in females so their severity of neck pain will be
more as compared to males. Studies have shown that
teachers with 1-5years of teaching experience have
more neck pain.