Digital technology has affected practically every aspect of modern life. Sitting is something that humans do for a number of purposes, including work (particularly for those who work in the computer industry), and for enjoyment. Daily computer use causes frequent neck and back pain. Flexed head and neck postures might cause neck pain during work. Pauses and postural modifications help avoid pain and sickness. Recent wearables can sense spinal alignment and provide immediate feedback on improper posture. Posture monitoring can help treat or change a user’s posture. In this narrative review, Google Scholar, PubMed, Cross-Ref, Cochrane, and ResearchGate were searched for English-only papers using review-specific keywords and fifty-one items were found. The search was narrowed by using more particular terms, such as “wearable postural correction sensors,” “forward head posture,” “neck discomfort in smartphone or computer users,” and “neck workouts.” Only current papers from 2015 onwards were considered. After filtering for relevancy, twenty-five articles were included. Researcher should identify intervention functions, policy categories, and tactics for behaviour change. Researchers have also examined neck discomfort, forward head posture in young individuals while using smartphones and computers, and posture correction using a wearable postural correction sensor. And also appropriate arrangement and support to administering a home and workplace fitness programme that eliminates pain and impairment while enhancing Forward Head Posture (FHP) and endurance. This review aimed to thoroughly examine existing literature for evidence concerning prevalent problems among smartphone and computer users such as neck discomfort and forward head position, postural correction sensor, and impact of exercises on neck discomfort.

Background/Aims Cervical disorders are major health problems in our society and an important source of disability. Assessing range of motion is a significant part of the physical therapist’s role when evaluating a patient presenting with cervical disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intrarater relibility as well as the criterion validity of two phone applications (clinometer and compass) when assessing the cervical range of motion among individuals with and without neck pain. Methods In total, 80 participants were included in this study and split into two groups. Group A comprised 40 participants (18 women and 22 men) without neck pain. Group B included 40 participants (26 women and 14 men) with neck pain (mean pain rating on visual analogue scale 3.76 ± 0.93). Cervical range of motion was measured with the clinometer application (flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion) and compass application (right and left rotation). The readings were compared with a universal goniometer. Estimates of reliability and validity were then established using the intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement and minimum detectable change. Results The smartphone applications had good intrarater reliability when compared to a universal goniometer, showing good to excellent validity (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.65) for all six cervical ranges of motion in participants with and without neck pain. Conclusions The smartphone clinometer application was found to be valid and reliable in measuring frontal and sagittal cervical ranges of motion in participants with and without neck pain. The compass application was found to be valid and reliable when assessing the horizontal cervical range of motion in a seated position. The applications will benefit physiotherapists when assessing cervical range of motion.

Car and motorcycle drivers frequently experience neck pain, which may have an impact on their quality of life and productivity at work. Understanding the prevalence of neck pain in this population and identifying effective interventions was essential for developing targeted healthcare strategies. The purpose of this review was to determine the prevalence of neck pain among car and motorcycle drivers and assess the effectiveness of primary, secondary, and tertiary care interventions in managing and preventing this health issue. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather relevant studies on neck pain prevalence and interventions among drivers. The collected data was analysed and synthesised to provide an in-depth understanding of the issue. The result of this review reveals a significant prevalence of neck pain among car and motorcycle drivers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Primary, secondary, and tertiary care strategies are essential in addressing neck pain in this population. Primary care interventions focus on preventing the onset of neck pain, while secondary care aims to manage existing symptoms and prevent their worsening. Tertiary care interventions involve rehabilitation and long-term management of chronic neck pain. The present review concluded that a multi-faceted approach, encompassing primary, secondary, and tertiary care interventions, is necessary to prevent and manage neck pain in drivers. However, the current evidence base has limitations, and further research is required to enhance our understanding of effective interventions for this population.

Background and Objectives: To investigate the effect of whole-body stretching (WBS) exercise during lunch break for reducing musculoskeletal pain and physical exertion among healthcare professionals. Methods: Full-time healthcare professionals working in hospitals with more than one year of experience were invited to participate. Sixty healthcare professionals (age 37.15  ±  3.9 Years, height 1.61  ±  0.04 m, body mass 67.8  ±  6.3 kg, and BMI 26.5 ± 2.1 kg/m2) participated in this single-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants were divided into WBS (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The WBS group performed a range of stretching exercises targeting the entire body during a lunch break period for 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The control group received an education program. Musculoskeletal pain and physical exertion were assessed using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and Borg rating of perceived exertion scale, respectively. Results: The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort among all healthcare professionals was highest in the low back region (46.7%), followed by the neck (43.3%), and then the knee (28.3%). About 22% of participants said that their neck discomfort impacted their job, while about 18% reported that their low back pain impacted their job. Results indicate that the WBS and education program had a beneficial impact on pain and physical exertion (p < 0.001). When comparing the two groups, the WBS group experienced a significantly greater decrease in pain intensity (mean difference 3.6 vs. 2.5) and physical exertion (mean difference 5.6 vs. 4.0) compared to an education program only. Conclusions: This study suggests that doing WBS exercises during lunchtime can help lessen musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, making it easier to get through the workday.

Background The role of pain sensitivity in the development and maintenance of chronic pain states, impaired executive functioning, and patient recovery is being investigated. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is widely used to measure musculoskeletal pain associated with central sensitization (CS). Despite the recommendations of many reviews and clinical practice guidelines that exercise programs reduce pain and disability, the overall confidence in these results is considered “critically low.” The “active ingredient” of exercise programs and the dominant factor influencing CPM remain largely unknown. The objectives of this trial are to determine: • If different exercises cause different results on the CPM in a subgroup of people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) who are labeled as having CS pain, • If a program of exercise interventions for 12 weeks would alter executive functioning, quality of life (QoL), disability, and pain in persons with CLBP. • The relationship between patient characteristics, executive functions, CPM, and QoL Methods The trial is a randomized, controlled, multi-center study with four experimental groups and one healthy control group. Both the researchers and the people in the study will be blinded to the results. This paper describes the protocol for a trial examining the effects of 12-week individualized, twice-weekly exercise sessions lasting 30 to 60 min in persons with CLBP, who are positive for CS. Participants will be randomized to receive either patient education with motor control exercises (MCE), superficial strengthening (SS), aerobic exercises (AE), or patient education alone. Another group comprised of healthy volunteers will serve as controls. The primary outcomes are changes in CPM outcomes as measured by the cold pressor test (CPT). The secondary objectives are to evaluate executive functioning, pain, disability, quality of life, and spine muscle strength. The outcomes will be measured at 3 months and at a 6-month follow-up. Discussion The outcomes of the study will help in gaining more information and evidence about exercise-induced analgesia from the perspective of CPM. Measuring exercise outcomes will aid in scientifically prescribing exercise prescriptions in people with CLBP. The study outcomes will also assist in identifying the characteristics of individuals who will respond or respond indifferently to exercises. Investigating the relationship between the study’s various outcomes could provide information for future trials. Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI) identifier: CTRI/2022/03/041143. Registered on 16 March 2022.