NCT04928989

Convergence Dialogue Meeting With or Without Neck-specific Exercise Promoting Work Ability

What Does Web-based Neck-specific Exercise Add to a Digital Convergence Dialogue Meeting Promoting the Work Situation for Employees With Neck Pain?

• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 0 (actual)
• Sponsor: Linkoeping University · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The study will be conducted at workplaces, where the work environment and tasks increase employee risk of developing neck problems. A total of 320 participants will be recruited consecutively and after informed consent randomized to convergenge dialogue meeting with or without neck-specific exercise. The main outcome measure is work ability, measured via the Work Ability Score.

Detailed description

Background: Collaboration between employees, manager and occupational health expert is needed to promote work ability. One effective method is a convergence dialogue meeting (CDM). Based on the existing work situation, factors are identified in these meetings that can strengthen the employee's work ability and opportunities for a sustainable working life. A combination of workplace and individual interventions is recommended for best effect. Neck-specific exercise (NSE) is the method with the most evidence for neck problems. NSE in evidence based form has not been investigated for work-related neck pain. More knowledge is needed regarding how CDM can be combined with NSE because clear guidelines are lacking on the best intervention for increased work ability in the case of neck problems. Also lacking are evaluations of digitally distributed CDMs and NSE with support from a web-based program for the current population. The aim of the proposed randomized controlled study is to investigate the contribution of NSE with four visits to a physiotherapist and support from a web-program in addition to three digital CDMs promoting the work situation. Methods: The study will be conducted at workplaces, where the work environment and tasks increase employee risk of developing neck problems. A total of 320 participants will be recruited consecutively and after informed consent randomized to CDM with or without NSE. The main outcome measure is work ability, measured via the Work Ability Score. Secondary outcome measures are pain, function, health-related quality of life, work absenteeism and presenteeism, work-related factors, and cost-effectiveness. Pathophysiological aspects regarding inflammation and stress markers measured in blood and saliva will be studied, as will muscular changes measured by microdialysis. Interviews are planned with both employees and managers. Discussion: The goal of the study is to contribute to improved rehabilitation, strengthened work ability, and a sustainable working life for employees with neck problems.

Conditions

• Workplace

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	convergence dialogue meeting	Digital counceling with convergence dialogue tripartite meeting. will be conducted in accordance with work dialogue for return to work. Workplace dialogue among employee with neck problems, an expert in the work environment, and the immediate manager. The purpose of the conversations is, in open dialogue, to reach a common understanding of the situation and identify possible interventions to maintain or improve the employee´s work ability.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-05-01
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2021-06-18
• Last updated: 2022-07-11

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Sweden