Prevalence of Upper Cross Syndrome in IT Professionals
Corresponding Author(s) : Nikita Dey
nikkdey10@gmail.com
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2022): 2022 Volume - 10 Issue - 2
Abstract
Background
Upper cross syndrome (UCS) is the tightness, over-facilitation, over-excitation of the levator scapulae, pectoralis major and upper trapezius whereas weakness, inhibition, suppression of serratus anterior, deep neck flexors more specifically scalene, middle trapezius, lower trapezius and rhomboids. IT Professionals sit on same place for longer duration of time, due to which they adapt faulty posture which needs to be corrected to prevent further musculoskeletal problems. They keep working for more duration as compared to their normal working hours that results in pain and discomfort. It becomes necessary to make them aware about their good posture, importance of ergonomics and importance of exercises to prevent musculoskeletal problems. Hence, it becomes necessary to study the prevalence of Upper cross syndrome in IT Professionals.
Aim and Objectives
To find the risk factors in IT professional having upper crossed syndrome. To evaluate disability in IT professional using neck disability index questionnarie (NDI). To evaluate pain in IT professional using numerical pain rating scale (NPRS).
Methods and Materials
In this study 100 IT professionals as participants were included. Demographic data including name, age, gender, years of working on computer/laptop, daily working hours on computer/laptop, frequency of break, mode of travel were noted. Neck disability and pain rating were assessed by using Neck Disability Index and Numerical Pain Rating scale, Data were collected and statistically analysed.
Results
Our study noted that participants who were included were gender group distribution for 100 individuals out of which 44% are male and 56% are female, age group distribution for 100 individuals out which 63% of individuals belong to 25-30 year age group and 25% of individuals belong to 30-35 year age group, neck disability for 100 individuals out of which 67% of individuals have moderate disability and 33% of individuals have severe disability, pain rating of 100 individuals out of which 4% of individuals have mild pain, 26% of individuals have discomforting moderate pain, 66% of individuals have distressing severe pain, 4% of individuals have intensely severe pain.
Conclusion
The study, based on the neck disability index scale concluded that there is a 67% prevalence of upper cross syndrome in IT professionals.
Upper cross syndrome (UCS) is the tightness, over-facilitation, over-excitation of the levator scapulae, pectoralis major and upper trapezius whereas weakness, inhibition, suppression of serratus anterior, deep neck flexors more specifically scalene, middle trapezius, lower trapezius and rhomboids. IT Professionals sit on same place for longer duration of time, due to which they adapt faulty posture which needs to be corrected to prevent further musculoskeletal problems. They keep working for more duration as compared to their normal working hours that results in pain and discomfort. It becomes necessary to make them aware about their good posture, importance of ergonomics and importance of exercises to prevent musculoskeletal problems. Hence, it becomes necessary to study the prevalence of Upper cross syndrome in IT Professionals.
Aim and Objectives
To find the risk factors in IT professional having upper crossed syndrome. To evaluate disability in IT professional using neck disability index questionnarie (NDI). To evaluate pain in IT professional using numerical pain rating scale (NPRS).
Methods and Materials
In this study 100 IT professionals as participants were included. Demographic data including name, age, gender, years of working on computer/laptop, daily working hours on computer/laptop, frequency of break, mode of travel were noted. Neck disability and pain rating were assessed by using Neck Disability Index and Numerical Pain Rating scale, Data were collected and statistically analysed.
Results
Our study noted that participants who were included were gender group distribution for 100 individuals out of which 44% are male and 56% are female, age group distribution for 100 individuals out which 63% of individuals belong to 25-30 year age group and 25% of individuals belong to 30-35 year age group, neck disability for 100 individuals out of which 67% of individuals have moderate disability and 33% of individuals have severe disability, pain rating of 100 individuals out of which 4% of individuals have mild pain, 26% of individuals have discomforting moderate pain, 66% of individuals have distressing severe pain, 4% of individuals have intensely severe pain.
Conclusion
The study, based on the neck disability index scale concluded that there is a 67% prevalence of upper cross syndrome in IT professionals.
Keywords
Upper Cross Syndrome
tightness
deep neck flexors NDI
NPRS
1.
Nikita Dey, Rima Musale. Prevalence of Upper Cross Syndrome in IT Professionals. Int. J. of Allied Med. Sci. and Clin. Res. [Internet]. 2022 Apr. 18 [cited 2026 Apr. 16];10(2):141-7. Available from: https://ijamscr.com/ijamscr/article/view/1168
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References
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1. Muscolino J. Upper crossed syndrome. J Aust Trad Med Soc. 2015;21(2):80-5.
2. Yoo WG, Yi CH, Kim MH. Effects of a ball-backrest chair on the muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome when working at a VDT. Work. 2007;29(3):239-44. PMID 17942995.
3. Page P, Frank C, Lardner R. Assessment and treatment of muscle imbalance eBook.2010.
4. Bagg SD, Forrest WJ. Electromyographic study of the scapular ro-tators during arm abduction in the scapular plane. Am J Phys Med. 1986 Jun;65(3):111-24. PMID 3717317.
5. Johnson G, Bogduk N, Nowitzke A, House D. Anato-my and actions of the trapezius muscle. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1994 Jan;9(1):44-50. doi: 10.1016/0268-0033(94)90057-4, PMID 23916077.
6. Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relation-ship to cervicogenic headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jul–Aug;27(6):414-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2004.05.007, PMID 15319765.
7. Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to Cervicogenic headache. JMPT. Jul/Aug 2004;27(6):416.
8. Introduction to the ergonomics of manual material handling. [Diunduhdari: diakses tanggal maret]; 2012. Public education section Department of Business and Consumer Business Oregon OSHA. Google Scholar.
9. Etika M, Indah P, Rafsanjan F. Diunduhdari: diakses tanggal. J Ilmiah Tekn Industri. 5 Maret 2014. Vol. 5; 2006. Analisis Manual Material Handling Menggunakan Niosh Equation. p. 4. Google Scholar.
10. Janda V. Muscles and motor control in Cervicogenic disorders. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1994. Google Scholar.
11. Buckle PW, Devereux JJ. The nature of work-related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Appl Ergon. 2002;33(3):207-17. doi: 10.1016/s0003-6870(02)00014-5, PMID 12164505, Google Scholar.
12. Neuman DA. Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system. 2nd ed. Singapore: Mosby; 2009. Google Scholar.
13. Kumar B. Poor posture and its causes. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health. 2016;3:177-8. Google Scholar.
14. Steinmetz A, Seidel W, Muche B. Impairment of pos-tural stabilization systems in musicians with play-ing-related musculoskeletal disorders. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010;33(8):603-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.08.006, PMID 21036282.
15. Tunnell PW. Protocol for visual assessment. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 1996;1(1):21-7. doi: 10.1016/S1360-8592(96)80011-8.
16. Hammer W, Soft-Tissue F. Examination and treatment by manual methods. 2007. 3rd,509.
17. Yoo WG, Yi CH, Kim MH. Effects of a ball-backrest chair on the muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome when working at a VDT. Work. 2007;29(3):239-44. PMID 17942995.
18. Key J, Clift A, Condie F, Et al. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008;12:113.
References
1. Muscolino J. Upper crossed syndrome. J Aust Trad Med Soc. 2015;21(2):80-5.
2. Yoo WG, Yi CH, Kim MH. Effects of a ball-backrest chair on the muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome when working at a VDT. Work. 2007;29(3):239-44. PMID 17942995.
3. Page P, Frank C, Lardner R. Assessment and treatment of muscle imbalance eBook.2010.
4. Bagg SD, Forrest WJ. Electromyographic study of the scapular ro-tators during arm abduction in the scapular plane. Am J Phys Med. 1986 Jun;65(3):111-24. PMID 3717317.
5. Johnson G, Bogduk N, Nowitzke A, House D. Anato-my and actions of the trapezius muscle. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1994 Jan;9(1):44-50. doi: 10.1016/0268-0033(94)90057-4, PMID 23916077.
6. Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relation-ship to cervicogenic headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jul–Aug;27(6):414-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2004.05.007, PMID 15319765.
7. Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to Cervicogenic headache. JMPT. Jul/Aug 2004;27(6):416.
8. Introduction to the ergonomics of manual material handling. [Diunduhdari: diakses tanggal maret]; 2012. Public education section Department of Business and Consumer Business Oregon OSHA. Google Scholar.
9. Etika M, Indah P, Rafsanjan F. Diunduhdari: diakses tanggal. J Ilmiah Tekn Industri. 5 Maret 2014. Vol. 5; 2006. Analisis Manual Material Handling Menggunakan Niosh Equation. p. 4. Google Scholar.
10. Janda V. Muscles and motor control in Cervicogenic disorders. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1994. Google Scholar.
11. Buckle PW, Devereux JJ. The nature of work-related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Appl Ergon. 2002;33(3):207-17. doi: 10.1016/s0003-6870(02)00014-5, PMID 12164505, Google Scholar.
12. Neuman DA. Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system. 2nd ed. Singapore: Mosby; 2009. Google Scholar.
13. Kumar B. Poor posture and its causes. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health. 2016;3:177-8. Google Scholar.
14. Steinmetz A, Seidel W, Muche B. Impairment of pos-tural stabilization systems in musicians with play-ing-related musculoskeletal disorders. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010;33(8):603-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.08.006, PMID 21036282.
15. Tunnell PW. Protocol for visual assessment. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 1996;1(1):21-7. doi: 10.1016/S1360-8592(96)80011-8.
16. Hammer W, Soft-Tissue F. Examination and treatment by manual methods. 2007. 3rd,509.
17. Yoo WG, Yi CH, Kim MH. Effects of a ball-backrest chair on the muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome when working at a VDT. Work. 2007;29(3):239-44. PMID 17942995.
18. Key J, Clift A, Condie F, Et al. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008;12:113.
2. Yoo WG, Yi CH, Kim MH. Effects of a ball-backrest chair on the muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome when working at a VDT. Work. 2007;29(3):239-44. PMID 17942995.
3. Page P, Frank C, Lardner R. Assessment and treatment of muscle imbalance eBook.2010.
4. Bagg SD, Forrest WJ. Electromyographic study of the scapular ro-tators during arm abduction in the scapular plane. Am J Phys Med. 1986 Jun;65(3):111-24. PMID 3717317.
5. Johnson G, Bogduk N, Nowitzke A, House D. Anato-my and actions of the trapezius muscle. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1994 Jan;9(1):44-50. doi: 10.1016/0268-0033(94)90057-4, PMID 23916077.
6. Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relation-ship to cervicogenic headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jul–Aug;27(6):414-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2004.05.007, PMID 15319765.
7. Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to Cervicogenic headache. JMPT. Jul/Aug 2004;27(6):416.
8. Introduction to the ergonomics of manual material handling. [Diunduhdari: diakses tanggal maret]; 2012. Public education section Department of Business and Consumer Business Oregon OSHA. Google Scholar.
9. Etika M, Indah P, Rafsanjan F. Diunduhdari: diakses tanggal. J Ilmiah Tekn Industri. 5 Maret 2014. Vol. 5; 2006. Analisis Manual Material Handling Menggunakan Niosh Equation. p. 4. Google Scholar.
10. Janda V. Muscles and motor control in Cervicogenic disorders. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1994. Google Scholar.
11. Buckle PW, Devereux JJ. The nature of work-related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Appl Ergon. 2002;33(3):207-17. doi: 10.1016/s0003-6870(02)00014-5, PMID 12164505, Google Scholar.
12. Neuman DA. Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system. 2nd ed. Singapore: Mosby; 2009. Google Scholar.
13. Kumar B. Poor posture and its causes. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health. 2016;3:177-8. Google Scholar.
14. Steinmetz A, Seidel W, Muche B. Impairment of pos-tural stabilization systems in musicians with play-ing-related musculoskeletal disorders. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010;33(8):603-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.08.006, PMID 21036282.
15. Tunnell PW. Protocol for visual assessment. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 1996;1(1):21-7. doi: 10.1016/S1360-8592(96)80011-8.
16. Hammer W, Soft-Tissue F. Examination and treatment by manual methods. 2007. 3rd,509.
17. Yoo WG, Yi CH, Kim MH. Effects of a ball-backrest chair on the muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome when working at a VDT. Work. 2007;29(3):239-44. PMID 17942995.
18. Key J, Clift A, Condie F, Et al. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008;12:113.