Effectiveness of combined aerobic exercise and neck-specific exercise compared to neck-specific exercise alone on work ability in neck pain patients: a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare the effect of combined aerobic exercise (AE) and neck-specific exercise to neck-specific exercise alone on the work ability of individuals complaining of neck pain. Method: Secondary analysis of data from a previous randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare AE and neck-specific exercise (AE group, n = 69) to neck-specific exercise alone (control group, n = 70). The Work Ability Index (WAI) was administered after the 6-week intervention, and Global Rating of Change (GROC) was assessed after the 6-week intervention and at 12- and 24-week follow-ups. Results: Repeated-measure analyses of variance between groups indicated a significant time × group interaction on the GROC at 12- and 24-week follow-ups. The AE group showed better improvement on the GROC (mean ± SD) from 6 to 24 weeks than controls: 4.7(± 0.12) to 5.3 (± 0.13) vs. 4.4 (± 0.13) to 4.1(± 0.13), respectively, (P < 0.001). There was a significant group × time interaction on the WAI (P < 0.001): the AE group showed better improvement (mean ± SD) from baseline to 6-weeks than controls: 34.9 (± 4.4) to 39.2 (± 3.6) vs. 34.4 (± 4.9) to 35.8 (± 4.9), respectively, (P < 0.001). Work ability of participants with poor/moderate baseline scores improved more (P < 0.001) than those with good/excellent baseline scores (P = 0.48). Conclusions: Combining moderate AE and neck-specific exercise improved the work ability of patients with NP more than neck-specific exercise alone. The combination should be recommended in health promotion programs, particularly for workers with low baseline work ability. Clinical trial: Registered at ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02451267; date of registration: 21 May 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home.