A multi-component intervention (NEXpro) reduces neck pain - a randomized controlled trial among Swiss office workers

Sep 30, 2026

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A 12-week multi-component intervention (NEXpro) was evaluated for reducing neck pain among Swiss office workers using a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. From January 2020 to April 2021, 120 participants transitioned from control to intervention by cluster, receiving neck exercises, health-promotion workshops, and workplace ergonomics. Neck pain intensity, frequency, and disability were measured with NRS, 28-day frequency, and the Neck Disability Index. Mixed-effects models assessed outcomes across 517 observations. Results showed statistically significant improvement in pain frequency and marginal reductions in disability. Further research is needed to assess long-term effects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Objective

Methods

Participants and intervention

Outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Key terms

Original article This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. ScandJ Work Environ Health. 2026;52(1):51–62. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4254 A multi-component intervention (NEXpro) reduces neck pain: a randomized controlled trial among Swiss office workers by Andrea Martina Aegerter, PhD, 1, 2* Venerina Johnston, PhD,3, 4* Thomas Volken, PhD, 1 Gisela Sjøgaard, PhD,5 Markus Josef Ernst, MSc, 1, 6 Hannu Luomajoki, PhD, 1 Achim Elfering, PhD,7 Markus Melloh, PhD, 1 on behalf of the NEXpro collaboration group 8 Aegerter AM, Johnston V, Volken T, Sjøgaard G, Ernst MJ, Luomajoki H, Elfering A, Melloh M, on behalf of the NEXpro collaboration group. A multi-component intervention (NEXpro) reduces neck pain: a randomized controlled trial among Swiss office workers. ScandJ Work Environ Health. 2026;52(1):51–62 . Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week multi-component intervention on neck pain among Swiss office workers. Methods Between January 2020 and April 2021, we conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial involving 120 office workers (18−65 years) without severe neck problems from two Swiss companies. Participants started in the control condition and sequentially transitioned to the intervention condition by their cluster. The 12-week intervention included neck exercises, health-promotion workshops, and workplace ergonomics. Neck pain was assessed by intensity [numeric rating scale (NRS) 0=no pain, 10=maximum pain], frequency (days with neck pain in the past 28 days), and disability [Neck Disability Index (NDI) 0%=no disability, 100%=maximum disability) . Mixed-effects models were used to assess the intervention’s effect on neck pain intensity, frequency, and disability. Results This analysis includes 517 observations (295 control, 222 intervention) . At baseline, the mean age was 43.7 years [standard deviation years (SD) 9.8], and 71.7% were female. The average neck pain intensity was NRS 2.4 (SD 2.0), frequency 6.8 days (SD 8.0), and disability 11.8%(SD 9.9). A statistically significant effect favoring the multi-component intervention was found for neck pain frequency, with a marginal predicted mean reduction of 1.55 days [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.84−-0.26], and neck disability, with a marginal predicted mean reduction of NDI 2.23%(95% CI-2.96−-1.68) . Conclusions This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of a 12-week multi-component intervention in reducing neck pain among office workers. Specifically, office workers experienced neck pain less frequently and with a milder impact on daily activities. Further research is needed to investigate long-term effects. Key terms adherence; efficiency; ergonomics; exercise; health promotion; occupational health; patient compliance; Switzerland; workplace. * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Contributed equally to this work. Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland. University of Lucerne, University Research Centre Health and Society, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Lucerne, Switzerland. University of Southern Queensland, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Ipswich, Australia. University of Southern Queensland, Centre for Health Research, Ipswich, Australia. University of Southern Denmark, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Odense, Denmark. University of Birmingham, School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain, Birmingham, UK. University of Bern, Institute of Psychology, Bern, Switzerland. NEXpro collaboration group: The following are members of the NEXpro collaboration group: Andrea MAegerter, AulonaAjeti, Marco Barbero, Beatrice Brunner, Samira Buob, Jon Cornwall, Yara Da Cruz Pereira, Manja Deforth, Oliver Distler, Julia Dratva, Holger Dressel, Tobias Egli, Achim Elfering, Markus J Ernst, Irene Etzer-Hofer, Deborah Fal

FAQs

What was the main objective of the study?

The study investigated the effect of a 12-week multi-component intervention on neck pain among Swiss office workers.

What did the 12-week NEXpro intervention include?

It included neck exercises, health-promotion workshops, and workplace ergonomics.

How was neck pain assessed in the trial?

Neck pain intensity used a 0–10 numeric rating scale, frequency used days with neck pain in the past 28 days, and disability used the Neck Disability Index (0%–100%).

What were the key findings for pain and disability?

The intervention showed a statistically significant benefit for neck pain frequency, and marginal predicted reductions were observed for neck disability, with office workers experiencing less frequent pain and milder impact on daily activities.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky