A Multi-component Intervention (NEXpro) Reduces Neck Pain-Related Work Productivity Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Swiss Office Workers.

The study population was highly educated, well-paid, and mostly female, which may not represent all office workers or other countries. The intervention was multi-component (ergonomics, workshops, exercises), so it is impossible to determine which part caused the reduction in productivity loss. The primary outcome was self-reported via questionnaires, which can be influenced by recall bias or social desirability. The study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed working environments (e.g., working from home) and may have affected adherence and results. The effect size was small and below the threshold for minimal clinically important difference, limiting its relevance for individual patient care. Medication use and other concurrent treatments were not recorded, which could have influenced neck pain levels.

The study was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. No commercial conflicts of interest were declared.

Do not interpret the 2.8 percentage point reduction as a clinically significant improvement for individual patients. The authors classify the effect as small because it falls below the minimal clinically important difference threshold of 7-20%. Additionally, because the intervention combined ergonomics, education, and exercise, you cannot attribute the result to any single component.