Neck pain and sitting time in office workers at a private company in Mexico City.

Abstract

Introduction: Prolonged sitting may be linked to the onset of musculoskeletal disorders—particularly neck pain—due to potential pathophysiological changes and alterations in blood perfusion. Ergonomic modifications and health education have not always proven sufficient to alleviate neck pain. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study will be conducted among office workers at a private company using probability sampling. Neck pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and an algometer, while ergonomic risk will be analyzed using the ROSA method. The relationship between variables will be determined via Spearman correlation, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The study aims to determine whether a relationship exists between the duration of sitting and neck pain, taking into account both the presence and intensity of pain and potential changes in pain thresholds. Discussion and Conclusions: Existing evidence suggests that ergonomic interventions and health education may be insufficient to reduce neck pain, whereas active interventions have demonstrated positive effects. This study seeks to provide evidence regarding the link between prolonged sitting and neck pain, focusing on pathophysiological mechanisms and utilizing the algometer as an objective measure of pain.