Effectiveness of Tai Ji exercise on shoulder, neck and back pain among college students

Abstract

Objective To explore effectiveness of Tai Ji exercise on the shoulder, neck and back pain caused by sedentary lifestyle among college students.

Methods Totally 350 college students with shoulder, neck or back pain were divided into two groups by random number table method ( n = 175). The control group received no exercise prescription intervention, while the intervention group received Taijiquan exercise for 12 weeks. The changes of cervical Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, lumbar JOA score and VAS score before and after intervention were compared between the two groups.

Results The scores of upper limb motor function, lower limb motor function, sensory function, subjective symptoms, clinical signs and daily activity limitation in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P< 0.05). The VAS score of the intervention group after intervention was (1.51±0.63), which was significantly lower than that of the control group (3.49±0.75, P<0.05). The improvement in frequency and duration of pain in the intervention group were more significant than those in the control group ( P< 0.05). The rate of symptom improvement was significantly higher in the intervention (86.86%), than that of the control group (4.00%, P<0.05).

Conclusion For the shoulder, neck and back pain caused by sedentary lifestyle, the practice of Tai Ji exercise can effectively relax the muscles and the joint tissue. The results show effectiveness in alleviating shoulder, neck and back pain among college students.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨太极拳练习对大学生久坐引起的肩颈、腰背疼痛的改善效果, 为防治大学生肩颈腰背疼痛提供 参考。 方法 使用随机数字表法将桂林市5所髙校在校大学生中的350名有肩颈或腰背疼痛问题的大学生分为两组 ( n = 175), 对照组不进行运动处方干预, 干预组进行为期12周的太极拳练习。对比两组干预前后的颈椎日本骨科协会评估治 疗 (JOA)评分、腰椎JOA评分、VAS评分的变化。 结果 干预组干预后的上肢运动功能、下肢运动功能、感觉功能评分, 及 主观症状、临床体征、日常活动受限度评分均较干预前提髙 ( t 值分别为21.87, 18.39, 19.40, 21.00, 18.53, 39.08, P值均< 0.01), 且均髙于对照组 ( P值均<0.05)。干预组干预后的VAS评分为 (1.51±0.63), 低于对照组 (3.49±0.75) ( t = 26.74, P< 0.05)。研究组大学生的疼痛频率降低、疼痛时间缩短发生率均髙于对照组 ( P值均<0.05)。研究组大学生的总有效率为 86.86%, 髙于对照组的4.00% (χ ²=242.31, P<0.05)。 结论 对于大学生久坐引起的肩颈、腰背疼痛, 坚持进行太极拳练习 能够有效放松肩颈腰背肌肉, 活动各部位关节, 缓解肩、颈、腰、背各部位疼痛, 应用效果显著。