2 0.2 3.1 0.465 1.0 3.0 0.099  Decreased musc. activity T1-T3 10.6 4.1 0.1 3.0 0.648 1.4 3.3 0.049*

Observed work ability: Dexterity/gross movements test  Decreased pain T1-T2 13.4 2.8 0.9 2.1 0.056 0.4 2.9 0.517  Decreased pain T1-T3 13.3 2.6 0.6 2.2 0.275 0.7 2.2 0.249  Decreased musc. activity T1-T2 13.9 2.0 0.5 1.8 0.118 0.4 1.9 0.181  Decreased musc. activity T1-T3 14.0 2.3 0.3 2.0 0.461 0.3 2.0 0.407 * P ≤ 0.05 Discussion The main results of this RCT study are lowered pain at follow-up among both intervention groups in selleck chemicals llc relation to the controls. Decreased pain was associated with increased self-rated and indicated for observed work ability (P = 0.056). Both interventions showed positive results among female workers with chronic neck pain on long-term sick leave. Consequently, they could be beneficially developed for use in occupational health or primary care practice to decrease pain and increase work ability. The types of interventions were associated with different outcomes, which may illustrate their various time to effect of intervention and sustainability of effect. The results can be generalized to similar groups (regarding health status and societal context), taking into account

the below described considerations. Muscular strength training showed better results in terms of self-rated work ability and mental health. The majority of IWP-2 concentration participating women were employed in care of the elderly and disabled, where requirements regarding mental health and physical fitness are fairly high. Although longer periods of physical training might be needed to reduce chronic pain, the participants were encouraged to continue their training after the intensive program. The positive

results may therefore be due to changed behavior. Earlier studies have shown positive results from intensive training program, but there are few studies of how long time of coaching that is needed (Hartigan et al. 1996; Kay et al. 2005, Hurwitz et al. 2008). One review study recommended 4–6 weeks Amino acid of intensive coaching, followed by 12–18 months of rehabilitation (Hartigan et al. 1996). Studies involving similar target groups have shown that both static strength and muscular endurance increased after an intervention with strength training among women with work-related trapezius myalgia (Andersen et al. 2008a; b). The same study series also indicates that strength training may alleviate pain in patients with trapezius myalgia. Another RCT showed that the threshold for perceived exertion and pain may be increased by muscular strength training (Hagberg et al. 2000). The AZD6738 chemical structure myofeedback intervention was associated with increased vitality, increased performance in the cutlery wiping performance test. The results of our study regarding changed muscle activation showed increased gaps in more follow-up test after myofeedback compared to the controls and among participants in the intensive muscular strength training group (L. Sandsjö et al.