ΤΡΙΣΕΛΙΔΕΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΕΣ SHORT PAPERS

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1 1 ΤΡΙΣΕΛΙΔΕΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΕΣ SHORT PAPERS 24 ουυ ο Διιεθνούς Συνεδρίίου Φυσιικής Αγωγής & Αθληττιισμού Κομοττηνή,, Μαΐΐου 2016 * The submission, thh review and acceptance of the short paper is certified through this electronic file 24 t Intterrnatti I ionall Congrressss off Physsi icall Educatti ion & Sporrtt Komotti ini,, off May,, 2016

2 30 Αποκατάσταση Rehabilitation ΤΡΙΣΕΛΙΔΕΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΕΣ SHORT PAPERS 24 ου Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου Φυσικής Αγωγής & Αθλητισμού Κομοτηνή, Μαΐου, th International Congress of Physical Education & Sport Komotini, of May, 2016

3 31 THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE AT WORKSPACE (THEWS): A EUROPEAN PROGRAM ERASMUS+, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES A. Beneka 1, P. Malliou 1, M. Stefanakis 2, H. Grønningsæter 3, T. Thoresen 3, Z. Kourounakou 4, S. Sousa 5, A. Giannakopoulos 6 1 Democritus University of Thrace, S.P.E.S.S., Komotini, Greece, 2 University of Nicosia, Cyprus, 3 University College Southeast Norway, 4 ALBA Graduate Business School at the American College of Greece, 5 Ιnstituto Pedro Nunes, Portugal, 6 St. Anna Hospital, St. Elizabeth Gruppe, Herne, Germany Abstract Therapeutic Exercise at Workspace (THEWS) as a European project is a Strategic Partnership that has come together because of the common purpose and belief that health promotion and wellbeing in the workplace is one of the most pressing problems facing European economies. In this article, are described the main outputs and outcomes of the project. Key words: Neck pain, EU, therapeutic exercise, workspace, learning effectiveness, focus group Address for correspondence Anastasia Beneka Address: Democritus University of Thrace, School of Physical Education & Sport, GR Komotini Tel: E mail : ampeneka@phyed.duth.gr

4 32 THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE AT WORKSPACE (THEWS): A EUROPEAN PROGRAM ERASMUS+, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES Introduction Nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) is the second most common spinal complain. NSNP is most common in office workers due to prolonged sitting and computer work. It is often treated with exercises but the best type of exercise for this disorder is yet to be determined. Furthermore the best type of exercise for office workers and for an office environment is debatable. The aim of this project was to design an exercise program suitable for office workers with neck pain and to adapt it so that it can be performed in an office environment. Followed are described the main outputs developed during the project. Focus group specification of employees needs and Joint Staff Training event The first step in this process was to identify the needs for exercises of the office workers (end users) themselves. A focus group design was utilized to identify the needs for exercises of office workers with neck pain. It was held in three different EU countries Norway, Greece and Cyprus. The methodology and the script were the same although adapted in the two languages by the researchers. Two focus groups of 8 people were held in Greece, one of 8 people was held in Cyprus and one with 4 participants was held in Norway. Three out of four groups were mixed gender and only the one in Norway consisted of only females. Participants in Norway were more chronic compared to the other groups but all of them were office workers with a history of neck pain. Participants were asked to name their major complain, how the problem affects their life, what affects the problem most, what strategies they use to alleviate it and what exercises they feel are the most helpful. Their statements were recorded and analyzed subsequently. The recordings of all groups were used to produce the results below. Neck pain and muscle tightness were the most frequent complain. It significantly increased with prolonged sitting at the desk and was related to poor, slumped posture and work related stress. Participants stated they were less productive because of their neck pain and they wished to have some strategies to manage their problem at work. They added that they frequently used stretching exercises, massage of neck muscles and strengthening exercises to alleviate their symptoms but they never had proper guidance in how to manage their problem or perform the exercises.

5 33 In conclusion, the activity identified a gap in the guidance of office workers with neck discomfort, in appropriate exercises and stress management strategies, for prevention or management of their complaint, especially in the workplace. The 2 nd Activity of the Project concerned the Joint Staff Training Event. First, the trainers were informed by medical experts on current methods of clinical treatment for neck pain and key points for designing therapeutic protocols. Then, the trainers presented and discussed with physicians and physical therapists the contents of health promotion programs with emphasis on those addressing neck pain symptoms. Finally, specific learning modules according to exercise experts knowledge and topics for each module were defined by all partners. The modules were jointly developed between academics (DUTH,HBV,EDEX) and medical experts (GER) as well as being a joint development relationship between countries. Each partner organization had a codevelopment role across all the modules envisaged. Goals and advantages of THEWS exercise protocol THEWS exercise protocol can help office workers either prevent or cope with the symptoms of chronic neck pain. This exercise protocol is designed to help the office worker correct their head positioning and gradually attain appropriate head repositioning (neutral position). This can be achieved through strengthening and stretching of the corresponding muscles and enhancing the proprioception ability of the neck muscles. The advantages of the suggested protocol are the following: Office workers can make use of this protocol while sitting or standing without drawing attention to their workout! Office clothes are perfectly suitable for this protocol. (e.g. a tie, a skirt or a suit should not dissuade anyone from adhering to the program). The protocol does not require any special equipment, so anyone can use it while seated even in the car waiting at traffic lights. The exercises are easy to execute, following a brief instruction period with a specialist. After only a little practice, office workers are able to check themselves for proper execution and appropriate posture while working. Intensive study program (ISP) Evaluation of learning effectiveness The aim of this output was to analyze learning effectiveness from an international Intensive Study Program (ISP) conducted in Norway from 23rd to 27th of November A

6 34 total of thirty physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise specialists students (14 female, 16 male) from Greece, Cyprus and Norway were included in the project. The ISP consisted of lectures, group assignments and practical exercises five days, six hours per day. All topics were related to the Learners Pack of THEWS. The learning effectiveness was measured by a quantitative questionnaire and a qualitative focus group interview conducted with six of the students, two from each country. The results showed high overall learning effectiveness and the students expectations were met. There seemed to be gender differences, as the female students reported higher scores. Qualitative data supported our expectations regarding cultural differences related to vision and faith in the future. These are strongly affected by the crises in Greece. The ISP had however strengthened self efficacy in most of the students. Multimedia application for exercise at workspace A web platform was developed with two main objectives: 1) share of learning material between teachers and students and 2) an application suggesting exercises based on a questionnaire. To share documents in the platform the user teacher needs to create an account and login in the platform with this account. After that the user needs to upload the documents to the platform and create a group adding users to that group, giving permission to access the documents, so all the users within the group will be able to access them. A group of exprerts developed various exercise protocols demonstrated in short length videos. The application guides the user to the exercise protocol which is more suitable for his symptoms. Each time the user completes the questionnaire a new exercise protocol will be shown. These suggestions can be in form of videos (list of videos) or as audio files. How to communicate THEWS at workspace There is a trend the last 10 years that the HR departments give emphasis to Health & Wellness programs for their employees. Before 2009, more emphasis was given to Work Life Balance practices such as gym benefits, team building recreational activities, sport teams, events etc. After 2010, and the Greek financial crisis HR Managers try to find ways to promote health in the workspace in more creative ways with minimum cost for the company. Nowadays, they usually promote health and wellness in the workplace by organizing info days of doctors (diabetes, dental health, psychologist, dietician), they arrange special diet menu at the company s restaurant, they organize running teams and sport teams, special Health & Wellness weeks or days full of sport activities, or they bargain

7 35 special arranged prices for gyms and sport events, and bring trainers in the office to offer pilates or yoga or even massage. There are specific steps that the specialists need to take in order to contact HR executives in order to promote Health & Wellness programs, and therapeutic exercises. First of all, they should try to access them through E mail where they should give emphasis in the notion of partnership and they should highlight the impact. It would be very helpful to send a demo of the exercises if possible and ask for an appointment and do a demo in the office. The trainers need to accommodate the HR executives as much as possible and try to make it as easy as possible in organizational details. They need to be creative even if this means that they need to design a small poster/memo to invite employees at the demo session. The trainers need to be well prepared about the company background, its culture, the demographics of employees etc. and adjust their exercise to the specific target group. This is a volunteering program so it has to be fun. The trainers need also to cooperate with the HR manager to arrange healthy drinks, have some ambient music etc. The more creative is the implementation of the exercise the better are the results and the impact of the program. In addition, the trainers need to develop a small questionnaire for the employees to track their experience/evaluation in order to provide feedback to the HR on evaluation results. This is the best way to make arrangements for the following future sessions. It would be good if the trainer can record the event so as to use the material for presentations to other companies. Most HR Managers know each other so the best way to approach other companies is by asking the HR Manager to give references to other HR managers. The existing testimonials will be the selling points of the future e mails. Conclusion It is not easy to approach the companies and provide them with any exercise program. However, it is our role to get in the companies shoes and understand how they work and what kind of language they use. The benefit for the employees and the society in general will be enormous if trainers find the right way to enter the business world and promote the therapeutic exercise in the office.

8 36 H θεραπευτική άσκηση στον εργασιακό χώρο (THEWS): Ένα Ευρωπαικό πρόγραμμα Erasmus+, κατηγορία Στρατηγικών Συμπράξεων Παραδοτέα και αποτελέσματα A. Beneka 1, P. Malliou 1, M. Stefanakis 2, H. Grønningsæter 3, T. Thoresen 3, Z. Kourounakou 4, S. Sousa 5, A. Giannakopoulos 6 1 Democritus University of Thrace, S.P.E.S.S., Komotini, Greece, 2 University of Nicosia, Cyprus, 3 University College Southeast Norway, 4 ALBA Graduate Business School at the American College of Greece, 5 Ιnstituto Pedro Nunes, Portugal, 6 St. Anna Hospital, St. Elizabeth Gruppe, Herne, Germany Περίληψη Η Θεραπευτική άσκηση στον Εργασιακό Χώρο Therapeutic Exercise at Workspace (THEWS) είναι ένα Ευρωπαϊκό Σχέδιο Στρατηγικής Σύμπραξης η οποία αναπτύχθηκε με κοινό σκοπό και πιστεύω ότι η προαγωγή της υγείας και η ποιότητα ζωής στον εργασιακό χώρο είναι ένα από τα πιο σημαντικά προβλήματα που αντιμετωπίζουν οι ευρωπαϊκές οικονομίες τα τελευταία χρόνια. Στον παρόν άρθρο παρουσιάζονται τα κυριότερα παραδοτέα του προγράμματος και τα αποτελέσματα στις ομάδες στόχους. Λέξεις κλειδιά: Πόνος στον αυχένα, θεραπευτική άσκηση, εργασιακός χώρος, αποτελεσματικότητα μάθησης, ομάδες εστίασης Διεύθυνση αλληλογραφίας Αναστασία Μπενέκα Διεύθυνση: Δημοκρίτειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θράκης, Σ.Ε.Φ.Α.Α., Κομοτηνή Τηλ.: ampeneka@phyed.duth.gr