Original Article: JRCRS. 2025; 13(4):236-241
8- Impact of cervicogenic headache on work productivity: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Misbah binte Ilyas1, Tayyaba Iqbal2, Hifza Arif3, Nimra Ilyas bhutta4
1 Lecturer, Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Mansehra, Pakistan
2 Physiotherapist, Helping Hand Comprehensive Physical Rehabilitaion Program (HH CPRP), Pakistan
3 Teaching Assistant, Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Mansehra, Pakistan
4 Research In charge/ Clinical Supervisor, Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Mansehra, Pakistan
Read Full-Text Full-Text PDF DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.53389/JRCRS.2025130408
ABSTRACT:
Background: One-sided, recurring headache that generally comes with neck pain and stiffness are associated with cervicogenic headache. These headaches have frequent episodes lately, and they alter people’s day to day routines and quality of work. It’s impossible to stay productive or focused while your head and neck is hurting continuously, and for healthcare professionals, it can even effect care services given to patients.
Objective: To assess the effect of cervicogenic headache on job performance among the office workers.
Methodology: Cross-sectional survey was implemented by the researchers, involving the Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group criteria to spot cases of cervicogenic headache. They Selected 290 volunteers using convenience sampling and focus on the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI) to assess them. The researchers evaluated the data with SPSS version 22. Everyone who took part gave their informed consent.
Results: Age group selected in this study was among 27 – 40 years old. The results showed that the more hours of work each day causes the higher pain scores and shows elevation. Productivity and activity impairment scores also raise with pain. Absenteeism and presenteeism had somehow moderate association with pain (r = 0.408 and r = 0.519), but by giving a thorough look to work and activity impairment, the correlation was even stronger (r = 0.704 for both). Individuals having chronic CGH felt the strongest decline in their productivity, and the difference between all the stages of CGH it was clear that chronic cases had major worst impact (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: This study shows a significant correlation between cervicogenic headaches and lower work productivity. When the pain gets worse or lasts longer, job performance really takes a hit. But it’s not just about the pain itself
Keywords: Absenteeism, Cervicogenic headache, Neck pain headache, Presenteeism, Work productivity, Working population