Prevalence of Upper Cross Syndrome and Pre-Presbyopic Symptoms Among Handloom Cluster of West Bengal

Author(s): Kusum Agarwal, Chinmoyee Baruah Hazra, Soumen Mukherjee, Debolina Kumar, Ravikant Ballav, Sahanaj Parveen, N.K Singh

Background: The repetitive and posture-intensive nature of handloom work imposes significant physical strain, leading to various occupational health issues. This study explores the incidence of Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) and pre-presbyopic symptoms among West Bengal handloom workers and examines their interrelation.
Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400 handloom workers from different West Bengal clusters participated. The Neck Disability Index (NDI), REEDCO Posture Score (RPS), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used to evaluate the prevalence of UCS. For pre-presbyopic symptoms, visual tests like Monocular Estimation Method (MEM) and Near Visual Acuity (NVA). The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 software.
Results: Among 400 handloom workers, most reported neck pain, postural dysfunction, and mild to moderate neck disability, with males more affected. Pain (NPRS) correlated negatively with posture (REEDCO, r = –0.71) and positively with disability (NDI, r = 0.599). Common findings included muscle tightness and weakness in the neck and shoulder girdle, with restricted cervical and shoulder movements. Workers aged 30–39 years showed early presbyopia (p < 0.01) linked to reduced near vision and higher MEM values.