Tractor drivers' head- and neck-ache: Vågå study of headache epidemiology

Abstract

The main aim was to study the occurrence of neck- and headache in farmers exposed to seasonal tractor work which involves prolonged, continuous neck rotation. As an integral part of the Vågå study of headache epidemiology, 109 farmers were interviewed according to a set scheme in a 'semistructured' interview, concerning complaints in the wake of tractor work. No appreciable headache/neck-ache was found in 13 farmers; neck-ache alone was present in 66 farmers; headache/neck-ache was present in 15 farmers. For the remaining 15, the information was inadequate. Headache appeared only in connection with neck-ache. Only in those with headache did there seem to be a prevalence of nuchal features (such as reduced range of motion in the neck and positive skin-roll test). In 45% of cases, there was a carry-over effect after the chores, mostly of 1-3 days duration. Head- and neck-pain seem to be frequent in tractor drivers during chores.