Christensen SWM, Palsson TS, Krebs HJ, Graven-Nielsen T, Hirata RP. Prolonged slumped sitting causes neck pain and increased axioscapular muscle activity during a computer task in healthy participants - A randomized crossover study.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2023;
110:104020. [PMID:
36958253 DOI:
10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104020]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Sitting posture may contribute to spinal pain. Effects of postures on pain, sensitivity and muscle activity during computer tasks were investigated.
METHODS
Twenty-five healthy participants, seated at a workstation without backrest, completed four, 15-min typing tasks: A)Upright with forearm-support; B)Upright without forearm-support; C)Slumped with forearm-support; D)Slumped without forearm-support. Participants rated pain every minute on a numerical rating scale (NRS). RMS-EMG was recorded from upper/lower trapezius (UT, LT), serratus anterior and anterior/middle deltoid. At baseline and after tasks, pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were recorded bilaterally over the head, UT, and leg.
RESULTS
All tasks caused clinically relevant increased NRS (≥2/10) compared to baseline (P < 0.001). NRS was higher in Task-D (P < 0.003) and lower in Task-B (P < 0.005) than others. PPTs did not change from baseline. Task-D caused higher UT and LT RMS-EMG (P < 0.02) than other tasks.
CONCLUSION
A 15-min task caused pain irrespective of posture with some causing larger changes than others.
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