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Christensen SWM, Johansson SS, Jensen MD, Jensen AE, Knudsen TH, Palsson TS. Effect of a Posture-Cueing Shirt on Sitting Posture During a Functional Task in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Cross-Over Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2022; 44:725-733. [PMID: 35701242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a posture-cueing shirt on sitting posture during a functional task. METHODS Thirty healthy male participants were seated at a standardized workstation while completing 3 laptop writing tasks of 15-minute duration wearing either a posture-cueing shirt, a compression shirt, or no shirt. Posture was assessed based on photos taken at minutes 1 and 15 into the writing task from which the head and shoulder angles were measured and extracted for analysis. After each task, participants rated any potential pain they felt during the task on an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS). RESULTS The results showed that none of the shirts significantly affected the head or shoulder angles at any time point. Participants reported lower pain levels after using the posture-cueing shirt (NRS 0 [0-1]) compared with no shirt (NRS 1 [0-2]; P = .012). No significant difference in pain levels was observed between shirts. CONCLUSION Although posture did not change in any conditions for these healthy male subjects, the posture-cueing shirt resulted in a lower pain intensity compared with no shirt but not with a compression shirt. Although a significant difference was found for pain intensity favoring the posture-cueing shirt, this difference was negligible, and thus its value to reduce pain or improve posture in healthy subjects remains in question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffan W M Christensen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Steffen S Johansson
- Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mikkel D Jensen
- Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Anne E Jensen
- Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Trine H Knudsen
- Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Thorvaldur S Palsson
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Tersa-Miralles C, Bravo C, Bellon F, Pastells-Peiró R, Rubinat Arnaldo E, Rubí-Carnacea F. Effectiveness of workplace exercise interventions in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054288. [PMID: 35105632 PMCID: PMC8804637 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of workplace exercise interventions in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. DESIGN Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES The bibliographical databases PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane, Scopus, ISI WoS and PeDRO were searched, with studies from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020 eligible for inclusion. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included RCTs, reported in English or Spanish, with at least an intervention group performing workplace exercises among office workers with musculoskeletal disorders. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A narrative synthesis was carried out with a tabular method specifying the study characteristics following the SWiM (Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis) guideline for synthesis without meta-analysis. The revised Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB-2) tool was used to analyse the risk of bias of the included studies. RESULTS Seven studies with a total of 967 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Due to heterogeneity in different workplace exercise interventions, outcome measures and statistical analyses, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis and a narrative synthesis was performed. The interventions were classified into three categories: multiple body regions, neck and shoulder, and lower back. The seven studies concluded that workplace exercise interventions were effective in reducing musculoskeletal disorders and pain compared with other types of interventions or with control groups with no interventions. The RoB-2 tool found a high risk of bias in six of the seven studies. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the RCTs on workplace exercise interventions suggest that interventions were effective in treating musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. However, due to the high risk of bias of the included studies, no firm conclusions could be drawn and more high-quality studies are needed. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020177462.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristina Bravo
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, GRECS, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida, Fundació Dr. Pifarré, Lleida, Spain
- Grup d'Estudis Societat, Salut, Educació i Cultura, GESEC, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Filip Bellon
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, GRECS, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida, Fundació Dr. Pifarré, Lleida, Spain
| | - Roland Pastells-Peiró
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, GRECS, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida, Fundació Dr. Pifarré, Lleida, Spain
| | - Esther Rubinat Arnaldo
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, GRECS, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida, Fundació Dr. Pifarré, Lleida, Spain
- Grup d'Estudis Societat, Salut, Educació i Cultura, GESEC, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Rubí-Carnacea
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, GRECS, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida, Fundació Dr. Pifarré, Lleida, Spain
- Grup d'Estudis Societat, Salut, Educació i Cultura, GESEC, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
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Brusaca LA, Barbieri DF, Beltrame T, Milan-Mattos JC, Catai AM, Oliveira AB. Cardiac autonomic responses to different tasks in office workers with access to a sit-stand table - a study in real work setting. ERGONOMICS 2021; 64:354-365. [PMID: 32985949 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2020.1830184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterise the cardiac autonomic modulation of different office tasks performed by office workers with access to a sit-stand table. Heart rate variability (HRV) of 24 office workers was measured for two hours during three days in the last week of sit-stand table use. HRV indexes and the percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR) were calculated during computer and non-computer work tasks while sitting or standing, non-computer tasks away from the work desk, and informal work breaks. All cardiac autonomic responses demonstrated a statistically significant interaction effect between the tasks (all p < 0.05) except for the logarithmically-transformed high frequency power (ln HF ms2; p = 0.14). Tasks performed while standing and away from the desk had higher sympathetic modulation; in addition, the observed higher %HRR demonstrated that these tasks were more physically demanding in comparison to other tasks. Practitioner Summary: Prior reports indicated benefits based on alternated body postures using sit-stand table. Nevertheless, the cardiac autonomic responses of different tasks performed by office workers are unknown. This cross-sectional study showed that different tasks stimulate the cardiac autonomic nervous system in different ways, which could bring positive effects to the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Augusto Brusaca
- Department of Physical Therapy, Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Dechristian França Barbieri
- Department of Physical Therapy, Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Thomas Beltrame
- Department of Physical Therapy, Cardiovascular Physical Therapy Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
- The Institute of Computing, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Ibirapuera - UNIB, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Cristina Milan-Mattos
- Department of Physical Therapy, Cardiovascular Physical Therapy Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Aparecida Maria Catai
- Department of Physical Therapy, Cardiovascular Physical Therapy Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Oliveira
- Department of Physical Therapy, Clinical and Occupational Kinesiology Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
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Razmjou H, Palinkas V, Robarts S, Kennedy D. Psychometric Properties of the OSPRO-YF Screening Tool in Patients with Shoulder Pathology. Physiother Can 2021; 73:26-36. [PMID: 35110821 PMCID: PMC8774952 DOI: 10.3138/ptc-2019-0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: The Optimal Screening for Prediction of Referral and Outcome Yellow Flag (OSPRO-YF) is a screening tool that incorporates many important psychosocial domains into one questionnaire to reduce the burden of completing multiple questionnaires. The objectives of this study were to examine the reliability and validity of the 10-item version of the OSPRO-YF with patients with shoulder conditions. Method: The study group consisted of injured workers with an active compensation claim for a shoulder injury. The control group consisted of patients with a complaint of shoulder pain but without a work-related shoulder injury. We examined reliability (internal consistency, test-retest) and validity (factorial, convergent, known groups). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand; and the short Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire were used for comparison. Results: Eighty patients had an active compensation claim, and 160 were in the control group. The intra-class correlation coefficient values for two observations of the domain scores varied from 0.91 to 0.94. The test-retest reliability of the dichotomous constructs was moderate to perfect for 8 of 11 constructs. The 10-item OSPRO-YF questionnaire had three distinct domains, as conceptualized by the developers: mood, fear avoidance, and positive affect-coping. The Cronbach's a coefficients for these domains were 0.88, 0.94, and 0.94, respectively. The associations between the psychological constructs and domains and the similar theoretically derived scales were moderate to high and in the expected direction. Of the 11 constructs of the OSPRO-YF, 10 differentiated between patients with and without a work-related injury (p-values ranging from 0.028 to < 0.001). Conclusions: The 10-item OSPRO-YF reduces the burden of using multiple questionnaires and has acceptable test-retest and internal consistency reliability and factorial, convergent, and known-groups validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Razmjou
- Department of Rehabilitation, Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre
- Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto
| | - Veronica Palinkas
- Department of Rehabilitation, Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto
| | - Susan Robarts
- Department of Rehabilitation, Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre
- Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto
| | - Deborah Kennedy
- Department of Rehabilitation, Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont
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Tersa-Miralles C, Pastells-Peiró R, Rubí-Carnacea F, Bellon F, Rubinat Arnaldo E. Effectiveness of workplace exercise interventions in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers: a protocol of a systematic review. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038854. [PMID: 33371019 PMCID: PMC7757473 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Physical inactivity due to changes in our society towards more sedentary behaviours is leading to health problems. Increasing physical activity might be a good strategy to improve physical strength and reduce the prevalence of illnesses associated with prolonged sitting. Office workers exhibit a sedentary lifestyle with short rest periods or even without pauses during the workday. It is important to perform workplace interventions to treat musculoskeletal disorders caused by prolonged sitting and lack of movement adopted on the office setting. This article describes a protocol for a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions on office workers in their work environment. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A literature search will be performed in the PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ISI WoS and PeDRO databases for randomised controlled trials and studies published from 1 January 2010 to 31 July 2020 in English or Spanish. The participants will be office workers who spend most of their work time in a sitting position. The interventions performed will include any type of exercise intervention in the workplace. The outcome measures will vary in accordance with the aim of the intervention observed. The results of the review and the outcomes from the studies reviewed will be summarised with a narrative synthesis. The review protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval is not required. The review outcomes and the additional data obtained will be disseminated through publications and in scientific conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020177462.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roland Pastells-Peiró
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, IRBLleida, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation, Lleida, Spain
| | - Francesc Rubí-Carnacea
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, IRBLleida, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation, Lleida, Spain
- Grupo de Estudios Sociedad, Salud, Educación y Cultura, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Filip Bellon
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, IRBLleida, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation, Lleida, Spain
| | - Esther Rubinat Arnaldo
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Grup de Recerca de Cures en Salut, IRBLleida, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation, Lleida, Spain
- Grupo de Estudios Sociedad, Salud, Educación y Cultura, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
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Boljanovic D, Razmjou H, Elmaraghy A. Psychosocial flag signs: impact on work status following a compensable shoulder injury. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2019.1682036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dragana Boljanovic
- Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Helen Razmjou
- Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Amr Elmaraghy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Keown GA, Tuchin PA. Workplace Factors Associated With Neck Pain Experienced by Computer Users: A Systematic Review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2018; 41:508-529. [PMID: 30025880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this systematic review was to examine literature on workplace factors associated with neck pain or symptoms in computer users performing clerical functions. METHODS A systematic search of the Cochrane, Medline, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases was conducted for observational and experimental studies published since 2000. This review applied the case definition of The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. RESULTS Seven hundred twenty-nine studies were identified. Seven hundred and two studies were excluded. Twenty-seven studies fulfilled inclusion criteria and were assessed for risk of bias. Cross-sectional studies were commonly at risk from nonresponse bias and lack of adequate case definitions. Experimental studies were mostly at risk of bias due to confounding and participant recruitment methods. CONCLUSIONS Neck pain was not significantly associated with high job demands, low skill discretion, low decision authority, or low peer support. However, when these variables were combined with increased duration of computing tasks, or ergonomic demands, they reached significance. Supervisor support was found to be the only significant buffer capable of preventing these variables reaching significance in female office workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Keown
- Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Peter A Tuchin
- Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
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Hayashi K, Arai YCP, Ikemoto T, Nishihara M, Suzuki S, Hirakawa T, Matsuo S, Kobayashi M, Haruta M, Kawabata Y, Togo H, Noguchi T, Hase T, Hatano G, Ushida T. Predictive factors for the outcome of multidisciplinary treatments in chronic low back pain at the first multidisciplinary pain center of Japan. J Phys Ther Sci 2015; 27:2901-5. [PMID: 26504321 PMCID: PMC4616122 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.27.2901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] Multidisciplinary treatments are recommended for treatment of chronic low back
pain. The aim of this study was to show the associations among multidisciplinary treatment
outcomes, pretreatment psychological factors, self-reported pain levels, and history of
pain in chronic low back pain patients. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 221 chronic low
back pain patients were chosen for the study. The pretreatment scores for the 10-cm Visual
Analogue Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale,
Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Pain Disability Assessment Scale, pain drawings, and
history of pain were collected. The patients were divided into two treatment outcome
groups a year later: a good outcome group and a poor outcome group. [Results] One-hundred
eighteen patients were allocated to the good outcome group. The scores for the Visual
Analogue Scale, Pain Disability Assessment Scale, and affective subscale of the Short-Form
McGill Pain Questionnaire and number of nonorganic pain drawings in the good outcome group
were significantly lower than those in the poor outcome group. Duration of pain in the
good outcome group was significantly shorter than in the poor outcome group. [Conclusion]
These findings help better predict the efficacy of multidisciplinary treatments in chronic
low back pain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Hayashi
- Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Aichi Medical University, Japan ; Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan ; Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya University Hospital, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Shigeyuki Suzuki
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Tomoe Hirakawa
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Shingo Matsuo
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Mami Kobayashi
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Midori Haruta
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Yuka Kawabata
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Hiroki Togo
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Taiji Noguchi
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Hase
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Genki Hatano
- Program in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ushida
- Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Aichi Medical University, Japan
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Kamil NSM, Dawal SZM. Effect of postural angle on back muscle activities in aging female workers performing computer tasks. J Phys Ther Sci 2015; 27:1967-70. [PMID: 26180359 PMCID: PMC4500022 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.27.1967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of postural angle on back muscle activity
during a computer task in aging women. [Subjects] Seventeen women ≥50 years old
participated. [Methods] The participants were instructed to perform computer-related tasks
for 20 minutes on a workstation that simulated typical office working conditions. Back
posture was measured from the measured trunk and pelvic angles. Electromyography
activities were recorded simultaneously from the cervical erector spinae, longissimus, and
multifidus muscles. [Results] The lowest mean percentages of maximum voluntary contraction
for the cervical erector spinae and longissimus muscles were obtained when the upper trunk
and pelvic angles were between 0° to −5° from the sagittal plane. The back muscle
activities increased as the upper trunk and pelvic angles exceeded 0°. Statistical
analysis showed significant correlations between upper trunk angle and cervical erector
spinae and longissimus muscle activities. Similarly, pelvic angle was significantly
correlated with cervical erector spinae and multifidus muscle activities. [Conclusion] A
neutral back posture minimizes muscle activities in aging women performing computer
tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siti Zawiah Md Dawal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Malaysia
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