Physical Therapy Korea (한국전문물리치료학회지)

Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy (한국전문물리치료학회)
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Effects of a Posture Correction Feedback System on Upper Body Posture, Muscle Activity, and Fatigue During Computer Typing

  • Subin Kim (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University) ;
  • Chunghwi Yi (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University) ;
  • Seohyun Kim (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University) ;
  • Gyuhyun Han (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University) ;
  • Onebin Lim (Department of Physical Therapy, Mokpo Science University)
  • Received : 2023.07.28
  • Accepted : 2023.08.11
  • Published : 2023.08.20
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Abstract

Background: In modern society, the use of computers accounts for a large proportion of our daily lives. Although substantial research is being actively conducted on musculoskeletal diseases resulting from computer use, there has been a recent surge in interest in improving the working environment for prevention. Objects: This study aimed to examine the effects of posture correction feedback (PCF) on changes in neck posture and muscle activation during computer typing. Methods: The participants performed a computer typing task in two sessions, each lasting 16 minutes. The participant's dominant side was photographed and analyzed using ImageJ software to verify neck posture. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to confirm the participant's cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius muscle activities. The EMG signal was analyzed using the percentage of reference voluntary contraction and amplitude probability distribution function (APDF). In the second session, visual and auditory feedback for posture correction was provided if the neck was flexed by more than 15° in the initial position during computer typing. A 20-minute rest period was provided between the two sessions. Results: The neck angle (p = 0.014), CES muscle activity (p = 0.008), and APDF (p = 0.015) showed significant differences depending on the presence of the PCF. Furthermore, significant differences were observed regarding the CES muscle activity (p = 0.001) and APDF (p = 0.002) over time. Conclusion: Our study showed that the feedback system can correct poor posture and reduces unnecessary muscle activation during computer work. The improved neck posture and reduced CES muscle activity observed in this study suggest that neck pain can be prevented. Based on these results, we suggest that the PCF system can be used to prevent neck pain.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported in part by the Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project, Korean Research Foundation for the Department of Physical Therapy in the Graduate School of Yonsei University (grant number 2021-51-0151); and Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Education (grant number 2021R1F1A104792912).

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