The interaction effect of posture and psychological stress on neck-shoulder muscle activity in typing: A pilot study

  • Wei Ying Chou*
  • , Bi Hui Chen
  • , Wen Ko Chiou
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among computer users, especially involving the neck and shoulder region. Previous studies showed subjects with neck pain had altered muscle recruitment patterns that persisted throughout the sustained computing task. Moreover, some studies reported that working posture and psychological stress also influence muscle recruitment. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the interaction effect of working posture and psychological stress on muscle activity. Fourteen subjects (7 neck pain subjects and 7 healthy subjects) were recruited in this study. This study designated two working postures (upright sitting posture/ backward sitting posture) and two levels of psychological stress (standard typing task/ stressful typing task), and used surface EMG to collect the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and cervical erector spinae during a10-min typing process. Results showed psychological stress trends to increase the muscle activity, while a backward sitting posture trends to decrease muscle activity. Considering the busy and stressful life in modern lifestyle, this study suggests subjects with neck pain should maintain a backward sitting posture during computer use.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationErgonomics and Health Aspects of Work with Computers - International Conference, EHAWC 2011, Held as Part of HCI International 2011, Proceedings
Pages22-29
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
EventInternational Conference on Ergonomics and Health Aspects of Work with Computers, EHAWC 2011, Held as Part of HCI International 2011 - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: 09 07 201114 07 2011

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume6779 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Ergonomics and Health Aspects of Work with Computers, EHAWC 2011, Held as Part of HCI International 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period09/07/1114/07/11

Keywords

  • EMG
  • Neck pain
  • Psychological stress
  • Typing task
  • Working posture

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