Search

Background: Prolonged use of the smartphone causes neck and shoulder pain. However, no study has yet evaluated the effects of sitting upright, combined with frequent breaks, eye rest and self-stretching on pain and EMG during smartphone use., Objectives: The purpose of the study was to compare pain and muscle activity between the control group (rest only) and the intervention group (rest combined with correct posture, eye rest and self-stretching) in smartphone use for 41.30 minutes., Method: Forty-four healthy females aged 18-25 years old were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. The body pain chart and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate pain. Electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity of Cervical Erector Spinae (CES) and Upper Trapezius (UT) muscles., Results: The results showed that overall pain and neck pain in the control group increased significantly after smartphone use for 20 min and continually increased to 41.30 minutes (p < 0.05). Overall pain and neck pain in the intervention group was significantly lesser than control group after smartphone use for 41.30 minutes (p < 0.05). In the control group, EMG of CES at 41.30 minute was significantly higher than that of at 0 min (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in EMG of UT between the two groups., Conclusion: Conclusion smartphone user in the interventional group reported less pain when compared to control group after Smartphone use for 41.30 minutes. Therefore, the user aged 18-25 years should have a rest combined with correct posture, eye rest and self-stretching to prevent neck pain during prolonged smartphone use.

Background: We aim to provide sagittal and pelvic parameters according to different age groups in an asymptomatic population all over 30 years old and to investigate the possible causes of changes in these parameters., Methods: Whole-spine, standing lateral radiographs were taken in 128 asymptomatic Korean people over 30 years old. The spinal parameters (the total thoracic kyphosis (TTK), maximal lumbar lordosis (MLL), total lumbar lordosis (TLL), lower lumbar lordosis (LLL), thoracolumbar junctional angle (TLJA), and lumbar inclination (LI)), pelvic parameters (pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic tilt (PT)), and spinal balance parameters (spinal balance, sacropelvic balance, and spinopelvic balance) were measured. The body mass index, body protein mass, waist line, skeletal muscle mass, and body fat mass were also measured for potential causes., Results: TTK and TLJA were significantly increased in the group over 70 years of age compared to the other age groups (p = 0.0002, <0.001). TLL was significantly decreased in the group over 70 years of age (p = 0.002), whereas the PI values were similar to PI even in over 70-year age group. LLL did not differ in the group over 70 years of age (p = 0.29), gradually increasing with an increase in age. SS was significantly decreased and PT was significantly increased in the group over 70 years of age as compared to the other age groups (p = 0.049, 0.049, respectively). PI was similar in all age groups (p = 0.75). Spinal balance was significantly decreased in the group over 70 years of age (p = <0.0001). PT was significantly associated with body protein mass and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.01, 0.001, respectively). Body protein mass and skeletal muscle mass were significantly lower in the group over 70 years of age (p = 0.02, 0.02) and were possible causes., Conclusions: Several sagittal and pelvic parameters are different in asymptomatic adults over 70 years of age. Decreased body protein mass and skeletal muscle mass are possible causes of these changes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the whole spine alignment in automotive seated postures for both genders and the effects of the spinal alignment patterns on cervical vertebral motion in rear impact using a human finite element (FE) model., Methods: Image data for 8 female and 7 male subjects in a seated posture acquired by an upright open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system were utilized. Spinal alignment was determined from the centers of the vertebrae and average spinal alignment patterns for both genders were estimated by multidimensional scaling (MDS). An occupant FE model of female average size (162 cm, 62 kg; the AF 50 size model) was developed by scaling THUMS AF 05. The average spinal alignment pattern for females was implemented in the model, and model validation was made with respect to female volunteer sled test data from rear end impacts. Thereafter, the average spinal alignment pattern for males and representative spinal alignments for all subjects were implemented in the validated female model, and additional FE simulations of the sled test were conducted to investigate effects of spinal alignment patterns on cervical vertebral motion., Results: The estimated average spinal alignment pattern was slight kyphotic, or almost straight cervical and less-kyphotic thoracic spine for the females and lordotic cervical and more pronounced kyphotic thoracic spine for the males. The AF 50 size model with the female average spinal alignment exhibited spine straightening from upper thoracic vertebra level and showed larger intervertebral angular displacements in the cervical spine than the one with the male average spinal alignment., Conclusions: The cervical spine alignment is continuous with the thoracic spine, and a trend of the relationship between cervical spine and thoracic spinal alignment was shown in this study. Simulation results suggested that variations in thoracic spinal alignment had a potential impact on cervical spine motion as well as cervical spinal alignment in rear end impact condition.

Purpose: Our study aims to describe the postural alignment of young asymptomatic subjects from head to feet from bi-planar standing full-body X-rays, providing database to compare to aging adults. Novelty resides in the inclusion of the head and lower limbs in the erected posture's analysis., Methods: For 69 young asymptomatic subjects (18-40 years old) 3D reconstructions of the head, spine, pelvis and lower limbs segments were performed from bi-planar full-body X-rays. Usual studied spinal, pelvic and lower limbs' parameters were computed in 3D, sagittal and frontal planes of the patient. Relationships between these parameters were investigated. Inclinations of different lines were studied to characterize the erected posture., Results: Values found for spinal curvatures, pelvic parameters and lower limbs geometrical parameters agreed with the literature: thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt and sagittal vertical axis were respectively in average of 26.9° (SD 7.2°), 30.5° (SD 7.5°), 51.0° (SD 9.4°), 11.1° (SD 5.6°) and -8.9 mm (SD 21.6 mm). The angle between the vertical and the line joining the most superior point of dentiform apophyse of C2 (OD) and the center of the bi-coxofemoral axis (HA) was the less variable one (SD 1.6°)., Conclusions: This study on 3D postural alignment reports the geometry of the spine, pelvis and lower limbs, of the young asymptomatic adult. The less variable angle is the one of the line OD-HA with the vertical, highlighting the vertical alignment of the head above the pelvis. This study provides a basis for future comparisons when investigating aging populations.

Background: Spinal alignment evaluation is commonly performed in the clinical setting during rehabilitation. However, there is no simple method for its quantitative measurement. Recently, the depth cameras in Kinect sensors have been employed in various commercial and research projects in the healthcare field. We hypothesized that the time-of-flight technology of the Kinect sensor could be applied to quantitatively evaluate spinal alignment. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple and noninvasive evaluation for spinal alignment using the Kinect sensor and to investigate its validity. Methods: Twenty-four healthy men participated in the study. Measurement outcomes were the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles in the standing position, using a Spinal Mouse, the validity of which has been previously reported, and the Kinect sensor. In the measurement by the Kinect sensor, a program was created to obtain the three-dimensional coordinates of each point within an area marked on the monitor, and the sums of the angles at each vertebral level were calculated for the thoracic and lumbar areas. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the Kinect sensor and Spinal Mouse measurements of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles. Results: There was a significant positive and moderate correlation between the thoracic kyphosis measurements taken by each device. Contrarily, there was no significant correlation in the lordosis angle between measurements using the Kinect sensor and Spinal Mouse. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the validity of measuring the thoracic kyphosis angle using the Kinect sensor. This indicates that the depth camera in the Kinect sensor is able to perform accurate thoracic alignment measurements quickly and noninvasively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor posture (thoracic hyperkyphosis) in children is reportedly caused by changes in their living environment. A previous study (conducted 30 years ago) reported that the position of the center of pressure (COP) in a child with an upright posture was approximately 40% from the heel. The present study aimed to determine the position and characteristics of the COP while standing in children aged 6–12 years. This study enrolled 83 elementary school students. A Win-Pod (Medicapteurs) platform was used to measure the COP. The COP position was expressed as a percentage from the heel as a relative ratio with a foot length of 100%. Spinal Mouse® was used to measure thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sacral anteversion, and trunk inclination angles in the standing position. The COP position was 30.3±8.9% from the heel. We found positive correlations between the COP position, height, and weight. Further, the COP position was significantly more anterior in 28 upper elementary grade children (35.1 ± 9.2%) than in 25 middle (29.5 ± 8.6%) and 30 lower grade children (26.5 ± 6.7%). Regarding sex differences, the COP position was significantly more anterior in 46 boys (32.3 ± 9.8%) than in 37 girls (27.9 ± 6.9%). There was a weak positive correlation between the COP position and trunk inclination angle (r=0.251, p<0.05). Thus, we found that the COP position in modern children aged 6–12 years while standing was 30.3 ± 8.9% from the heel, indicating a shift toward the heel (backward) compared to that reported in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of OPUS - International Journal of Society Researches is the property of OPUS - International Journal of Society Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: 26 healthy swimmers randomly assigned to an exercise (n = 13; Ex) or control group (n = 13; Cont). Intervention: The Ex group performed respiratory-muscle exercises for 10 min thrice a week for 4 wk. Context: Respiratory-muscle exercises are used not only in the rehabilitation of patients with respiratory disease but also in endurance training for athletes. Respiration involves the back and abdominal muscles. These muscles are 1 of the elements responsible for posture control, which is integral to injury prevention and physical performance. However, the effects of respiratory-muscle exercise on posture remain unclear. Objective: To examine the potential of respiratory-muscle exercise for improving posture. Main Outcome Measures: Spinal curvature, pulmonary function, and trunk-muscle strength were measured for both the groups at baseline and after 4 wk. The data were compared between the Ex and Cont groups with Mann-Whitney U test and preintervention and postintervention within groups with a Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. Results and Conclusion: The spinal curvature was significantly different in the Ex group, indicating a decrease in the thoracic (-13.1%, P < .01) and lumbar (-17.7%, P < .05) angles. The Ex group presented with lower thoracic (-8.6%) and lumbar (-20.9%) angles at postexercise than the Cont group (P < .05). With respect to trunk-muscle strength, only trunk-flexion strength significantly increased from pretest to posttest in the Ex group (P < .05). For pulmonary function, forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1.0 s were significantly increased after 4 wk in the Ex group (P < .05). The results suggest that respiratory-muscle exercise straightened the spine, leading to good posture control, possibly because of contraction of abdominal muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The significance of the relationship between the spine and hip joints has been frequently discussed. However, the relationship between acetabular coverage and spinal sagittal alignment has not been fully elucidated as previous studies did not adequately control for factors that might affect the spinopelvic alignment. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of acetabular coverage on spinal sagittal alignment by comparing patient groups matched on sex, age, and the presence of hip and anterior impingement pain.Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 30 women undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and 30 women undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery (HAS) for labral tears. The lateral centre edge angle was measured on hip radiographs. In addition, the sagittal vertical axis, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, sacral slope (SS), and lumbar lordosis (LL) were measured on preoperative plain radiographs of the whole spine to assess the sagittal spinal alignment. Clinical and radiologic data were compared between the two groups (PAO vs. HAS).Results: The patient groups did not differ in age and body mass index. The mean SS was significantly greater in the PAO group (41.6° ± 1.6°) than in the HAS group (35.3° ± 1.5°; P = 0.0039). Additionally, the mean LL was significantly greater in the PAO group (54.5° ± 2.0°) than in the HAS group (45.1° ± 1.9°; P = 0.0015).Conclusions: The SS and LL were greater in patients with DDH than in patients with hip pain, but without DDH. Patients with DDH might show lumbar hyperlordosis to rotate the pelvis anteriorly, increasing the anterosuperior acetabular coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Lumbar lordosis (LL) is a key adaptation for bipedalism, but factors underlying curvature variations remain unclear. This study tests three biomechanical models to explain LL variability. Materials and methods Thirty adults (15 male, 15 female) were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a standing posture analysis was conducted, and lumbar range of motion (ROM) was assessed. Three measures of LL were compared. The trunk's center of mass was estimated from external markers to calculate hip moments (Mhip) and lumbar flexion moments. Cross-sectional areas of lumbar vertebral bodies and trunk muscles were measured from scans. Regression models tested associations between LL and the Mhip moment arm, a beam bending model, and an interaction between relative trunk strength (RTS) and ROM. Results Hip moments were not associated with LL. Beam bending was moderately predictive of standing but not supine LL (R2 = 0.25). Stronger backs and increased ROM were associated with greater LL, especially when standing (R2 = 0.65). The strength-flexibility model demonstrates the differential influence of RTS depending on ROM: individuals with high ROM exhibited the most LL variation with RTS, while those with low ROM showed reduced LL regardless of RTS. Discussion Hip moments appear constrained suggesting the possibility of selection, and the beam model explains some LL variability due to variations in trunk geometry. The strength-flexibility interaction best predicted LL, suggesting a tradeoff in which ROM limits the effects of back strength on LL. The strength-flexibility model may have clinical relevance for spinal alignment and pathology. This model may also suggest that straight-backed Neanderthals had reduced lumbar mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The most frequent manner of attending childbirth imposes on midwives assuming poor body position affecting the musculoskeletal system. Long professional experience does not mitigate the negative effects. The adopted movement habit, as well as the type, number and frequency of actions influence the body posture. The aim of the study was to identify ergonomic threats of basic occupational midwives activities and how particular spinal segments arrangements while attending childbirth using the same technique in senior midwives differ from those of junior ones. It was also checked whether pain influences the working position assumed by midwives. Materials and Methods: Examinations were conducted in 95 midwives aged 21-50 (X = 29.25±9.34): 51 graduates of BSc midwifery who worked 680 h in delivery rooms during obligatory practical classes and apprenticeship and 44 senior midwives with professional experience of 7-27 years (X = 14.84±5.98). The study was threefold. The spinal alignment while performing work activities associated with attending childbirth was assessed using the OWAS system and the SonoSens Monitor, the center of gravity projection on basal plane - using the AccuGait AMTI stabilometric platform. The measurements were taken during a simulation of attending childbirth (on examination model). A survey was conducted aimed at identifying spinal pain. Results: Midwives' working postures require unnatural body alignments. Postural instability in the working position and no maximal usage of basal plane were observed. The work overload may afflict the musculoskeletal system, which was confirmed by different pain discomforts in 67.3% of the examinees. Conclusions: Spinal alignment while attending childbirth is individually differentiated and in every case non-ergonomic. Identifying explicitly spinal overloads is difficult, but the most prevalent ones affect lumbar and cervical regions altogether. Spinal pain is frequently noted, both in junior and senior midwives, and is characteristic for midwives working in maximal movement ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper body support plays an import role in the recuperation of our body during sleep. Therefore, this study uses an automatically adapting bedding system that optimises spinal alignment throughout the night by altering the stiffness of eight comfort zones. The aim is to investigate the influence of such a dynamic sleep environment on objective and subjective sleep parameters. The bedding system contains 165 sensors that measure mattress indentation. It also includes eight actuators that control the comfort zones. Based on the measured mattress indentation, body movements and posture changes are detected. Control of spinal alignment is established by fitting personalized human models in the measured indentation. A total of 11 normal sleepers participated in this study. Sleep experiments were performed in a sleep laboratory where subjects slept three nights: a first night for adaptation, a reference night and an active support night (in counterbalanced order). Polysomnographic measurements were recorded during the nights, combined with questionnaires aiming at assessing subjective information. Subjective information on sleep quality, daytime quality and perceived number of awakenings shows significant improvements during the active support (ACS) night. Objective results showed a trend towards increased slow wave sleep. On the other hand, it was noticed that % N1-sleep was significantly increased during ACS night, while % N2-sleep was significantly decreased. No prolonged N1 periods were found during or immediately after steering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper explains how the shape of the spine can be evaluated from back surface measurements in a recumbent position, by using point distribution models (PDM) and typical shape variability of the spine in a lateral sleeping position. CT-scans of 12 volunteers were taken in this posture on a firm and a soft sleeping system to provide a training set for the PDM. Active shape models (ASM) were used to enhance the accuracy of the spinal reconstruction from measurements by limiting the shape of the spine to characteristic shapes from a biomechanical and/or clinical point of view. A comparison was made between calculated shapes, obtained from surface measurements, and those measured vertebral body centres (from CT-scans). An RMS accuracy of 2.6mm was obtained in 3D, and 1.8mm in frontal view, which was sufficient to compare spinal deformations of a subject on different sleeping systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study explores the hypothesis that a high degree of sustained muscle activity associated with a sub-optimal spinal orientation may compromise an individual's ability to relax or initiate sleep. Data from 22 participants who were considered to be part of a normal, back-pain-free population were used in these studies. Participants laid down on a mattress in a foetal position (i.e. on their sides) at three varying bed pressures while EMG activities, heart rates, blood pressures, subjective comfort levels and spinal alignment data were recorded. Minor effects of mattress inflation pressures were associated with changes in EMG activity, heart rate, blood pressure and/or subjective comfort. In contrast, spinal alignment assessment revealed significant differences between the three different inflation pressures studied (827.4, 2413.2 and 3999.0 Pa). It was concluded that in a population of normal participants, although mattress inflation pressure induced significant changes in spinal alignment, these changes were of little physiological consequence. Nevertheless, this data provides baseline information needed to assess similar correlations in a symptomatic population (e.g. those with either acute or chronic neck or back pain). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to conduct a radiological analysis of posture before and after lumbosacral fusion to evaluate the influence of spinal alignment on the occurrence and pattern of post surgical pain. The study included 81 patients, of whom 51 had a history of previous low back surgery. We excluded patients with suspected or confirmed nonunion. In the fusion group, the ¶27 patients who were pain free after the procedure were compared to the 54 patients with residual pain. Thirty patients had pain only or primarily when they were standing immobile, 18 when they were sitting immobile, and six in both positions. Measurements were done on full-length lateral radiographs of the spine, with the patient standing according to Duval Beaupère criteria. The subgroup with postfusion pain was characterized at baseline by a more vertical sacrum with less sacral tilt (ST) ¶(P < 0.0062) and more pelvic tilt (PT) (P < 0.0160). PT at last follow-up (PT fu) correlated with the presence of postfusion pain (NP: P = 0.0003). In the patients with postfusion pain, PT was almost twice the normal value. ST at last follow-up (ST fu) in the standing position was also correlated with the presence of postfusion pain (P < 0.0001) indicating that the sacrum remained ¶abnormally vertical in the subjects with postfusion pain. Using logistic regression, the only prognostic factor for residual pain at last follow-up was ST fu. Both at pre-operative evaluation and at last follow-up, patients with pain in the standing position or in both the standing and sitting positions were characterized at pre-operative status by a more vertical sacrum with less sacral tilt. The results of this study indicate that, achieving a strong fusion should not be the only goal. Appropriate position of the fused vertebrae is also of paramount importance to minimize muscle work during posture maintenance. The main risk is failing to correct or to causing excessive pelvic retroversion with a vertical sacrum leading to a sagittal alignment that replicates the sitting position. This situation is often accompanied by loss of lumbar lordosis and adversely affects stiff or degenerative hips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]