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Conventional work posture training tools included pamphlets, one-time training orientation, and/or videos. These tools did not always yield satisfactory training outcomes, and the incident rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders did not substantially lower. In this research, modern augmented reality (AR) technology was leveraged to deliver interactive, holistic, whole-body visual information to convey safe work postures. The developmental procedure followed DMAIC by first defining specifications of training content, which led to the development of the training tool, including 3D reconstruction of a virtual instructor and building of user interface based on user-centered framework. This AR training tool was measured and analyzed through usability evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative data were obtained for cross-validation and usability issue source identification. Findings revealed the utility of 3D reconstruction of a virtual instructor and practicality of adopting conventional usability evaluation method for AR user interface usability evaluation. Feedback from the usability evaluation via questionnaire, think aloud, and post-task open-ended responses are employed to iteratively design the next version of the AR posture training tool.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is characterized by uneven shoulders, spinal curvature, and uneven hips, and asymmetry in paraspinal muscle activities is common in AIS. This pilot study was aimed at examining the use of a surface electromyography (sEMG) biofeedback posture training program in adolescents with mild scoliosis ( Cob b ’ s angle < 30 ° ) to attenuate asymmetry in paraspinal muscle activities and control the curve progression. Seven female adolescents (age, 12–14 years) with mild scoliosis ( Cob b ’ s angle < 30 ° ) were recruited. The participants received 30 tailor-made sessions of sEMG biofeedback posture training at a rate of one to two sessions per week for approximately 6 months. The activities of the paraspinal muscles (the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, thoracic erector spinae, and lumbar erector spinae) measured by sEMG during habitual sitting postures and spinal deformity evaluated by 3D ultrasound imaging were compared before and after training. The mean values of the root-mean-square sEMG ratio, an index of symmetry in paraspinal muscle activities of the muscle pairs between the concave and convex sides of the spinal curve, revealed significant asymmetry over the trapezius and lumbar erector spinae before the training (p p < 0.05 ). In two adolescents, the spinal curvature decreased by 5.7° and 5.6°, respectively, whereas the remaining adolescents showed a minimal curve progression with changes in the spinal curvature controlled under 5°. To conclude, sEMG biofeedback posture training can reduce asymmetry in paraspinal muscle activities and control curve progression in adolescents with mild scoliosis and can potentially be considered an alternative early intervention for muscle reeducation in this cohort.

Background & Objective:Hyper- kyphosis negatively affects health status, physical mobility, and quality of life. Corrective exercise interventions are often utilized to manage subjects with thoracic hyper-hypnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of multimodal spine strengthening exercises (spinal strengthening, spinal alignment and other such exercises for increased spine mobility) and posture training in young individuals with functional thoracic hyper-kyphosis. Materials & Methods:97 young men with hyper-kyphosis abnormality (a kyphosis angle of more than 42 degrees) with a mean age of 23.82±2.96 years, the height of 174.74 ± 7.75 cm, and the weight of 70.36 ± 8.53 kg were selected. The individuals were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Experimental group subjects participated in a 12-week progressive corrective exercise program with postural training that was performed 3 sessions per week for one hour, while the control group subjects underwent daily activities during the same period. The kyphosis angle was measured with a flexible ruler. Data was analyzed by ANCOVA. Results:The findings of the study showed that the multimodal spine strengthening exercise (spinal strengthening, spinal alignment and exercises for increased spine mobility) and postural training had a significant effect on the reduction of the thoracic kyphosis angle in the experimental group (P≤0.05). Conclusion:Corrective exercises along with postural training are recommended for the correction of hyper-kyphosis abnormalities in young adult. Keywords:Kyphosis,Exercise therapy,Postural balance

Bracing treatment is the most commonly recommended treatment for patients with adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) to stabilize the movement of their spine and provide support to the lumbar area. This paper reports a case study of a 55-year-old female patient with ADS who participated in a wear trial with a posture training bracewear. After donning the brace for 2 h, an in-brace x-ray is taken to compare the immediate effects of bracing to determine the pre and post treatment results. Aside from radiographic imaging, the anterior and posterior trunk symmetries are measured on three-dimensional images of the subject taken pre and post treatment and compared, which show that the posture training bracewear can provide immediate reduction of the spinal curvature. Apart from the reduction in spinal curvature, the patient also shows a more symmetric trunk after wearing the brace for 2 h.

Effects of exercises on the back with different speed have been tested by young karatekas' roundhouse kicking and three static exercises. Changing of angles of the kicking- and the holding legs were examined before and after a half-year therapy. 8 karatekas performed four groups, each got a specific strengthening program. Control(1), Classic(2), Classic with constant muscle tone(3), Steady Motion Fitness(4). The 20 week practice twice a week with an individually fitted exercise repetition number. Steady Motion Fitness has come up to expectations in the case of the young karatekas, and proved to be more efficient in improving the required muscles than the other traditional strength training methods.

Background: The effect of spinal orthoses, including the Spinomed® and posture training support (PTS) in improving balance and reducing falls in older people has been previously evaluated. However,...

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Haltungsschwachen im Kindes- und Jugendalter werden mit einer Pravalenz von bis zu 65% angegeben. Zusammenhange zu Beschwerden im Rucken- und Nackenbereich sind bekannt. In der vorliegenden Langzeitstudie sollte uberpruft werden, wie sich ein zielgerichtetes Haltungstraining auf die Korperhaltung auswirkt und inwieweit mogliche positive Effekte vom Adoleszenz- ins Erwachsenenalter ubertragen werden konnen. Material und Methoden Bei 57 haltungsschwachen Jugendlichen wurden uber 6 Jahre jahrlich mehrere Haltungsparameter erhoben. 20 Jugendliche trainierten ab dem Alter von 14 Jahren durchgangig bis zum Alter von 20 Jahren, 24 Jugendliche beendeten das Training mit 18 Jahren, 13 Jugendliche dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Das Haltungstraining fand zweimal wochentlich statt und beinhaltete Kraftausdauer-, Dehnungs- und Korperwahrnehmungsubungen. Die Auswertung erfolgte mittels ANOVA mit Messwertwiederholung, der post hoc - Paarvergleich mittels Scheffe-Test und Bonferroni-Korrektur. Als Signifikanzniveau wurde 0,05 festgelegt. Ergebnisse Die durchgehend trainierende Gruppe zeigte eine signifikante Verbesserung der Haltungsparameter in allen Haltesituationen und zu allen Zeitpunkten. Die ab dem Erwachsenenalter nicht mehr trainierende Gruppe konnte einzelne Verbesserungen, wie die bewusste Aufrichtung der Korperhaltung, beibehalten; in anderen Haltesituationen (habituell, geschlossene Augen) kam es wieder zu einer Verschlechterung der Haltung. Die ermittelten Effektstarken lagen zwischen ƞ 2 = 0,25 und ƞ 2 = 0,49 und kennzeichnen starke Effekte. Die Kontrollgruppe zeigte keine Veranderung. Schlussfolgerungen Ein zielgerichtetes Haltungstraining sollte daher aus medizinisch-praventiver Sicht bereits im Jugendalter begonnen und lebensbegleitend kontinuierlich fortgesetzt werden. Evidenzebene II

Med en ökad användning av digitala enheter i samhället ser vi också att fler drabbas av hållningsrelaterade hälsobekymmer. Ungdomar är särskilt drabbade även om de i många fall är omedvetna om det, men knappt ingen forskning fokuserar på den här målgruppen och deras behov. Den forskning som tagits fram är inte heller överens hur man på bästa sätt löser problematiken med hållning. Syftet med studien är därför att göra ungdomar mer medvetna om sin kroppshållning samt ta reda på hur digital design på bästa sätt kan motivera ungdomar att förbättra sin kroppshållning. För att ta reda på detta ställdes följande fråga: ”Hur kan en digital designlösning utformas för att skapa medvetenhet kring ungdomars kroppshållning, samt hjälpa att förbättra deras kroppshållning på ett underhållande och icke störande sätt?”. Studien genomfördes med metoden Konceptdriven Designforskning som inkluderar skapandet av en konceptuell prototyp förankrad i tidigare forskning. Prototypen består av en bärbar sensor som mäter hållning och en applikation i form av ett spel där användaren kan se sin hållning i realtid samt aktivt träna sin hållning. Prototypen värderades sedan genom en digital enkätundersökning. I resultatet framgick att designlösningen kunde tänkas användas av deltagarna, samt hjälpa att förbättra deras hållning eftersom den gjorde användaren mer medveten om sin kroppshållning. Många deltagare trodde att spelet kunde bidra med motivation och göra hållningsträningen mer underhållande men att fler spel-funktioner krävs för att behålla användarens intresse under en längre tid. Deltagarna ansåg att konceptet i sin helhet inte var störande men att mer tydlig feedback krävs för att indikera bra/dålig hållning. Utifrån detta resultat kan slutsatsen dras att konceptet i teorin kan skapa medvetenhet kring ungdomars kroppshållning och hjälpa de att träna den på ett underhållande sätt som inte är störande, men att mer studier och designarbete krävs för att komma fram till det bästa sättet att ge användaren feedback om sin hållning samt göra konceptet mer attraktivt att använda ur ett långsiktigt perspektiv., With the increased use of digital devices in society, we can see that more people are affected by posture related health issues. Adolescents are especially affected although in many cases they are unaware of it, but hardly any research focuses on this group and their needs. The research that has been done also does not agree on how to best solve the problem with posture. The purpose of this study is therefore to make young people more aware of their posture and to find out how digital design can be used in the best way to motivate young people to improve their posture. To find this out, the following question was formed: “How can a digital design solution be formed to create awareness about young people's posture and help improve their posture in an entertaining and non-disturbing way”. The study was carried out with the method Concept driven design research which includes the creation of a conceptual prototype grounded in previous research. The prototype consists of a portable sensor that measures posture and an application in the form of a game where the user can see their posture in real time and actively train their posture. The prototype was then evaluated through a digital survey. The results showed that the participants could consider using the design solution and that it helped to improve their posture as it made the user more aware of their posture. Many participants thought that the game could contribute with motivation and make posture training more entertaining, but that more gaming features are required to keep the user's interest for a longer period. The participants felt that the concept as a whole was not disruptive, but that more clear feedback is required to indicate good/bad posture. Based on this result, it can be concluded that the concept in theory can create awareness of young people's posture and help them to exercise it in an entertaining way that is not disturbing, but that further studies and design work is needed to come up with the best way to give the user feedback on their posture and to make the concept more attractive to use from a long-term perspective.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a prevalent and chronic condition that gradually leads to the three-dimensional deformity of the spine. Spinal curvature increases in youths as puberty progresses. This chapter aims to provide an introduction on a research project that has developed a tank top equipped with sensors to provide posture training for adolescents with a spinal deformity. The design and development process of the posture training tank-top are subsequently described. The aim of this project is to develop a functional garment which can train posture on a real time basis and track the progress of the training on a regular basis. As a result, this will reduce the future likelihood of spinal curvature progression which may need bracing or surgical treatment.

Men do not carry a handbag to keep the money, so they keep a wallet in their trousers back pocket which over a period of time commonly gives rise to a condition termed as “fat wallet syndrome”. This condition leads to compression of sciatic nerve and involvement of the piriformis muscle. The primary objective to write this article is to discuss the ill effects, create awareness and prevention towards the occurrence of fat wallet syndrome as this condition puts an impact on individual’s mental, social and economic wellbeing

Humans spend on average more than half of their day sitting down. The ill-effects of poor sitting posture and prolonged sitting on physical and mental health have been extensively studied, and solutions for curbing this sedentary epidemic have received special attention in recent years. With the recent advances in sensing technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), sitting posture monitoring and correction is one of the key problems to address for enhancing human well-being using AI. We present the application of a sitting posture training smart cushion called LifeChair that combines a novel pressure sensing technology, a smartphone app interface and machine learning (ML) for real-time sitting posture recognition and seated stretching guidance. We present our experimental design for sitting posture and stretch pose data collection using our posture training system. We achieved an accuracy of 98.93% in detecting more than 13 different sitting postures using a fast and robust supervised learning algorithm. We also establish the importance of taking into account the divergence in user body mass index in posture monitoring. Additionally, we present the first ML-based human stretch pose recognition system for pressure sensor data and show its performance in classifying six common chair-bound stretches.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkyphosis is common among older adults, and is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. A kyphosis-specific exercise and posture training program improves hyperkyphosis, but in-person programs are expensive to implement and maintain over longer-periods of time. It is unknown if a technology-based posture training program disseminated through a smartphone is a feasible or acceptable alternative to in-person training among older adults with hyperkyphosis. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of subject recruitment, short-term retention and adherence, and the acceptability of a technology-based exercise and postural training program disseminated as video clip links and text messaging prompts via a smartphone. The secondary purpose was to explore the potential efficacy of this program on kyphosis, physical function and health-related quality of life in older adults with hyperkyphosis METHODS: This was a 6-week pre-post design pilot trial. We recruited community-dwelling adults ≥65 years with hyperkyphosis ≥40 (±5) degrees and access to a smartphone. The intervention had two parts: 1) exercise and posture training via video clips sent to participants daily via text messaging which included 6 weekly video clip links to be viewed on the participant’s smartphone and 2) text messaging prompts to practice good posture. We determined subject recruitment, adherence, retention and acceptability of the intervention. Outcomes included change in kyphometer-measured kyphosis, occiput to wall (OTW), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Scoliosis Research Society SRS-30, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD) and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). RESULTS: 64 potential participants were recruited, 17 participants were enrolled and 12 completed post-intervention testing at 6-weeks. Average age was 71.6 (SD=4.9) years and 50% were female. Median adherence to daily video viewing was 100%, (range 14 to 100) and to practicing good posture 3 times or more per day was 71%, (range 0 to 100). Qualitative evaluation of acceptability of the intervention revealed the smartphone screen was too small for participants to view the videos well and daily prompts to practice posture were too frequent. Kyphosis, OTW and physical activity significantly improved after the 6-week intervention. Kyphosis decreased by 8 (95% CI: 12, 5) degrees (p

This study analyzes accelerometer patterns from a wearable posture monitoring device worn on the upper back with the purpose of quantifying different postural characteristics. Reliable angular and raw accelerometer inclination data ranges of the human back is then generated in response to different static postures like proper standing, sitting, and proper exercise postures such as plank, superman, squat, side plank, etc. With this study, wearable posture training devices can incorporate accurate data ranges for different uses such as to effectively train users into proper standing, to monitor static postures, to read exercise postures being performed and many more. As the number of sedentary individuals continue to grow and as people's lives become increasingly idle over time, a need for a reliable posture training or monitoring tech arises to help this growing number of individuals minimize, if not eliminate, bad postural habits.

Recent textile innovations have significantly transformed both the material structures of fibers and fabrics as well as their sphere of use and applications.At the same time, new recycling concepts and methods to re-­-use textile waste are rapidly being developed and many new ways to make use of recycled and reclaimed fibers have already been found. In this paper, we describe how the development of a new textile, making use of recycled fibers, sparked the development of Textile Reflexes, a robotic textile that can change shape. This paper elaborates on the development of the new textile material, the multidisciplinary approach we take to advance it towards a robotic textile and our first endeavours to implement it in a health & wellbeing context. Textile Reflexes was applied in a vest that supports posture correction and training that was evaluated in a user study. In this way, the paper demonstrates a material and product design study that bridges disciplines and that links to both environmental and social change.doi: 10.21606/dma.2017.610This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-­NonCommercial-­Share Alike 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-­nc-­sa/4.0/

Postural control is a multidimensional subject that has global interest. The purpose of our research was to examine the effects of the 6-week upright training program on muscular endurance and fatigue. The significance of this study was to determine whether the upright posture trainer improves muscular endurance and decreases fatigue in the erector spinae muscles. Fifty-five college age students age 18-35 were randomized into a control or experimental group. The study protocol included 3 testing sessions: familiarization, pre-testing, and post-testing. The experimental group participated in a 21 session training program ranging from 5 min to 60 min in length, 4-5 days per week. The control group participated in all testing sessions but not the training program. Participants completed the modified Sorensen test with force measurements during all testing sessions. Instrumentation included the wireless bionomadix EMG system by Biopac and the microFET2 wireless digital dynamometer for measuring force output. The dependent variables in this study were muscular endurance and fatigue. Muscular endurance was determined based on the time to reach 20% of the participant’s maximum force, as indicated by the microFET2, during the Sorensen test. Muscular fatigue was analyzed using the median frequency and amplitude from the EMG recording using AcqKnowledge software and the peak force percent change during the Sorensen test. Neither hypothesis was supported. Further research should be done in clinical populations.

Objectives : To understand spatial cause hypothesis of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, the body truncus area was divided into intracranial, thoracic and pelvic cavity and was illustrated, the subjective pain degrees of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were compared with the illustraion of three cavity. Methods : The frontal view of pictures of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia subject truncus area were illustrated into three circles which was treated with conservative methods like the pelvic correction, cervical correction, FCST, posture training without drugs and acupuncture. The spatial analysis of three circle vertical centerlines were compared with the pain degrees. Results : The vertical centerlines of three circles were agreed with the body gravity centerline depending on the treatment progresses. namely, as the parts of truncus were matched to the body gravity centerline, the degrees of pain were decreased. Conclusions : The vascular pressure on the trigeminal nerve which was causing the idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia might be induced by the spatial misalignment of truncus area because the spatial misalignment of it can press to move vascular into trigeminal nerve partially. Further study will be progressed.

Poor posture in childhood and adolescence is held responsible for the occurrence of associated disorders in adult age. This study aimed to verify whether body posture in adolescence can be enhanced through the improvement of neuromuscular performance, attained by means of targeted strength, stretch, and body perception training, and whether any such improvement might also transition into adulthood. From a total of 84 volunteers, the posture development of 67 adolescents was checked annually between the age of 14 and 20 based on index values in three posture situations. 28 adolescents exercised twice a week for about 2 h up to the age of 18, 24 adolescents exercised continually up to the age of 20. Both groups practiced other additional sports for about 1.8 h/week. Fifteen persons served as a non-exercising control group, practicing optional sports of about 1.8 h/week until the age of 18, after that for 0.9 h/week. Group allocation was not random, but depended on the participants’ choice. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the development of posture indexes among the groups and over time and the possible influence of anthropometric parameters (weight, size), of optional athletic activity and of sedentary behavior. The post hoc pairwise comparison was performed applying the Scheffe test. The significance level was set at 0.05. The group that exercised continually (TR20) exhibited a significant posture parameter improvement in all posture situations from the 2nd year of exercising on. The group that terminated their training when reaching adulthood (TR18) retained some improvements, such as conscious straightening of the body posture. In other posture situations (habitual, closed eyes), their posture results declined again from age 18. The effect sizes determined were between Eta² = 0.12 and Eta² = 0.19 and represent moderate to strong effects. The control group did not exhibit any differences. Anthropometric parameters, additional athletic activities and sedentary behavior did not influence the posture parameters significantly. An additional athletic training of 2 h per week including elements for improved body perception seems to have the potential to improve body posture in symptom free male adolescents and young adults.

In this study, 46 female experienced workers and inexperienced novices (23 each) were recruited to determine their maximum lifting strength at 15 exertion heights between 10 and 150 cm from the floor. The results revealed that the experienced workers' strengths at all 15 heights exhibited relatively little fluctuation, and were approximately 50–70 N lower than those of novices when heights were ≤50 cm. No differences in strengths were observed at 60–150 cm between the groups. The experienced workers tended to adopt a consistently deep squat at lower heights (≤50 cm) and a more erect posture with stiffened arms at higher heights (≥70 cm), resulting in lower L4/L5 disc compression forces and shoulder moments than in novices, respectively. In contrast to the lifting techniques adopted by experienced workers to effectively avoid overloading, the findings suggest that novice female workers who lack experience should be cautious and trained for performing lifting tasks. Relevance to industry This study demonstrated that a discrepancy exists in lifting strengths between experienced and inexperienced female handlers at various heights. Findings from this study offers a reference for lifting task design and effective posture training on lifting, regarding the weighting of various shelves.

This study aimed to investigate the application of the healthcare failure mode and effect analysis (HFMEA) to reduce the incidence of posture syndrome of thyroid surgery (PSTS). Subjects before (n = 78, July 2017–December 2017) and after (n = 114, January 2018–June 2018) HFMEA implementation (The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine) were selected. The training for PSTS was optimized using HFMEA. The occurrence of PSTS was reduced from 59% to 18% after HFMEA (P

The essay presents a set of interlinked claims about posture in modern culture. Over the past two centuries it has come to define a wide range of assumptions in the West from what makes human beings human (from Lamarck to Darwin and beyond) to the efficacy of the body in warfare (from Dutch drill manuals in the 17th century to German military medical studies of soldiers in the 19th century). Dance and sport both are forms of posture training in terms of their own claims. Posture separates 'primitive' from 'advanced' peoples and the 'ill' from the 'healthy.' Indeed an entire medical sub-specialty developed in which gymnastics defined and recuperated the body. But all of these claims were also part of a Western attempt to use posture (and the means of altering it) as the litmus test for the healthy modern body of the perfect citizen. Focusing on the centrality of posture in two oddly linked moments of modern thought--modern Zionist thought and Nationalism in early 20th century China--in terms of bodily reform, we show how "posture" brings all of the earlier debates together to reform the body.

Wrist diseases, also known as “mama hand”, “mouse hand” or “keyboard hand”, are commonly seen and easily overlooked symptoms in daily life. The diseases are mostly related to incorrect exercise or excessive force imposed on hands, leading to tenosynovitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. To alleviate the symptoms or even to recover, besides drug treatment, supplementary rehabilitation training is necessary. The rehabilitation process forces the affected wrist area to continually exercise in order to stimulate the self-repair signals sent to the affected area for partial restoration, if not all, of the supposed functions. In modern world, using information technology to improve the rehabilitation environment with better approaches has become a trend. In this study, software programs coded in C# and Flash are developed to work on the Bluetooth ball hardware to facilitate the rehabilitation. The basic principle is to use the reaction from the Bluetooth ball’s swaying or swinging to drive the movement of the objects on the computer screen, making the supposedly boring rehabilitation much more fun and vivid in the interactive multimedia environment, thus gaining better treatment effect. Also, RFID, Internet and databases can be integrated into this facility to provide patient identification and data storage for references in making rehabilitation training programs.

This paper contributes to the literature on the phenomenon termed mHealth through a critical examination of wearable posture-tracking technologies. The paper specifically reports on a qualitative document analysis of promotional materials for three devices, carried out with the aim of assessing their mode of operation, the logic underpinning their development and their purported benefits for users. Findings initially highlight how Lumo Lift and Lumo Back, made by the company Lumo Bodytech Inc., and Prana, made by Prana Tech LLC, are designed to enable haptic surveillance and discipline whereby the body is monitored and ‘reprimanded’ through the touch. These forms of interactive posture training are underpinned by scientific insight from fields such as biomechanics and by data science on consumer posture habits. In turn, the benefits for those engaging with commercial posture-tracking devices are said to include, unsurprisingly, better posture, but also a less tangible form of ‘optimised’ living. With these findings in mind, it is argued that the arrival of interactive posture technologies has two main implications. In one sense, whereas good posture has historically been imagined as a dividing line between ‘civilized’ humans and ‘uncivilized’ others, devices such as Lumo Lift make posture into a matter of posthuman optimisation: humans and non-humans are enfolded in the pursuit of self-betterment. In another sense, posture technologies are important in emboldening the wider mHealth phenomenon, privileging as they do the idea that commercial technologies are now allies and not foes when it comes to improving health.

Cervicogenic angina is paroxysmal precordialgia usually due to lower cervical vertebral involvement. But upper cervical vertebral segmental anomaly causing cervicogenic angina is rare. Herein, we report a case of cervicogenic angina due to fused 3 rd and 4 th cervical vertebra in a 37-year female, which was initially misdiagnosed as angina and treated likewise. But, persistence of symptoms led to evaluation of her cervical spine and subsequent diagnosis. Cervical traction, physiotherapy and posture training relieved her of her symptoms with no recurrence till 6 months of follow-up. Fused C3-C4 can be a cause of precordialgia and physicians should be aware of it.

This work proposes to show the experience of posture training accomplished in the Paraíba State Telecommunication Company, using the knowledge of the Back School. The sample was composed of 12 operators, employees of the company, representing 31% of this population. The model applied in TELPA (Paraíba Telecommunication Company, Brazil) was based on the models of Sherbrooke, Canada, and of the School of Posture of Paraìba Federal University. Fifty-eight point four percent of participants showed a reduction of column pain, 25% improved the quality of the rest and the received training was considered enough for the learning of correct postures at work in 75% of the cases. The whole population approved of the training, and 83.3% of the cases considered that this training influenced their lives very positively.

Many practitioners have found that posture training has a positive impact on temporomandibular, or TMD, symptoms. The authors conducted a study to evaluate its effectiveness.Sixty patients with TMD and a primary muscle disorder were randomized into two groups: one group received posture training and TMD self-management instructions while the control group received TMD self-management instructions only. Four weeks after the study began, the authors reexamined the subjects for changes in symptoms, pain-free opening and pressure algometer pain thresholds. In addition, pretreatment and posttreatment posture measurements were recorded for subjects in the treatment group.Statistically significant improvement was demonstrated by the modified symptom severity index, maximum pain-free opening and pressure algometer threshold measurements, as well as by the subjects' perceived TMD and neck symptoms. Subjects in the treatment group reported having experienced a mean reduction in TMD and neck symptoms of 41.9 and 38.2 percent, respectively, while subjects in the control group reported a mean reduction in these symptoms of 8.1 and 9.3 percent. Within the treatment group, the authors found significant correlations between improvements in TMD symptoms and improvements in neck symptoms (P.005) as well as between TMD symptom improvement and the difference between head and shoulder posture measurements at the outset of treatment (P.05).Posture training and TMD self-management instructions are significantly more effective than TMD self-management instructions alone for patients with TMD who have a primary muscle disorder.Patients with TMD who hold their heads farther forward relative to the shoulders have a high probability of experiencing symptom improvement as a result of posture training and being provided with selfmanagement instructions.

Objectives.To determine the effect of weighted kypho-orthosis (WKO) on improving balance in women with osteoporosis. In this nonrandomized controlled clinical trial, 31 patients with osteoporosis were included. The patients were assigned to two groups: (1) control group who received 4-week home-based daily exercise program including weight bearing, back strengthening, and balance exercises and (2) intervention group (WKO) who performed aforementioned exercises and wore WKO for one hour twice a day. Patients were assessed using clinical balance tests (timed up and go test, functional reach test, and unilateral balance test) before and 4 weeks after start of treatment.Results.Functional reach and timed up and go test were improved significantly in both groups compared to baseline. The improvement in intervention group was more significant in comparison to control group (P<0.05).Discussion.Posture training with WKO together with exercise program improved two clinical balance tests in women with osteoporosis.Conclusion.Posture training support (PTS) applied as WKO together with back extension exercises can be prescribed as an intervention in elderly women in order to reduce the risk of falling.

Our posture affects us in a number of surprising and unexpected ways, by influencing how we handle stress and how confident we feel. But it is difficult for people to main good posture. We present a non-invasive posture training system using an Xbox Kinect sensor. We provide real-time visual feedback at two levels of fidelity.

A posture training paradigm with visual biofeedback is presented for physical rehabilitation following posture disorders (e.g. Pusher Syndrome). The objectives of the current study were: to calculate centre of pressure (CoP) using Wii balance board, to calculate centre of mass (CoM) using Microsoft Kinect sensor, and conceptual design of visual postural-feedback paradigm so that the user can improve functional reach tasks. The algorithm for calculating the posture based on the line connecting CoP-CoM (i.e. the lean-line), which was validated offline with a convenient sampling of 10 elderly (>50 years) subjects, where the maximum angle of the lean-line (with horizontal, i.e. the lean-angle) was compared with the Berg Balance Score - a widely used measure to predict risk of falls in elderly - during maximum forward, sideways, and backward lean. Since both the CoP and CoM moved during the task, the line joining CoP-CoM was indicative of the posture. A high correlation was found between the maximum lean-angle and the Berg Balance Score, and therefore it was proposed as a viable biofeedback for posture training.

Objective: The study was conducted to facilitate erect posturing in patients with neurodegenerative disorders through use of the Posture Training Support [PTS]. Methods: PTS was applied posteriorlyin subjects with a tendency to lean forward and anteriorly in patients with a tendency to fall backward. The subjects were then questioned on long-term follow-up to determine whether they were still using the PTS and whether they found it helpful in terms of gait and activities of daily living [ADLs]. Results: All of the patients, except for one, reported an improvement in gait and ADLs. Conclusions: The PTS may help improve gait and ADLs in patients with certain neurodegenerative disorders.

Improving employees' posture may decrease the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The current paper is a systematic replication and extension of Sigurdsson and Austin (2008), who found that an intervention consisting of information, real-time feedback, and self-monitoring improved participant posture at mock workstations. In the current study, participants worked in an applied setting, and posture data were collected at participants' own workstations and a mock workstation. Intervention in the mock setting was associated with consistent improvement in safe posture at the mock workstation, but generalization to the actual workstation was limited.