Effects of using a document holder when typing on head excursion and neck muscle activity among computer users with and without neck pain

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of using a document holder while typing on head excursion and neck muscle activity among computer users with and without neck pain. Method. An experimental study including 52 individuals with (n = 26) and without (n = 26) neck pain was conducted. Head excursion and neck muscle activity were measured using an accelerometer and surface electromyography, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance was conducted to examine the effects of using a document holder between computer users with and without neck pain. Results. The results demonstrated a decrease in head excursion (p < 0.001) and muscle activity of both the right and left upper trapezius and the left lower trapezius and right anterior deltoid (p < 0.05) with the use of a document holder. Computer users with neck pain had significantly (p < 0.001) higher right lower trapezius muscle activity compared to the group without neck pain. Conclusion. The results of the study supported the use of a document holder to assist in decreasing head excursion and neck muscle activity. The use of a document holder while typing may be beneficial in preventing repetitive strain injuries among computer users.

Keywords:

• Computer users
• neck pain
• muscle activity
• head excursion
• triaxial accelerometer
• electromyography

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mr Christopher C.W Fong for proof-reading and providing English language correction of this manuscript, and Dr Leonard Joseph Henry for his assistance in the design and implementation of the study. The study received ethical approval from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institutional Ethics Committee with ethical code UKM 1.5.3.5/244/NN-059-2014.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Ambusam Subramaniam http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5745-4084

Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6551-0437