The effect of spine discomfort on the overall postural (dis)comfort

• Published in: Applied ergonomics 2019-01, Vol.74, p.194-205
• Main Authors: Naddeo, Alessandro, Califano, Rosaria, Vallone, Mariarosaria, Cicalese, Arianna, Coccaro, Chiara, Marcone, Federica, Shullazi, Ervis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Back Pain - psychology; Beverages; Comfort evaluation; Commerce - instrumentation; Consumer Behavior; Equipment Design - psychology; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Information fusion; Male; Man-Machine Systems; Non-invasive postural analysis; Posture; Snacks; Spine; Spine discomfort; Students - psychology; Vending machines; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.08.025

Currently, the word ‘comfort’ is often used in relation to the marketing of products such as chairs, cars interiors, clothing, hand tools and even airplane tickets. In this field of research, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of spinal posture on postural (dis)comfort perception; the test case is the analysis of the interaction between humans and vending machines for purchasing food or beverages. A statistical sample of 20 healthy students (subjects) performed the required tests, with each participant asked to take a product from three different vending machines (snacks, drinks and coffee). The subjects' postures were acquired non-invasively using cameras; software and instruments for virtual prototyping were used for posture analysis and interaction modelling, both questionnaires (subjective) and comfort-analysis software (objective) were used to rate the perceived (dis)comfort. The results obtained from simulations and questionnaires were compared, and a method to weigh the effect of the perceived spinal discomfort on overall postural (dis)comfort was proposed. These results reveal a good correlation between subjective perception and objective evaluation obtained through simulations, confirming the validity of the proposed method. •The effect of spine discomfort on the overall (dis)comfort has been investigated.•A method for weighing the effects of both posture and spine configuration on (dis)comfort has been proposed.•A cheap and easy method for posture acquisition that does not affect the comfort perception, has been used.•Statistical correlations among the analysed parameters/factors have been found.•Developed methods have been used for performing a comfort-driven improvement of a vending machine.