Analysis of a customized cervical collar to improve neck posture during smartphone usage: a comparative study in healthy subjects

Purpose A slouching posture during smartphone usage increases gravitational loadings on the cervical spine, which may lead to neck pain and degeneration. The objective of the present study was to investigate the head, neck and trunk angles in different smartphone-usage postures, as well as the postu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European spine journal 2019-08, Vol.28 (8), p.1793-1803
Main Authors: Kuo, Yuh-Ruey, Fang, Jing-Jing, Wu, Chi-Tse, Lin, Ruey-Mo, Su, Pei-Fang, Lin, Cheng-Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Collars
Degeneration
Gravity
Head and neck
Knee
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neck
Neurosurgery
Original Article
Pain
Posture
Smartphones
Spine (cervical)
Surgical Orthopedics
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Summary:Purpose A slouching posture during smartphone usage increases gravitational loadings on the cervical spine, which may lead to neck pain and degeneration. The objective of the present study was to investigate the head, neck and trunk angles in different smartphone-usage postures, as well as the posture-correction effects and comfort scores of three neck collars. Methods This was a prospective cohort study in which 41 healthy young subjects aged 18–25 were recruited. The head, neck and trunk angles were measured in all participants during a neutral position and three smartphone-using postures, including sitting with and without back support and standing. The postural correction and comfort scores of three collars (Aspen Vista, Sport-aid and our customized 3D printed collars) were compared. Results Smartphone use increased the head and neck flexion angles in all postures, and sitting without back support showed the greatest head and neck flexion angles. The posture-correcting effect of the customized collar was better than the Aspen Vista and Sport-aid collars. In addition, the customized collar was more comfortable to wear than the other two collars in most contact areas. Conclusion Smartphone use increased both the head and neck flexion in different postures, and the proposed customized 3D-printed cervical collar significantly reduced the head and neck angles. Graphical abstract These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
ISSN:0940-6719
1432-0932
DOI:10.1007/s00586-019-06022-0