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Active biofeedback changes the spatial distribution of upper trapezius muscle activity during computer work.

Afshin Samani1, Andreas Holtermann, Karen Søgaard

  • 1Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg East, Denmark.

European Journal of Applied Physiology
|June 1, 2010
PubMed
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Advanced biofeedback with active pauses during computer work promotes more heterogeneous trapezius muscle coordination. This uneven muscle load distribution may offer benefits for reducing strain and improving ergonomics.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Ergonomics

Background:

  • Computer work often leads to trapezius muscle strain due to sustained activity.
  • Biofeedback interventions aim to modulate muscle activity patterns for ergonomic benefits.
  • Understanding spatio-temporal muscle activation is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spatio-temporal effects of active and passive biofeedback pauses on trapezius muscle activity during computer work.
  • To quantify changes in muscle activation patterns using high-density surface electromyography (HD-EMG).
  • To explore the potential benefits of superimposed muscle contractions for ergonomic load distribution.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized high-density surface electromyography (HD-EMG) with a 5x13 multichannel electrode grid on the upper trapezius.

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  • Subjects performed computer work with either active (30% MVC) or passive (rest) biofeedback pauses, or a control session (no feedback).
  • Analyzed spatio-temporal muscle activity using root mean square (RMS), relative rest time (RRT), and permuted sample entropy (PeSaEn), quantifying changes via center of gravity (CoG) and map entropy.

    • Main Results:

    • Active pauses led to decreased temporal heterogeneity (more homogenous activation pattern) indicated by reduced PeSaEn.
    • The center of gravity of relative rest time maps shifted caudally, and RMS map entropy increased, suggesting more spatial heterogeneity.
    • Active pauses resulted in more heterogeneous trapezius coordination compared to no feedback, implying uneven biomechanical load distribution.

    Conclusions:

    • Active pauses, induced by biofeedback during computer work, alter trapezius muscle activity by promoting a more spatially heterogeneous activation pattern.
    • This heterogeneous coordination may lead to a more uneven, potentially beneficial, distribution of biomechanical load.
    • Superimposed muscle contractions during computer work represent a novel approach to optimizing the spatial organization of muscle activity for ergonomic benefits.