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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
07:51
Video Movement Analysis Using Smartphones (ViMAS): A Pilot Study
Published on: March 14, 2017
Thumb joint movement and muscular activity during mobile phone texting - A methodological study
Per Jonsson1, Peter W Johnson, Mats Hagberg
1Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy, Göteborg University, Box 414, SE-40530 Göteborg, Sweden. per.jonsson@amm.gu.se
Summary
Mobile phone use can cause thumb pain. Electrogoniometry and EMG are needed together to measure thumb strain during texting, as electrogoniometry alone is insufficient for most activities.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Ergonomics
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Prolonged use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices, like mobile phones, can lead to thumb and finger pain and musculoskeletal disorders.
- Research characterizing the biomechanical exposures during mobile phone use is limited.
- Electromyography (EMG) and electrogoniometry are potential methods for assessing thumb-based activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between thumb-based exposures measured by electrogoniometry and EMG.
- To determine if electrogoniometry can serve as a surrogate for EMG in assessing thumb biomechanics during mobile phone use.
Main Methods:
- Utilized electrogoniometry and EMG to measure thumb-based activities during mobile phone use.
- Compared outcome measures from both electrogoniometric and EMG methods.
Main Results:
- Found low associations between electrogoniometry and EMG for most thumb movements.
- Observed that electrogoniometry and EMG provide complementary data on thumb exposure.
- Identified specific abduction/adduction activities where electrogoniometry could potentially replace EMG.
Conclusions:
- Both electrogoniometry and EMG are necessary for a comprehensive characterization of thumb exposure during mobile phone text messaging.
- Electrogoniometry alone is not a sufficient substitute for EMG in assessing thumb biomechanical exposures during typical mobile phone use.
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