The impact of pillow height on neck muscle activity: a pilot study

Muscle relaxation in the neck during sleep is crucial for achieving quality sleep, and varying pillow heights can significantly influence the myoelectric activity of the neck muscles. This study aims to investigate the effects of different pillow heights on neck muscle activity, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations for pillow selection.

A total of 15 asymptomatic participants in this study, aged 18 to 30, were assigned to three groups based on pillow height: height 1 (0.5*Shoulder width), height 2 (1.0*Shoulder width), and height 3 (1.5*Shoulder width). Electromyography (EMG) was employed to measure muscle activity in the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles during lateral sleeping positions. Sleep comfort was evaluated using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA to assess the differences in muscle activity and comfort levels across the various pillow heights.

The muscle activation levels revealed that both the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscle exhibited the lowest EMG activity in the height 2 (p < 0.001). In contrast, the sternocleidomastoid muscle recorded the highest activation, demonstrating significantly greater average electromyography (AEMG) and integrated electromyography (iEMG) at height 1 (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the trapezius muscle showed the highest AEMG at height 3 (p < 0.001). Additionally, height 2 was identified as the most comfortable option when compared to height 1 and 3 (p < 0.001).

This study concludes that varying pillow heights are linked to neck muscle activity and sleep comfort. These findings underscore the importance of an appropriate pillow height to maintain a healthy cervical spine and promote restful sleep.