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The relationship between head and neck posture and VDT screen height in keyboard operators
D M Kietrys1, P W McClure, G K Fitzgerald
1Rehabilitation and Fitness Services Inc, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA.
Physical Therapy
|April 29, 1998
Summary
Adjusting video display terminal (VDT) height did not alter cervical spine flexion moments in short-term computer use. While some head and neck postural angles changed, their clinical significance remains uncertain, suggesting no reduction in postural stress.
Area of Science:
- Ergonomics and Occupational Health
- Biomechanics
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Prolonged computer use can lead to musculoskeletal discomfort.
- Video Display Terminal (VDT) height is a modifiable ergonomic factor.
- Understanding the impact of VDT height on cervical spine biomechanics is crucial for preventing strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of elevated VDT height on head and neck postural angles.
- To determine the impact of VDT height adjustments on cervical spine flexion moments.
- To assess if changing VDT height reduces biomechanical indicators of postural stress.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven participants (3 male, 24 female) with at least 3 hours of daily computer use were recruited.
- Participants were photographed using a computer with VDT at two different heights: 96.5 cm and 109.2 cm.
- A goniometer was used on images to measure postural angles of the head and neck.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in cervical spine flexion moments was observed between the two VDT height conditions.
- Several postural angles of the head and neck exhibited changes, though their clinical relevance is questionable.
- The study found no evidence that the elevated screen position reduced short-term postural stress on the cervical spine.
Conclusions:
- Elevating VDT height from 96.5 cm to 109.2 cm does not affect cervical spine flexion moments during brief VDT operation.
- The observed changes in postural angles lack clear clinical significance regarding reduced postural stress.
- Current findings suggest that adjusting VDT height in this manner does not alleviate biomechanical stress on the cervical spine for short-duration computer tasks.
