Changes in Posture Through the Use of Simple Inclines with Notebook Computers Placed on a Standard Desk

Details

• Personal Author:
  Asundi K ; Dennerlein, Jack T. ; Luce A ; Odell D
• Description:
  This study evaluated the use of simple inclines as a portable peripheral for improving head and neck postures during notebook computer use on tables in portable environments such as hotel rooms, cafés, and airport lounges. A 3D motion analysis system measured head, neck and right upper extremity postures of 15 participants as they completed a 10 min computer task in six different configurations, all on a fixed height desk: no-incline, 12 degrees incline, 25 degrees incline, no-incline with external mouse, 25 degrees incline with an external mouse, and a commercially available riser with external mouse and keyboard. After completion of the task, subjects rated the configuration for comfort and ease of use and indicated perceived discomfort in several body segments. Compared to the no-incline configuration, use of the 12 degrees incline reduced forward head tilt and neck flexion while increasing wrist extension. The 25 degrees incline further reduced head tilt and neck flexion while further increasing wrist extension. The 25 degrees incline received the lowest comfort and ease of use ratings and the highest perceived discomfort score. For portable, temporary computing environments where internal input devices are used, users may find improved head and neck postures with acceptable wrist extension postures with the utilization of a 12 degrees incline. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Computers Ergonomics Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Portable Computing Biomechanics Computer Equipment Notebook Peripherals Posture Upper Extremities
• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  400-407
• Volume:
  43
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060528
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2012 Mar; 43(2):400-407
• Contact Point Address:
  Jack T. Dennerlein, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Room 404L, Boston, MA 02215, USA
• Email:
  jax@hsph.harvard.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services ; Wholesale and Retail Trade
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20070301
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20120228
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:186e8fe6cb08e17b3d4362382788ab8c0b99c5225882085ecd139e6400f7a5c668b79918a4582ae0d58ae15ef01d321c71243db7029005ea24319aabb6f2e3f9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/224397/cdc_224397_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 691.17 KB ]