Ergonomic Consideration in Pillow Height Determinants and Evaluation

(1) Background: Sleep problems have become one of the current serious public health issues. Pillow height affects the alignment of the cervical spine and is closely related to the mechanical environment of the cervical spine. An appropriate pillow height can provide adequate support for the head and neck to reduce the stress in the cervical spine and relax the muscles of the neck and shoulder, thereby relieving pain and improving sleep quality. (2) Methods: We reviewed the current trends, research methodologies, and determinants of pillow height evaluation, summarizing the evidences published since 1997. In particular, we scrutinized articles dealing with the physiological and mechanical characteristics of the head-neck-shoulder complex. (3) Results: Through the investigation and analysis of these articles, we presented several quantitative and objective determinants for pillow height evaluation, including cervical spine alignment, body dimension, contact pressure, and muscle activity. The measurement methods and selection criteria for these parameters are described in detail. However, the suggested range for achieving optimal cervical spine alignment, appropriate pressure distribution, and minimal muscle activity during sleep cannot yet be identified considering the lack of sufficient evidence. Moreover, there remain no firm conclusions about the optimal pillow height for the supine and lateral positions. (4) Conclusions: A comprehensive evaluation combining the above determinants provides a unique solution for ergonomic pillow design and proper pillow height selection, which can effectively promote the public sleep health. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a reasonable algorithm to weigh multiple determinants.

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Effect of Active Intervention after Kaltenborn's Cervical Joint Mobilization on The Cervical Spine Alignment and Muscle Activity in Patients with Forward Head Posture

Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine ◽

10.13066/kspm.2015.10.2.17 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 17-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kang-Jin Lee ◽

Jung-Suk Roh ◽

Houng-Sik Choi ◽

Heon-Seock Cynn ◽

Kyu-Hwan Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Forward Head Posture ◽

Joint Mobilization ◽

Head Posture ◽

Active Intervention ◽

Cervical Spine Alignment

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Muscle Activity Influence on the Kinematics of the Cervical Spine in Rear-End Sled Tests in Female Volunteers

Traffic Injury Prevention ◽

10.1080/15389588.2012.714018 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 369-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Christoph Dehner ◽

Sylvia Schick ◽

Michael Kraus ◽

Wolfram Hell ◽

Michael Kramer

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Muscle Activity

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C1-C2 Subluxation after Mild Cervical Spine Trauma in a Child

Surgical Case Reports ◽

10.31487/j.scr.2020.07.17 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Isabel Snee ◽

Catherine A. Mazzola

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Head Tilt ◽

Spine Injury ◽

Halo Traction ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Cervical Spine Alignment ◽

Atlanto Axial Joint ◽

Spine Radiographs ◽

Halo Device

We report a case of a seven-year-old girl who presented with a “Cock-Robin” head tilt and cervical spine injury after falling from her bed. Initial cervical spine X-ray reported a fractured clavicle. However, almost four weeks later, the torticollis had not resolved. Computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical spine revealed subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint at C1-C2. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not show any spinal cord injury. Manual reduction and hard collar placement were attempted, yet C1- C2 subluxation recurred. The child was placed into halo traction and then into a halo vest. CT scan showed near complete resolution of C1-C2 subluxation. Three months later the halo device was removed, and the patient was placed in a hard cervical collar then transitioned into a soft collar over a four month period. During this time, the patient received physical therapy. Final cervical spine radiographs revealed proper cervical spine alignment and resolution of C1-C2 subluxation.

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Lacrosse Equipment and Cervical Spinal Cord Space During Immobilization: Preliminary Analysis

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-45.1.39 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 39-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Michael Higgins ◽

Ryan T. Tierney ◽

Jeffrey B. Driban ◽

Steven Edell ◽

Randall Watkins

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Cervical Spine ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Cervical Spinal Cord ◽

Spine Injury ◽

Imaging Center ◽

Mri Scans ◽

History Of ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Cervical Spine Alignment

Abstract Context: Removal of the lacrosse helmet to achieve airway access has been discouraged based only on research in which cervical alignment was examined. No researchers have examined the effect of lacrosse equipment on the cervical space available for the spinal cord (SAC). Objective: To determine the effect of lacrosse equipment on the cervical SAC and cervical-thoracic angle (CTA) in the immobilized athlete. Design: Observational study. Setting: Outpatient imaging center. Patients or Other Participants: Ten volunteer lacrosse athletes (age = 20.7 ± 1.87 years, height = 180.3 ± 8.3 cm, mass = 91 ± 12.8 kg) with no history of cervical spine injury or disease and no contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intervention(s): The lacrosse players were positioned supine on a spine board for all test conditions. An MRI scan was completed for each condition. Main Outcome Measure(s): The independent variables were condition (no equipment, shoulder pads only [SP], and full gear that included helmet and shoulder pads [FG]), and cervical spine level (C3–C7). The dependent variables were the SAC and CTA. The MRI scans were evaluated midsagittally. The average of 3 measures was used as the criterion variable. The SAC data were analyzed using a 3 × 5 analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. The CTA data were analyzed with a 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: We found no equipment × level interaction effect (F3.7,72 = 1.34, P = .279) or equipment main effect (F2,18 = 1.20, P = .325) for the SAC (no equipment = 5.04 ± 1.44 mm, SP = 4.69 ± 1.36 mm, FG = 4.62 ± 1.38 mm). The CTA was greater (ie, more extension; critical P = .0167) during the SP (32.64° ± 3.9°) condition than during the no-equipment (25.34° ± 2.3°; t9 = 7.67, P = .001) or FG (26.81° ± 5.1°; t9 = 4.80, P = .001) condition. Conclusions: Immobilizing healthy lacrosse athletes with shoulder pads and no helmets affected cervical spine alignment but did not affect SAC. Further research is needed to determine and identify appropriate care of the lacrosse athlete with a spine injury.

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3 Cervical Spine Alignment

Cervical Spine Deformity Surgery ◽

10.1055/b-0039-169481 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Cervical Spine Alignment

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Association of Preoperative Cervical Spine Alignment With Spinal Cord Magnetic Resonance Imaging Hyperintensity and Myelopathy Severity

Spine ◽

10.1097/brs.0000000000000670 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 11-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Chandan Mohanty ◽

Eric M. Massicotte ◽

Michael G. Fehlings ◽

Mohammed F. Shamji

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Cervical Spine ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Cervical Spine Alignment

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Case Series of an Intraoral Balancing Appliance Therapy on Subjective Symptom Severity and Cervical Spine Alignment

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/181769 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Young Jun Lee ◽

Joo Kang Lee ◽

Soo Chang Jung ◽

Hwang-woo Lee ◽

Chang Shik Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Case Series ◽

Subjective Symptom ◽

Cervical Spine Alignment

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Evaluation of an adjustable support shoulder exoskeleton on static and dynamic overhead tasks

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1541931218621184 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 804-808 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Logan Van Engelhoven ◽

Nathan Poon ◽

Homayoon Kazerooni ◽

Alan Barr ◽

David Rempel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Industrial Workers ◽

Human Engineering ◽

Shoulder Injuries ◽

Flexor Muscle ◽

Work Related ◽

Upper Trapezius ◽

Shoulder Complex

Introduction: Overhead tasks increase the risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders to industrial workers. A shoulder supporting exoskeleton with adjustable and angle dependent torque (referred to as shoulderX in this paper for brevity) was designed and built at the University of California Berkeley Human Engineering and Robotics Laboratory for workers performing overhead tasks. shoulderX was designed specifically to reduce the exposure to large muscle exertion forces on the shoulder complex from overhead work. Methods: We evaluated shoulderX by measuring the muscle activation of the upper trapezius (UT), anterior deltoid (AD), triceps long head (TR), and infraspinatus (IF) during static and dynamic overhead tasks. Thirteen male subjects with experience in the construction or manufacturing industries were recruited to perform overhead tasks using light (.45 kg) and heavy (2.25 kg) weight tools with four exoskeleton support levels (0, 8.5, 13.0, 20.0 Nm peak torque). Results: During all conditions, the wearer’s shoulder flexor muscle activity of UT, AD were reduced with increasing strength of shoulderX by up to 80%. Subjects unanimously preferred the use of shoulderX over the unassisted condition for all task types (static and dynamic overhead tasks) and tool weights (.45 kg and 2.25 kg). Conclusion: shoulderX reduces the wearer’s primary muscle activity in overhead static and dynamic work and results in a more desirable and balanced pattern of shoulder complex activation. This investigation indicates that shoulderX reduces the risk of work related shoulder injuries during overhead tasks.

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