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Research

A PILOT STUDY COMPARING SPINAL ANGLES WHEN ADOPTING A SELF SELECTED COMFORTABLE POSITION WITH A STANDARDISED ERGONOMIC POSTURE, SITTING ON A SADDLE CHAIR AND PERFORMING A TYPING TASK

The Society for Back Pain Research (SBPR) Annual General Meeting 2012



Abstract

Background

There is limited research investigating the effects of the Saddle Chair on spinal angles and it has not been determined if there is a difference between a self –selected comfortable posture (SSCP) and a standardised ergonomic posture (SEP).

Purpose of Study

Investigate if there is a difference in head tilt (HT); neck angle (NA); cervico-thoracic angle (CTA); thoracic angle (TA); lumbar angle (LA) and pelvic tilt (PT) when sitting on a saddle chair and adopting a SSCP compared with a SEP.

Methods

Experimental same subject design (n = 13) using healthy subjects conducting a typing task sitting on a Saddle Chair. A standardised introduction was given to the adjustment possibilities of the saddle chair, the hydraulic table, the computer screen and the screen riser. Subjects were asked to adopt a SSCP and to carry out a split-screen typing task. Further standardised instructions were then given and adjustments made to achieve a SEP and the task repeated. Analysis was via digital photographs analysed within MatLab. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests were conducted for each spinal variable.

Results

There was only a statistically significant difference in NA and CTA (p ≤ 0.05) when comparing the two postures. The mean neck angle was 3.61° less in the SEP and the mean CTA 1.09° less in the SEP.

Conclusion

These preliminary finding suggest that in order to adopt a more upright posture in relation to NA and CTA users need to be provided with standardised ergonomic instructions, rather than adopt a SSCP.

No Conflict of interest

No funding obtained

This abstract has not been previously published in whole or substantial part nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.