Effects of Using a Shoulder/Scapular Brace on the Posture and Muscle Activity of Healthy University Students during Prolonged Typing—A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial

Abstract

Laptop use appears to contribute to poor working postures and neck pain among university students. Postural braces have the potential to improve upper back/neck posture and therefore might have a role as an ergonomic aid for this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the short-term effects of scapular bracing on pain, fatigue, cervicothoracic posture, and the activity of the neck and upper-back muscles in healthy college students. A randomized controlled crossover trial was conducted to evaluate the self-reported pain and fatigue, the amplitude and median frequency of surface electromyography in neck extensors, upper trapezius, and lower trapezius, as well as the neck and shoulder sagittal alignment (measured by inertial sensors and digital photographs) during a 30-min typing task in a sample of young, healthy university students with or without a scapular brace. The brace condition resulted in significantly smaller levels of bilateral trapezius muscle activity (p < 0.01). Rounded shoulder posture was slightly better in the brace condition, but these differences were not significant (p > 0.05). There were no significant immediate differences in pain or fatigue scores, neck alignment, or the electromyographic activity of the other muscles tested between brace and non-brace conditions (all p > 0.05). However, bracing appears to immediately reduce the electromyographic activity of the lower trapezius muscles (p < 0.05). These findings shed some light on the possible advantages of scapular bracing for enhancing laptop ergonomics in this group of individuals. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of different types of braces, the importance of matching the brace to the user, and the short- and long-term effects of brace use on computer posture and muscle activity.

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

“…Velcro is one of the best-known and commercially successful biomimetic materials which is used in various fields such as the biomedical, textiles, footwear, prosthesis fields, and so on. Thus, Velcro straps have been employed in postural braces used to restore normal scapular posture and scapular muscle activation (Figure 3) [26]. Velcro is also used for attaching wearable systems such as e-sleeves with an open and Velcro closure structure (Figure 4) for stroke rehabilitation by functional electrical stimulation (FES) [26].…”

“…Thus, Velcro straps have been employed in postural braces used to restore normal scapular posture and scapular muscle activation (Figure 3) [26]. Velcro is also used for attaching wearable systems such as e-sleeves with an open and Velcro closure structure (Figure 4) for stroke rehabilitation by functional electrical stimulation (FES) [26]. Another remarkable example is the lotus flower, renowned for its incredible self-cleaning properties.…”

Comparing Three Wearable Brassiere Braces Designed to Correct Rounded Posture

“…Regarding the first type, the figure-eight orthopedic device, research conducted by Lee and his team [12] found that combining scapular posterior tilting exercises with this type of shoulder brace yielded significantly more favorable results in reducing RSP among young adult males compared to exercises without bracing [12]. More recently, Leung et al [19] found that the use of a commercially available scapular brace seems to result in an immediate decrease in electromyography activity in the LT muscles in healthy university students while they engage in prolonged typing. Additionally, Chiu and his team showed that the characteristics of shoulder brace straps influence muscle activity and scapular motion at various arm angles, with diagonal braces with maximum strap tension being effective in alleviating RSP and impingement syndrome [20].…”