Effects of a Traction Device for Head Weight Reduction and Neutral Alignment during Sedentary Visual Display Terminal (VDT) Work on Postural Alignment, Muscle Properties, Hemodynamics, Preference, and Working Memory Performance

Ju-Yeon Jung; Hwi-Young Cho; Chang-Ki Kang

doi:10.3390/ijerph192114254

Effects of a Traction Device for Head Weight Reduction and Neutral Alignment during Sedentary Visual Display Terminal (VDT) Work on Postural Alignment, Muscle Properties, Hemodynamics, Preference, and Working Memory Performance

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 31;19(21):14254. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114254.

Authors

Ju-Yeon Jung¹, Hwi-Young Cho^{1

2}, Chang-Ki Kang^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Science, Gachon University Graduate School, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea.
² Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea.
³ Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Korea.
⁴ Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea.

Abstract

The forward head posture of visual display terminal (VDT) users induces various physical and cognitive clinical symptoms. However, few studies have been conducted to identify and solve problems associated with VDT posture. This study aimed to examine the adverse effects of VDT posture and the positive effects of traction-combined workstations by measuring postural alignment, muscle properties, blood velocity, preference, and working memory. Thirty-four healthy VDT users (18 males and 16 females aged 20-30 years) participated in the experiment at three workstations, including conventional (VDT_C), head support (VDT_S), and upright (VDT_U) workstations. They conducted 2-back working memory task. The craniovertebral angle (CVA), muscle tone and stiffness, blood velocity and visual analogue discomfort scale (VADS) were measured to examine the influence of workstations. VDT_C showed increased muscle tone or stiffness in the levator scapulae (LS), suboccipital muscle (SM), and sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and an increased reaction time (RT) in working memory. However, VDT_S showed decreased stiffness and tone of SM and improved comfort. In addition, VDT_U showed decreased stiffness or tone of the LS and SCM and improved blood velocity and RT. In conclusion, maintaining neutral alignment significantly improved working memory performance, muscle properties, and blood velocity.

Keywords: 2-back working memory; VADS; VDT postural alignment; VDT workstation; blood velocity; muscle stiffness and tone.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cognition
Computer Terminals*
Female
Hemodynamics
Humans
Male
Memory, Short-Term
Superficial Back Muscles*
Traction
Weight Loss

Grants and funding

This research was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (No. 2020R1A2C1004355; No. 2022R1F1A1062766).