Lasanen Roope, Malo Markus K H, Airaksinen Olavi, Karhu Jari, Töyräs Juha, Julkunen Petro
a Department of Applied Physics , University of Eastern Finland , Finland.
b Thermidas Ltd , Finland.
Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2018 Sep;24(3):457-463. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1336299. Epub 2017 Aug 9.
Musculoskeletal symptoms related to using traditional computer workstations are common. Quantitative methods for measuring muscle stress and strain are needed to improve ergonomics of workstations. We hypothesize that infrared thermography (IRT) is suited for this purpose.
This hypothesis was evaluated by estimating muscle activity in upright and traditional working postures with IRT and surface electromyography (sEMG). IRT and sEMG measurements were conducted in 14 female participants with both working postures. First, measurements with the traditional posture were performed. Later, participants had 1 month to adjust to the upright working posture before repeating the measurements. IRT images were acquired before and after a full working day, with sEMG recordings being conducted throughout the measurement days. Participants evaluated their neck pain severity using neck disability index (NDI) questionnaires before the first and after the second measurement day.
Spatial variation in upper back temperature was higher (p = 0.008) when working in traditional posture and the upright working posture reduced (p < 0.05) upper back muscle activity. The NDI was significantly lower (p = 0.003) after working in the upright posture.
IRT was found suitable for evaluating muscle activity and upright working posture to reduce the NDI and muscle activity in the upper back.
与使用传统电脑工作站相关的肌肉骨骼症状很常见。需要定量方法来测量肌肉压力和应变，以改善工作站的人体工程学设计。我们假设红外热成像（IRT）适用于此目的。
通过使用IRT和表面肌电图（sEMG）评估直立和传统工作姿势下的肌肉活动来验证这一假设。对14名女性参与者在两种工作姿势下进行了IRT和sEMG测量。首先，进行传统姿势的测量。之后，参与者有1个月时间适应直立工作姿势，然后重复测量。在完整工作日前后采集IRT图像，在整个测量期间进行sEMG记录。参与者在第一次测量前和第二次测量后使用颈部残疾指数（NDI）问卷评估颈部疼痛严重程度。
以传统姿势工作时上背部温度的空间变化更高（p = 0.008），而直立工作姿势可降低（p < 0.05）上背部肌肉活动。直立姿势工作后NDI显著降低（p = 0.003）。
发现IRT适用于评估肌肉活动和直立工作姿势，以降低NDI和上背部的肌肉活动。
