Effects of electromyographic and mechanomyographic biofeedback on upper trapezius muscle activity during standardized computer work

The purpose of this laboratory study was to investigate the effects of surface electromyography (EMG)- and mechanomyography (MMG)-based audio and visual biofeedback during computer work. Standardized computer work was performed for 3 min with/without time constraint and biofeedback in a randomized order. Biofeedback was given on the basis of an individual preset threshold value for the right trapezius EMG and MMG signal and a time factor (repetition of events above the threshold). The duration of muscle activity above the preset threshold, the right trapezius EMG and MMG root mean square (RMS) values as well as the work performance in terms of number of completed graph/mouse clicks/errors, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the usefulness of the biofeedback were assessed. The duration of muscle activity above the threshold was significantly lower with MMG compared with EMG as source of biofeedback (p < 0.05). Biofeedback led to a significant decrease in the right trapezius EMG RMS, lower RPE and decreased number of errors and mouse clicks, but also decreased number of completed graphs (p < 0.05). Audio and visual biofeedbacks were as effective. MMG-based biofeedback is a potential reliable alternative to EMG in ergonomics. A lowering of the trapezius muscle activity may contribute to diminish the risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders development.

[1]  P. Herberts,et al.  Voluntary redistribution of muscle activity in human shoulder muscles. , 1995, Ergonomics.

[2]  L. Sharpe,et al.  Effect of EMG biofeedback compared to applied relaxation training with chronic, upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders , 1995, PAIN®.

[3]  Bart Visser,et al.  Effects of precision demands and mental pressure on muscle activation and hand forces in computer mouse tasks , 2004, Ergonomics.

[4]  P Madeleine,et al.  Experimental muscle pain increases mechanomyographic signal activity during sub-maximal isometric contractions. , 2005, Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology.

[5]  R. H. Westgaard,et al.  Ergonomic intervention research for improved musculoskeletal health: A critical review , 1997 .

[6]  C. Jensen,et al.  The influence of electrode position on bipolar surface electromyogram recordings of the upper trapezius muscle , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[7]  D T Barry,et al.  Acoustic and surface EMG diagnosis of pediatric muscle disease , 1990, Muscle & nerve.

[8]  Stephen Nord,et al.  Muscle Learning Therapy—Efficacy of a Biofeedback Based Protocol in Treating Work-Related Upper Extremity Disorders , 2001, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.

[9]  U. Lundberg,et al.  Trapezius muscle activity, neck and shoulder pain, and subjective experiences during monotonous work in women , 2000, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[10]  G. Sjøgaard,et al.  Development of muscle fatigue as assessed by electromyography and mechanomyography during continuous and intermittent low-force contractions: effects of the feedback mode , 2002, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[11]  T. McMahon,et al.  The mechanism of low-frequency sound production in muscle. , 1987, Biophysical journal.

[12]  R. Westgaard,et al.  Electromyographic evaluation of muscular work pattern as a predictor of trapezius myalgia. , 1993, Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health.

[13]  S J Linton,et al.  Neck and shoulder disorders in medical secretaries. Part II. Ergonomical work environment and symptom profile. , 1991, Scandinavian journal of rehabilitation medicine.

[14]  A. B. Alexander,et al.  A comparison of auditory and visual feedback in biofeedback assisted muscular relaxation training. , 1975, Psychophysiology.

[15]  R. Lorentzon,et al.  Muscle performance, electromyography and fibre type composition in fibromyalgia and work-related myalgia. , 1992, Scandinavian journal of rheumatology.

[16]  Pascal Madeleine,et al.  The effects of neck–shoulder pain development on sensory–motor interactions among female workers in the poultry and fish industries. A prospective study , 2003, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[17]  I Petersén,et al.  Muscular reaction to welding work: an electromyographic investigation. , 1976, Ergonomics.

[18]  S. N. French.  Electromyographic biofeedback for tension control during fine motor skill acquisition , 1980, Biofeedback and self-regulation.

[19]  Erik Peper,et al.  The Integration of Electromyography (SEMG) at the Workstation: Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) , 2003, Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback.

[20]  G M Hägg,et al.  Normalization of surface EMG amplitude from the upper trapezius muscle in ergonomic studies - A review. , 1995, Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology.

[21]  R. Croce,et al.  The effects of EMG biofeedback on strength acquisition , 1986, Biofeedback and self-regulation.

[22]  Hermie J. Hermens,et al.  Muscle activation in chronic pain: its treatment using a new approach of myofeedback , 2002 .

[23]  C. C. A. M. Gielen,et al.  Differences in central control of m. biceps brachii in movement tasks and force tasks , 2004, Experimental Brain Research.

[24]  Thomas J Armstrong,et al.  Short term and long term effects of enhanced auditory feedback on typing force, EMG, and comfort while typing. , 2002, Applied ergonomics.

[25]  G. Sjøgaard,et al.  Assessment of postexercise muscle soreness by electromyography and mechanomyography. , 2002, The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society.

[26]  Svend Erik Mathiassen,et al.  Variability in mechanical exposure within and between individuals performing a highly constrained industrial work task , 2003, Ergonomics.

[27]  M Gaudette,et al.  Comparison of Auditory and Visual Feedback for EMG Training , 1983, Perceptual and motor skills.

[28]  M. Watakabe,et al.  Reliability of the mechanomyogram detected with an accelerometer during voluntary contractions , 2003, Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing.

[29]  Julia Faucett,et al.  A test of two training interventions to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity. , 2002, Applied ergonomics.

[30]  S. Skerfving,et al.  Musculoskeletal disorders among female dental personnel – clinical examination and a 5-year follow-up study of symptoms , 1999, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[31]  Timothy T Houle,et al.  A Preliminary Analysis of EMG Variance as an Index of Change in EMG Biofeedback Treatment of Tension-Type Headache , 2003, Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback.

[32]  D T Barry,et al.  Acoustic signals from frog skeletal muscle. , 1987, Biophysical journal.

[33]  M. Watakabe,et al.  Acoustic and electrical activities during voluntary isometric contraction of biceps brachii muscles in patients with spastic cerebral palsy , 1996, Muscle & nerve.

[34]  R Kadefors,et al.  Consequences of trapezius relaxation on the distribution of shoulder muscle forces: an electromyographic study. , 1998, Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology.

[35]  L Finsen,et al.  Acute response to precision, time pressure and mental demand during simulated computer work. , 2000, Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health.

[36]  Dario Farina,et al.  Standardising surface electromyogram recordings for assessment of activity and fatigue in the human upper trapezius muscle , 2002, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[37]  C. Orizio,et al.  Surface mechanomyogram reflects muscle fibres twitches summation. , 1996, Journal of biomechanics.

[38]  Pascal Madeleine,et al.  Shoulder muscle co-ordination during chronic and acute experimental neck-shoulder pain. An occupational pain study , 1999, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[39]  David G. Lloyd,et al.  Muscle activity is different for humans performing static tasks which require force control and position control , 1995, Neuroscience Letters.

[40]  A Kilbom,et al.  Work technique and its consequences for musculoskeletal disorders. , 1987, Ergonomics.

[41]  R H Westgaard,et al.  Pattern of muscle activity during stereotyped work and its relation to muscle pain , 1990, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[42]  C. Orizio,et al.  Surface mechanomyogram amplitude is not attenuated by intramuscular pressure , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[43]  D. Hewson,et al.  Evolution in impedance at the electrode-skin interface of two types of surface EMG electrodes during long-term recordings. , 2003, Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology.

[44]  C. Orizio.  Muscle sound: bases for the introduction of a mechanomyographic signal in muscle studies. , 1993, Critical reviews in biomedical engineering.

[45]  M. Hagberg,et al.  Prevalence rates and odds ratios of shoulder-neck diseases in different occupational groups. , 1987, British journal of industrial medicine.

[46]  T. Housh,et al.  MMG and EMG responses of the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles. , 1999, Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology.

[47]  Pascal Madeleine,et al.  Standardized low-load repetitive work: evidence of different motor control strategies between experienced workers and a reference group. , 2003, Applied ergonomics.

[48]  P Madeleine,et al.  Evidence of long term muscle fatigue following prolonged intermittent contractions based on mechano- and electromyograms. , 2003, Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology.

[49]  Dario Farina,et al.  Upper trapezius muscle mechanomyographic and electromyographic activity in humans during low force fatiguing and non-fatiguing contractions , 2002, European Journal of Applied Physiology.