Shoulder muscle activity increases with wrist splint use during a simulated upper-extremity work task.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that wearing a wrist splint while performing a common light manufacturing task (moving an object from a bin) increases shoulder muscle activity.


METHODS
Electromyography (EMG) signals were evaluated from the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid, trapezius, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus of 14 volunteers while they moved an object from a bin. Two test conditions were measured: with and without a wrist splint. The height of the bin was also varied.


RESULTS
Wearing a wrist splint increased maximum EMG for all six muscles and average levels for the deltoid (anterior, middle, posterior) and trapezius. As bin height increased, maximum muscle activity increased in the deltoid (anterior, middle, and posterior) and trapezius, and the average increased in the deltoid (middle and posterior) and trapezius.


CONCLUSIONS
Workplace factors can modify the activation of a patient's shoulder muscles when he or she is wearing a wrist splint. An ergonomic job analysis should be conducted for patients who are returning to work wearing wrist splints.
Mell
Amy G
AG
Orthopaedic Research Laboratories and MedSport, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, USA.
Friedman
Mark A
MA
Hughes
Richard E
RE
Carpenter
James E
JE
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D013165:Splints; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D014953:Wrist