The potential for actigraphy to be used as an indicator of sitting discomfort.
OBJECTIVE
A novel technique that uses actigraphy, the study of activity involving the use of body-mounted accelerometers, to detect the discomfort-related movements of a sitting individual has been proposed as a potential indicator of sitting discomfort, and the purpose of this study was to test its validity.


BACKGROUND
Objective measurement of sitting discomfort has always been challenging for researchers. Electromyographic measurements, pressure mapping, and a wide range of other techniques have all been investigated with limited success.


METHODS
The activity monitor's ability to detect and measure seated movement was assessed, and 12 participants were tested on four different chairs (100-min sessions for each).


RESULTS
The activity monitor was able to detect participants' sitting movements (Pearson coefficients > 0.9). The chairs were shown to have significantly different subjective discomfort ratings, all of which increased over time. The movements detected by the activity monitor also increased significantly with time, and the amount measured was greater in the chairs rated as most uncomfortable. Regression analysis indicated that the actigraphy data were able to account for 29.6% of the variation in perceived discomfort ratings.


CONCLUSIONS
Actigraphy can reliably detect sitting movements and may be of use in measuring sitting discomfort.


CONCLUSIONS
Potential applications of this technique exist for seating research in the automotive industry, health care, and office and leisure chairs.
Telfer
Scott
S
Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom. s.telfer@strath.ac.uk
Spence
William D
WD
Solomonidis
Stephan E
SE
D056044:Actigraphy; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*