title: Effects of Document Holder on Postural Neck Muscles Activity among Computer Users: A Preliminary Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Computer users are exposed to work related neck disorders due to repetitive movement and static posture for prolonged period. Viewing document and typing simultaneously are one of the contributing factors for neck disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the document holder on the postural neck muscles activity among computer users. Nine healthy participants with pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Neck muscles activity were analyzed using the surface electromyography (EMG) in five different document location such as flat right, flat left, flat center, stand right and stand left during a 5 min typing task.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean and standard deviation results showed a least amount of muscles activity using a document holder compared to without document holder. Nevertheless, the statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the using of a document holder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of document holder on head excursion and neck muscle activity is recommended in clinical neck pain population.
authors.affiliation: Program Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Science, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Subramaniam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ambusam
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Baharudin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.affiliation: Program Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Science, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia. leonardjoseph85@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Program Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Science, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Harithasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Deepashini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D004576:Electromyography; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Computer Users; Document Holder; Neck Muscle Activity; Surface EMG