title: Muscle activity and mood state during simulated plant factory work in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury.
abstract: [Purpose] The present study investigated the physical and mental effects of plant factory work in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury and the use of a newly developed agricultural working environment. [Subjects] Six males with C5-C8 spinal cord injuries and 10 healthy volunteers participated. [Methods] Plant factory work involved three simulated repetitive tasks: sowing, transplantation, and harvesting. Surface electromyography was performed in the dominant upper arm, upper trapezius, anterior deltoid, and biceps brachii muscles. Subjects' moods were monitored using the Profile of Mood States. [Results] Five males with C6-C8 injuries performed the same tasks as healthy persons; a male with a C5 injury performed fewer repetitions of tasks because it took longer. Regarding muscle activity during transplantation and harvesting, subjects with spinal cord injury had higher values for the upper trapezius and anterior deltoid muscles compared with healthy persons. The Profile of Mood States vigor scores were significantly higher after tasks in subjects with spinal cord injury. [Conclusion] Individuals with cervical spinal cord injury completed the plant factory work, though it required increased time and muscle activity. For individuals with C5-C8 injuries, it is necessary to develop an appropriate environment and assistive devices to facilitate their work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka General Medical Center: 56-1-3 Mandai-Higashi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8558, Japan; Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okahara
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan.
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan.
authors.forename: Kuniharu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okuda
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan.
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shima
authors.affiliation: Daiwa House Industry, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyagaki
authors.affiliation: Tsubakimoto Chain, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohara
keywords: Cervical spinal cord injury; Electromyography; Work