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. 2018 Sep;9(3):319-325.
doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2017.07.004. Epub 2017 Jul 19.

Effects of Shoulder Taping on Discomfort and Electromyographic Responses of the Neck While Texting on a Touchscreen Smartphone

Pattanasin Areeudomwong  1   2 , Konnika Oapdunsalam  1 , Yupadee Havicha  1 , Sawit Tantai  1 , Vitsarut Buttagat  1   2
Affiliations

Effects of Shoulder Taping on Discomfort and Electromyographic Responses of the Neck While Texting on a Touchscreen Smartphone

Pattanasin Areeudomwong et al. Saf Health Work. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Prolonged neck flexion during smartphone use is known as a factor of neck pain and alteration of neck muscle activity. Studies on the effects of shoulder taping on neck discomfort and neck muscle responses while texting on a smartphone are still lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of shoulder taping on neck discomfort using a numerical rating scale, and neck muscle activity and fatigue using a surface electromyography during a texting task on a touchscreen smartphone.

Methods: Twenty-five healthy adolescents used the dominant hand to perform a 30-minute texting task using a touchscreen smartphone at two separate times under one of the following two conditions: taping across the upper trapezius muscle and no taping. Neck discomfort, normalized root mean square, and normalized median frequency slopes for upper trapezius, cervical erector spinae, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were recorded.

Results: The results revealed that shoulder taping provided significantly lower neck discomfort than no taping (p < 0.001). However, shoulder taping did not significantly alter normalized root mean square and normalized median frequency slope values of all muscles when compared with no taping controls.

Conclusion: Shoulder taping reduces neck discomfort but does not affect neck muscle activity and fatigue while texting on a touchscreen smartphone.

Keywords: Muscle activity; Muscle fatigue; Neck discomfort; Shoulder taping; Smartphone.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Protocol of the study. Assessments were performed at the start and end of each intervention period. The letters A, B, C, and D represent assessment time points.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Texting on a touchscreen smartphone in a seated position.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Means and standard deviation of neck discomfort measured by a numerical rating scale for shoulder taping (dash line) and no taping (solid line) conditions while texting on a touchscreen smartphone (n = 25). * p < 0.001.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Means and standard deviation of normalized root mean square of (A) upper trapezius, (B) cervical erector spinae, and (C) sternocleidomastoid, measured by surface electromyography for shoulder taping (dash line) and no taping (solid line) conditions while texting on a touchscreen smartphone (n = 25). MVIC, maximum voluntary isometric contraction.
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