A Multi-Parametric Wearable System to Monitor Neck Movements and Respiratory Frequency of Computer Workers

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common form of occupational ill-health. Neck pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders experienced by computer workers. Wrong postural habits and non-compliance of the workstation to ergonomics guidelines are the leading causes of neck pain. These factors may also alter respiratory functions. Health and safety interventions can reduce neck pain and, more generally, the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and reduce the consequent economic burden. In this work, a multi-parametric wearable system based on two fiber Bragg grating sensors is proposed for monitoring neck movements and breathing activity of computer workers. The sensing elements were positioned on the neck, in the frontal and sagittal planes, to monitor: (i) flexion-extension and axial rotation repetitions, and (ii) respiratory frequency. In this pilot study, five volunteers were enrolled and performed five repetitions of both flexion-extension and axial rotation, and ten breaths of both quite breathing and tachypnea. Results showed the good performances of the proposed system in monitoring the aforementioned parameters when compared to optical reference systems. The wearable system is able to well-match the trend in time of the neck movements (both flexion-extension and axial rotation) and to estimate mean and breath-by-breath respiratory frequency values with percentage errors ≤6.09% and ≤1.90%, during quiet breathing and tachypnea, respectively.

A Wearable Sensor System for Physical Ergonomics Interventions Using Haptic Feedback

“…For example, among professional ergonomists in the US, only about 12% reported using non-optical motion capture instruments at least once every six months, and less than 5% reported using electronic goniometer for the wrist or trunk at least once every six months. Recent rapid technological developments have resulted in an increasing number of low-cost solutions for the monitoring of human movements and postures [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. While some technical solutions solely focus on single joints [ 37 ], others target multiple body segments, e.g., the trunk, arms, hands, and the lower limbs [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Fiber Bragg Gratings for Medical Applications and Future Challenges: A Review

“…For this reason, most of the studies for joint kinematics focused on the development and assessment of wearables based on FBGs [47]- [49] Usually, to improve their robustness and performances, FBGs have been housed into more flexible structures made of polymers such as Polyvinyl chloride -PVC [47]- [49], Dragon Skin™ silicone families [50], [51], polylactic acid -PLA [52], and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) [53]. Buttons, belts, Velcro® strips, and tapes have been used as bonding elements.…”

“…Results of the angular displacements response vs. torques (calculated by multiplying applied forces and moment arm) allowed the evaluation of the joint quasi-stiffness. Lastly, some studies investigated the use of FBG-based flexible sensors directly attached to the skin or taped on stretchable belts for spinal motion detection [51], [58]. In [51], the movements of F/E and axial rotation (AR) of the cervical segment of nine volunteers were detected by using two custom flexible sensors based on FBGs showing good performances when compared to a Motion Capture (MoCap) system used as a reference, with potentiality in preventing neck pain.…”

Neckio: Motivating Neck Exercises in Computer Workers

“…At present, products that address neck pain prevention can be divided into two categories: posture-tracking devices and exercise-coaching applications. Posture-tracking devices can be wearable, such as experimental devices that use flex sensors [ 22 , 23 , 24 ] and the commercial system Alex [ 25 ]. Alternatively, they can be off the body sensor-based devices, such as Measuring Chair [ 21 ] or camera-based systems [ 26 ] that track posture at a fixed location, reminding users to sit upright and providing feedback on their posture.…”