Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a lightweight low-intensity massage system (LWMAS) in a car seat on the electromyogram (EMG) of the neck and shoulder muscles and on the comfort experience during driving. Methods: Two experiments were performed during driving with and without the active LWMAS in the seat. Subjective measurements were taken, in which the comfort experience was recorded for 20 participants driving a prescribed path around Munich for 120 minutes. Then objective (surface EMG above the rhomboideus and trapezius muscles) measurements and subjective measurements of the comfort experience were recorded over 7 laps on a test track for 24 participants. Results: The comfort was higher, and the EMG was significantly lower in the trapezius area while driving with the LWMAS. Conclusion: Despite the fact that the LWMAS system is lightweight, has low intensity, and might have had a smaller effect, similar effects to previous studies with heavier systems were found, indicating that this massage system increases comfort and reduces muscle activity during driving as well.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-113 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2011 |
Keywords
- Automobiles
- Electromyography
- Neck
- Pain
- Shoulder
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chiropractics