Technical Device for Prevention of Spinal Column Disorders. Pilot EMG Study for Estimation of Back Muscle Activity

Abstract

One possible cause of abnormal spinal column curvatures in adolescents is standing in “bad posture” for a long time. If this bad habit can be corrected on time, by creating a dynamic stereotype for correct body position maintenance, further health problems can be avoided. To present a technical device for prevention of scoliotic deformations signaling when the angles of inclination forward or sideward are bigger than preliminary set ones. To elaborate an experimental protocol based on analysis of EMG activity (EMGs) of spine muscles for verification of its effect. Study design: Devising of the device and of software for EMGs processing. Pilot experiments were conducted recording EMGs of eight spinal muscles for estimation of the device efficiency. Different mathematical procedures were proposed and programmed for data processing and illustration. Two device prototypes (with sound and vibration signal) are developed and experimentally used. EMG data from 20 motor tasks (half of them with carrying the device) are processed. The device can be used as a simple tool for biofeedback-type pupil teaching of dynamic stereotype for right posture maintenance. The developed software for EMGs processing can be used for tracing the effect of using the device.

Keywords

• Prevention
• Spine muscle
• EMGs
• Scoliosis
• Technical device