Effect of Using an 8-Figure Shoulder Brace on Posture and Muscle Activities during the Performance of Dental Hygiene Procedures

Tae-Lim Yoon, Ji-Hyun Min and Han-Na Kim
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Tae-Lim Yoon: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Korea
Ji-Hyun Min: Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Korea
Han-Na Kim: Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Korea

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-8

Abstract: The incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dental workers has been increasing. Many ergonomic devices and accessories have been introduced. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-figure shoulder brace on posture-related muscle activities in dental hygiene practitioners during scaling procedures. In this study, 33 participants (age: 21.9 ± 2.1 years, height: 162.0 ± 6.0 cm, weight: 55.8 ± 9.0 kg, body mass index: 21.2 ± 2.4 kg/m 2 ) performed the scaling procedure with and without the 8-figure shoulder brace in a randomized order. The normalized electromyography activity in the amplitude probability distribution function and joint angles (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and shoulder joints) were simultaneously recorded during scaling. A paired t test was used to compare the differences in muscle kinematics, with the alpha level set at 0.05. The dental hygienists who wore the 8-figure shoulder brace during scaling showed thoracic and lumbar extension, improved sitting postures, and reduced shoulder joint abduction. However, we also observed an unintended increase in internal rotation. Use of the 8-figure shoulder brace could prevent work-related MSDs in lumbar and thoracic regions by reducing the effort exerted by the upper trapezius and deltoid muscles, despite the increased muscular effort of the cervical erector spinae.

Keywords: dental hygiene; dental scaling; EMG activity; musculoskeletal disorder; 8-figure shoulder brace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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