Biomaterial Database

Effect of head-mounted displays on posture. 2007

James F Knight, and Chris Baber

Electronic, Electrical and Computing Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B 15 2TT, UK. j.f.knight@bham.ac.uk

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine if a wearable system based on a head-mounted display (HMD) causes users to alter their head position and adopt postures that place greater stress on the musculoskeletal system. BACKGROUND HMDs are common output devices used with wearable computers. HMDs provide the wearer with visual information by projecting computer-generated virtual images in front of the eyes. Deviations of neck posture from a neutral upright position increase the stresses on the musculoskeletal system of the head and neck. METHODS Seven paramedics simulated the treatment of a patient under a normal condition and when using an HMD wearable computer system. During the simulations a posture analysis was performed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment method. RESULTS The postures adopted when wearing an HMD, as compared with a normal condition, scored significantly higher for the neck (z = 2.463, p < .05) and for overall body posture (left side of the body: z = 2.447, p < .05; right side of the body: z = 2.895, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS Wearing an HMD can force the wearers to modify their neck posture. As such, the musculoskeletal system of the head and neck may be placed under increased levels of stress. CONCLUSIONS Potential users should be made aware that HMDs could dictate modifications in neck posture, which may have detrimental effects and may compound the weight effect of the HMD.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009142	Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena	Processes and properties of the MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM.	Musculoskeletal Physiologic Processes,Musculoskeletal Physiological Process,Musculoskeletal Physiological Processes,Musculoskeletal Physiology,Musculoskeletal Physiologic Process,Musculoskeletal Physiological Concepts,Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomenon,Physiology, Musculoskeletal,Concept, Musculoskeletal Physiological,Concepts, Musculoskeletal Physiological,Musculoskeletal Physiological Concept,Phenomena, Musculoskeletal Physiological,Phenomenon, Musculoskeletal Physiological,Physiologic Process, Musculoskeletal,Physiologic Processes, Musculoskeletal,Process, Musculoskeletal Physiologic,Process, Musculoskeletal Physiological,Processes, Musculoskeletal Physiologic,Processes, Musculoskeletal Physiological
D009333	Neck	The part of a human or animal body connecting the HEAD to the rest of the body.	Necks
D011187	Posture	The position or physical attitude of the body.	Postures
D003198	Computer Simulation	Computer-based representation of physical systems and phenomena such as chemical processes.	Computational Modeling,Computational Modelling,Computer Models,In silico Modeling,In silico Models,In silico Simulation,Models, Computer,Computerized Models,Computer Model,Computer Simulations,Computerized Model,In silico Model,Model, Computer,Model, Computerized,Model, In silico,Modeling, Computational,Modeling, In silico,Modelling, Computational,Simulation, Computer,Simulation, In silico,Simulations, Computer
D003626	Data Display	The visual representation of data via a manufactured system.	Information Display,Data Displays,Display, Data,Display, Information,Displays, Data,Displays, Information,Information Displays
D004867	Equipment Design	Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware.	Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D006331	Heart Diseases	Pathological conditions involving the HEART including its structural and functional abnormalities.	Cardiac Disorders,Heart Disorders,Cardiac Diseases,Cardiac Disease,Cardiac Disorder,Heart Disease,Heart Disorder
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006804	Ergonomics	The science of designing, building or equipping mechanical devices or artificial environments to the anthropometric, physiological, or psychological requirements of the people who will use them.	Engineering Psychology,Human Engineering,Cognitive Ergonomics,Ergonomic Assessment,Human Factors Engineering,Human Factors and Ergonomics,Organizational Ergonomics,Physical Ergonomics,Psychology, Engineering,Visual Ergonomics,Cognitive Ergonomic,Ergonomic,Ergonomic Assessments,Ergonomic, Cognitive,Ergonomic, Organizational,Ergonomic, Physical,Ergonomic, Visual,Ergonomics, Cognitive,Ergonomics, Organizational,Ergonomics, Physical,Ergonomics, Visual,Human Factors Engineerings,Organizational Ergonomic,Physical Ergonomic,Visual Ergonomic