Design and development of a 3-axis accelerometer biofeedback system for real-time correction of neck posture for long-time computer users

Abstract

Background: Due to long-term use of computers and not maintaining the correct position and angle of the body while working with it, various skeletal and muscular problems and pain in the neck area occurs. This study aims to use a biofeedbck system to alert the computer users of an inappropriate angle of their necks, and as a result help them to establish a correct neck position. Method: The user's neck angle is measured using a three dimensional accelerometer and the signal is processed, digitalized, and sent to the computer. User friendly software is designed to process the received data and warn the users when their neck angle is inappropriate. Results: The results show that the application of the biofeedback system reduces the users' total time with inappropriate neck angle to <50%. Conclusion: results demonstrated that training with the biofeedback system has been sufficient to make the habit of maintaining the neck in the correct angle.