Evaluation of an assistive exosuit for alleviating neck and shoulder muscle fatigue during prolonged flexed neck posture.
Hang Man Cho, Jae-Ryeong Choi, Jung-Hwan Moon and 2 others
PMID 39736717WHAT IT FOUND
Wearing a wire-assisted exosuit while holding a 45-degree neck flexion reduced muscle fatigue markers in healthy adults.
The device improved median frequency scores but did not change activation levels. Usability was rated average, with some users reporting shoulder pressure and numbness.
Key findings
01The exosuit significantly increased normalized median frequency (nMDF) in both upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles after 15 minutes of neck flexion, indicating reduced muscle fatigue.
02There was no significant difference in normalized root mean square (nRMS) muscle activation between wearing the exosuit and not wearing it.
03Participants rated the device's usability at the 46th percentile, with feedback highlighting relief in muscles but also excessive shoulder pressure and arm numbness.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted on healthy young adults (mean age ~25) with no history of neck pain, limiting generalizability to clinical populations. The experiment was performed in a laboratory setting with a fixed 45-degree neck flexion, not in real-world dynamic work environments. The usability score was only at the 46th percentile, and some participants experienced negative side effects like shoulder pressure and arm numbness. The sample size was small (26 participants), and the primary outcome was a physiological marker (sEMG), not patient-reported pain or function.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this device is ready for clinical use or that it reduces pain. The study measured muscle fatigue in healthy adults, not pain reduction in patients, and the device had an average usability score with reports of discomfort.