Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

SAGETRACK

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Murphey, S. L.
Right arrow Articles by Milkowski, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?

Surface EMG Evaluation of Sonographer Scanning Postures

Susan L. Murphey, BS, RDMS, RDCS, CECD

Sound Ergonomics, LLC, Kenmore, Washington

Andy Milkowski, MS

General Electric Medical Systems,Waukesha, Washington

This article presents a technique for quantitative evaluation of musculoskeletal impact using postural tests to assess two specific muscle groups: the left upper trapezius and the right suprascapular fossa. The muscular activity of these regions of the neck and shoulder was quantitatively evaluated using surface electromyography in 22 sonographer subjects. This study shows statistically significant reductions in muscle activity by modifying scanning technique and workstation arrangement. Left upper trapezius muscle activity decreased 65% from a 50-degree forward shoulder flexion (reach) to neutral (0-degree reach) position. Right suprascapular fossa activity decreased 46% between a 75-degree abduction and 30-degree abduction, as well as 78% when support under the forearm at the same 30-degree abduction was provided, resulting in a total reduction from the first position to the third position of 88%. These results illustrate the benefit of optimized scanning technique, workstation utilization, and use of adjustable workstation equipment.

Key Words: ergonomics • work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) • SEMG • sonographer scanning technique

Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Vol. 22, No. 5, 298-305 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/8756479306292683
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati   Add to Twitter Twitter    What's this?