SP01-PS06: Impact of Postural Biofeedback on Neck and Trunk Flexion of Dental Hygiene Students

PROBLEM STATEMENT: Biofeedback may increase perception of potentially harmful postures adopted while working clinically. When worn for a period, a biofeedback device that vibrates when a posture is held outside a preset range may assist the wearer in assuming a more neutral posture at the neck and trunk when the sensor is not being worn, ultimately improving posture.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess pre and post-posture in dental hygiene students who were randomized to receive postural biofeedback or not, during a training period.

METHODS: A convenience sample of twenty-four dental hygiene students participated in this IRB-approved study (2010225-5). Baseline posture was obtained using IMU sensors placed on the head, neck, upper, and lower trunk. Students were randomized to receive biofeedback (n=12) or not (n=12) over a four-week training period while they performed clinical dental hygiene procedures. Post-posture was measured one week after completion of the four-week training period. A post-opinion survey was also completed. Two-way mixed design analysis of variance was utilized to examine differences in posture between groups and from baseline to post-intervention at each sensor site. Chi-square statistical test was used to examine differences in frequencies between ratings of the post-opinion survey questions.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in posture at any sensor site between biofeedback and control groups (p’s > 0.05). Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of rating when participants were asked if wearing a posture sensor changed their scaling technique or if wearing a posture sensor changed their posture.

CONCLUSION: Fading biofeedback did not result in changes to student posture while performing dental hygiene procedures compared to not receiving feedback. More research on larger sample sizes and over a longer period with biofeedback may provide more information about the use of biofeedback as a mechanism to improve posture and reduce musculoskeletal risk.

All abstract authors:
Jessica Suedbeck, RDH, MSDH
Elham Alijanpour, Ph.D.(c)