Prolonged use of computer or electronic products, including mobile devices and smartphones, can be a major cause of neck and shoulder pain. In view of this, Dr Grace Szeto at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is collaborating with orthopaedics specialists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong to investigate the effectiveness of Ergomotor intervention which combines the application of ergonomics principles and clinical postural correction in rectifying neck and shoulder disorders.

In conducting the research, Dr Szeto specializes in the measurement and analysis of biomechanical data such as surface electromyography (EMG) and kinematics. EMG is the study of electrical signals when muscles are activated while kinematics is the study of motion. Her current study examines the effects of combining ergonomic intervention and postural re-education on patients with work-related chronic neck and shoulder pain.

3D motion analysis using advanced wireless motion sensor system and wireless EMG measurement system are the latest equipment being used to capture simultaneous movement and muscle activity data when the subjects perform a variety of tasks. These tasks include large amplitude movements such as lifting the arm up and down, lifting an object up and down, forward and backward motion, etc. These equipment are also used to study the muscle activity when people are using mobile phones. By understanding how muscles are working and patients' postures, more effective treatment and postural re-education can be performed on patients with neck and shoulder pain.