{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,21]],"date-time":"2026-04-21T14:12:54Z","timestamp":1776780774759,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":59,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,11]],"date-time":"2024-07-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1720656000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100003725","name":"National Research Foundation of Korea","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","award":["2020R1A2C1004355"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2020R1A2C1004355"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100003725","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100003725","name":"National Research Foundation of Korea","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","award":["2022R1F1A1062766"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2022R1F1A1062766"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100003725","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS ONE"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The most common risk factor of computer workers is poor head and neck posture. Therefore, upright seated posture has been recommended repeatedly. However, maintaining an upright seated posture is challenging during computer work and induces various complaints, such as fatigue and discomfort, which can interfere working performance. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain an upright posture without complaints or intentional efforts during long-term computer work. Alignment devices are an appropriate maneuver to support postural control for maintaining head-neck orientation and reduce head weight. This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of workstations combined with alignment device on head-neck alignment, muscle properties, comfort and working memory ability in computer workers. Computer workers (n = 37) participated in a total of three sessions (upright computer (CPT_U), upright support computer (CPT_US), traction computer (CPT_T) workstations). The craniovertebral angle, muscles tone and stiffness, visual analog discomfort scale score, 2-back working memory performance, and electroencephalogram signals were measured. All three workstations had a substantial effect on maintaining head-neck alignment (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>&lt; 0.001), but only CPT_US showed significant improvement on psychological comfort (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> = 0.04) and working memory performance (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic> = 0.024), which is consistent with an increase in delta power. CPT_U showed the increased beta 2 activity, discomfort, and false rates compared to CPT_US. CPT_T showed increased alpha and beta 2 activity and decreased delta activity, which are not conductive to working memory performance. In conclusion, CPT_US can effectively induce efficient neural oscillations without causing any discomfort by increasing delta and decreasing beta 2 activity for working memory tasks.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0306966","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,11]],"date-time":"2024-07-11T17:33:33Z","timestamp":1720719213000},"page":"e0306966","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Effects of head alignment devices on working memory and postural support during computer work"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"19","author":[{"given":"Ju-Yeon","family":"Jung","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9573-8432","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Chang-Ki","family":"Kang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"pone.0306966.ref001","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.642616","article-title":"Forced Remote Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: A Mixed-Methods Study on Students\u2019 Positive and Negative Expectations","volume":"12","author":"T Hoss","year":"2021","journal-title":"Frontiers in Psychology"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref002","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.1218","article-title":"Risk factors for generally reduced productivity\u2014a prospective cohort study of young adults with neck or upper-extremity musculoskeletal symptoms","volume":"34","author":"M Bostr\u00f6m","year":"2008","journal-title":"Scand J Work Environ Health"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref003","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"586","DOI":"10.1016\/S0002-9343(00)00538-6","article-title":"Prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in college students","volume":"109","author":"JN Katz","year":"2000","journal-title":"The American Journal of Medicine"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref004","first-page":"387","article-title":"The prevalence of computer-related musculoskeletal complaints in female college students","volume":"24","author":"AG Hamilton","year":"2005","journal-title":"Work"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref005","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.859","article-title":"Risk factors for persistent elbow, forearm and hand pain among computer workers","volume":"31","author":"CF Lassen","year":"2005","journal-title":"Scand J Work Environ Health"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref006","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"399","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.828","article-title":"Neck and shoulder symptoms and disorders among Danish computer workers","volume":"30","author":"LPA Brandt","year":"2004","journal-title":"Scand J Work Environ Health"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref007","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"199","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apergo.2008.04.004","article-title":"Static and dynamic postural loadings during computer work in females: Sitting on an office chair versus sitting on an exercise ball","volume":"40","author":"I Kingma","year":"2009","journal-title":"Applied Ergonomics"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref008","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"306","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.3949","article-title":"Effects of an active break and postural shift intervention on preventing neck and low-back pain among high-risk office workers: a 3-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial","volume":"47","author":"P Waongenngarm","year":"2021","journal-title":"Scand J Work Environ Health"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref009","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1016\/S0141-9382(02)00005-7","article-title":"Study of the seated posture for VDT work","volume":"23","author":"G Fujimaki","year":"2002","journal-title":"Displays"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref010","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"289","DOI":"10.2486\/indhealth.46.289","article-title":"Effects of the height of ball-backrest on head and shoulder posture and trunk muscle activity in VDT workers","volume":"46","author":"W Yoo","year":"2008","journal-title":"Ind Health"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref011","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Commissaris DACM, K\u00f6nemann R, Hiemstra-van Mastrigt S, Burford E-M, Botter J, Douwes M, et al. Effects of a standing and three dynamic workstations on computer task performance and cognitive function tests. Applied Ergonomics. 2014;45: 1570\u20131578. doi:10.1016\/j.apergo.2014.05.003","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apergo.2014.05.003"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref012","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbtep.2016.07.015","article-title":"Upright posture improves affect and fatigue in people with depressive symptoms","volume":"54","author":"C Wilkes","year":"2017","journal-title":"Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref013","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1363","DOI":"10.1177\/0956797610383437","article-title":"Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine Levels and Risk Tolerance","volume":"21","author":"DR Carney","year":"2010","journal-title":"Psychol Sci"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref014","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2016.00257","article-title":"Mobility and Upright Posture Are Associated with Different Aspects of Cognition in Older Adults","volume":"8","author":"RG Cohen","year":"2016","journal-title":"Front Aging Neurosci"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref015","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14254","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph192114254","article-title":"Effects of a Traction Device for Head Weight Reduction and Neutral Alignment during Sedentary Visual Display Terminal (VDT) Work on Postural Alignment, Muscle Properties, Hemodynamics, Preference, and Working Memory Performance","volume":"19","author":"J-Y Jung","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref016","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"48","DOI":"10.12674\/ptk.2016.23.3.048","article-title":"Effect of Tactile Feedback on Trunk Posture and EMG Activity in People With Postural Kyphosis During VDT Work","volume":"23","author":"J Park","year":"2016","journal-title":"Physical Therapy Korea"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref017","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"562","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2019.0610","article-title":"Sit Up Straight\u201d: Time to Re-evaluate","volume":"49","author":"D Slater","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Orthop Sports Phys Ther"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref018","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"583","DOI":"10.1177\/1073858418809074","article-title":"Low Back Pain: The Potential Contribution of Supraspinal Motor Control and Proprioception","volume":"25","author":"ML Meier","year":"2019","journal-title":"Neuroscientist"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref019","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"228","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2012.12.007","article-title":"Precision control of trunk movement in low back pain patients","volume":"32","author":"NW Willigenburg","year":"2013","journal-title":"Human Movement Science"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref020","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"229","DOI":"10.2340\/16501977-0927","article-title":"Clinical response and autonomic modulation as seen in heart rate variability in mechanical intermittent cervical traction: a pilot study","volume":"44","author":"PJ Pan","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Rehabil Med"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref021","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107465","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107465","article-title":"Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation modulates attentional resource deployment towards social cues","volume":"143","author":"MJ Maraver","year":"2020","journal-title":"Neuropsychologia"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref022","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yebeh.2003.11.007","article-title":"Vagus nerve stimulation: mood and cognitive effects","volume":"5","author":"SC Schachter","year":"2004","journal-title":"Epilepsy & Behavior"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref023","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"668","DOI":"10.3390\/brainsci10100668","article-title":"Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Modulates EEG Microstates and Delta Activity in Healthy Subjects","volume":"10","author":"L Ricci","year":"2020","journal-title":"Brain Sciences"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref024","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"320","DOI":"10.1523\/JNEUROSCI.1361-20.2020","article-title":"Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Humans Induces Pupil Dilation and Attenuates Alpha Oscillations","volume":"41","author":"O Sharon","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Neurosci"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref025","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1359","DOI":"10.1080\/00140139.2020.1784467","article-title":"Brain activity during a working memory task in different postures: an EEG study","volume":"63","author":"J-Y Jung","year":"2020","journal-title":"Ergonomics"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref026","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1031","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.26.1031","article-title":"Effects of Visual Display Terminal Works on Cervical Movement Pattern in Patients with Neck Pain","volume":"26","author":"J-H Jang","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Phys Ther Sci"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref027","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"713","DOI":"10.1002\/jor.1100060514","article-title":"Analysis and measurement of neck loads","volume":"6","author":"SP Moroney","year":"1988","journal-title":"J Orthop Res"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref028","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"200","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2017.6914","article-title":"Cervical Traction for Managing Neck Pain: A Survey of Physical Therapists in the United States","volume":"47","author":"TJ Madson","year":"2017","journal-title":"Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref029","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"447","DOI":"10.1097\/BRS.0000000000002874","article-title":"Changes in the Sagittal Cranio-Cervical Posture Following a 12-Week Intervention Using a Simple Spinal Traction Device","volume":"44","author":"D Shahar","year":"2019","journal-title":"Spine"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref030","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"714","DOI":"10.1080\/0014013031000090107","article-title":"Posture, muscle activity and muscle fatigue in prolonged VDT work at different screen height settings","volume":"46","author":"J Seghers","year":"2003","journal-title":"Ergonomics"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref031","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2014.00171","article-title":"The effect of body posture on cognitive performance: a question of sleep quality","volume":"8","author":"M Muehlhan","year":"2014","journal-title":"Frontiers in Human Neuroscience"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref032","article-title":"Exploring EEG Effective Connectivity Network in Estimating Influence of Color on Emotion and Memory","volume":"13","author":"MT Chai","year":"2019","journal-title":"Frontiers in Neuroinformatics"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref033","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2017.00601","article-title":"MATLAB Toolboxes for Reference Electrode Standardization Technique (REST) of Scalp EEG","volume":"11","author":"L Dong","year":"2017","journal-title":"Frontiers in Neuroscience"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref034","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fnint.2013.00083","article-title":"The functional significance of delta oscillations in cognitive processing","volume":"7","author":"T. Harmony","year":"2013","journal-title":"Front Integr Neurosci"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref035","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.25081\/imrj.2021.v11.7275","article-title":"Diffuse scattering model for human brain wave (Alpha) propagation prediction during meditation inside a temple, through ray tracing, a hypothetical study","author":"M Bharti","year":"2021","journal-title":"International Multidisciplinary Research Journal"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref036","first-page":"51","volume-title":"Introduction to EEG- and Speech-Based Emotion Recognition","author":"Academic Press","year":"2016"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref037","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.1016\/S0167-8760(00)00145-8","article-title":"Gamma, alpha, delta, and theta oscillations govern cognitive processes","volume":"39","author":"E Ba\u015far","year":"2001","journal-title":"International journal of psychophysiology"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref038","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"671","DOI":"10.1038\/nmeth.2089","article-title":"NIH Image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis","volume":"9","author":"CA Schneider","year":"2012","journal-title":"Nat Methods"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref039","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1834-7819.1994.tb05545.x","article-title":"An investigation of discomfort experienced by dental therapists and assistants at work","volume":"39","author":"JL Visser","year":"1994","journal-title":"Australian Dental Journal"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref040","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1153","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1553-2712.2001.tb01132.x","article-title":"Reliability of the Visual Analog Scale for Measurement of Acute Pain","volume":"8","author":"PE Bijur","year":"2001","journal-title":"Academic Emergency Medicine"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref041","first-page":"19","article-title":"\u201cIt\u2019s Not Pain It\u2019s Discomfort\u201d: Development and Investigation of a Discomfort Measurement Scale","volume":"2019","author":"N Harland","year":"2019","journal-title":"Pain and Rehabilitation \u2010 the Journal of Physiotherapy Pain Association"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref042","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"E5572","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17155572","article-title":"Thermotherapy Plus Neck Stabilization Exercise for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain in Elderly: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"17","author":"H-J Shin","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref043","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijosm.2007.08.002","article-title":"The effects of high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation and muscle energy technique on suboccipital tenderness","volume":"10","author":"L Hamilton","year":"2007","journal-title":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref044","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"302","DOI":"10.14474\/ptrs.2020.9.4.302","article-title":"Correlation between contraction ratio, endurance, and muscle tone of cervical muscles","volume":"9","author":"J-H Hong","year":"2020","journal-title":"Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref045","first-page":"76","article-title":"Trapezius muscle tone and viscoelastic properties in sitting and supine positions","volume":"3","author":"R Viir","year":"2007","journal-title":"SJWEH Supplements"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref046","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmpt.2019.02.005","article-title":"Influence of Forward Head Posture on Myotonometric Measurements of Superficial Neck Muscle Tone, Elasticity, and Stiffness in Asymptomatic Individuals With Sedentary Jobs","volume":"42","author":"P Kocur","year":"2019","journal-title":"Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref047","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcm.2020.07.002","article-title":"Influence of Forward Head Posture on Cervicocephalic Kinesthesia and Electromyographic Activity of Neck Musculature in Asymptomatic Individuals","volume":"19","author":"A Khan","year":"2020","journal-title":"Journal of Chiropractic Medicine"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref048","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.7600\/jspfsm.58.91","article-title":"Muscle strength and electromyography analysis of the neck during chin-in posture","volume":"58","author":"Y Ichiki","year":"2009","journal-title":"Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref049","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"785","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.26.785","article-title":"Changes in neck muscle thickness due to differences in intermittent cervical traction force measured by ultrasonography","volume":"26","author":"K. Kuniyasu","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Phys Ther Sci"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref050","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1103","DOI":"10.1007\/s10071-023-01768-z","article-title":"Under pressure: the interaction between high-stakes contexts and individual differences in decision-making in humans and non-human species","volume":"26","author":"MJ Sosnowski","year":"2023","journal-title":"Anim Cogn"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref051","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1037\/h0031332","article-title":"Test anxiety and direction of attention","volume":"76","author":"J. Wine","year":"1971","journal-title":"Psychological Bulletin"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref052","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"114","DOI":"10.1016\/j.brainres.2006.03.010","article-title":"Comparative analysis of event-related potentials during Go\/NoGo and CPT: Decomposition of electrophysiological markers of response inhibition and sustained attention","volume":"1104","author":"E Kirmizi-Alsan","year":"2006","journal-title":"Brain Research"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref053","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1147","DOI":"10.1111\/ggi.13327","article-title":"Physiological and psychological effects of gardening activity in older adults","volume":"18","author":"A Hassan","year":"2018","journal-title":"Geriatrics & Gerontology International"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref054","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101321","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jenvp.2019.101321","article-title":"Brain activity, underlying mood and the environment: A systematic review","volume":"65","author":"MF Norwood","year":"2019","journal-title":"Journal of Environmental Psychology"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref055","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"877","DOI":"10.1093\/cercor\/12.8.877","article-title":"Oscillations in the alpha band (9\u201312 Hz) increase with memory load during retention in a short-term memory task","volume":"12","author":"O Jensen","year":"2002","journal-title":"Cereb Cortex"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref056","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8231","DOI":"10.1523\/JNEUROSCI.1163-19.2019","article-title":"Beta Oscillations in Working Memory, Executive Control of Movement and Thought, and Sensorimotor Function","volume":"39","author":"R Schmidt","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Neurosci"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref057","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e0171913","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0171913","article-title":"Differential effects of ongoing EEG beta and theta power on memory formation","volume":"12","author":"S Scholz","year":"2017","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref058","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"618","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2006.07.027","article-title":"Digit displacement, not object compliance, underlies task dependent modulations in human corticomuscular coherence","volume":"33","author":"CN Riddle","year":"2006","journal-title":"NeuroImage"},{"key":"pone.0306966.ref059","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"156","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conb.2010.02.015","article-title":"Beta-band oscillations\u2014signalling the status quo?","volume":"20","author":"AK Engel","year":"2010","journal-title":"Current Opinion in Neurobiology"}],"container-title":["PLOS ONE"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0306966","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,11]],"date-time":"2024-07-11T17:34:27Z","timestamp":1720719267000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0306966"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Ravi Shankar Yerragonda","family":"Reddy","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"editor","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,11]]},"references-count":59,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,11]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0306966","relation":{},"ISSN":["1932-6203"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1932-6203","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,11]]}}}