Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Effect of Posture Feedback Training on Health

  • Published:
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Collapsed or slouching posture has been associated with negative health outcomes such as pain, depression, and overall stress ratings as well as declines in general health, emotional well-being, and energy/fatigue levels. Currently, wearable devices and accompanying smartphone applications (apps) can provide feedback about shifting posture (e.g., erect vs. collapsed or slouching positions), as well as provide suggestions that support positive posture awareness. This study investigates the effect of a wearable ‘UpRight’ posture-feedback device on self-reports of pain, mood, and performance in comparison to a non-treatment control group. 56 Student participants filled out the SF-36 RAND Health Survey at the beginning and end of the 4-week study. The treatment group (n = 13) used a wearable device for at least 15 min per day, for 4 weeks, while a matched comparison group (n = 13) participated without the device over the same period. Evaluations before and after the 4 weeks included the SF-36, as well as qualitative descriptions of their experiences. The treatment group significantly improved on the SF-36 measures of physical functioning, emotions, energy/fatigue, confidence and overall stress ratings, as well as on subjective ratings of neck and back posture as compared to the control group. The wearable biofeedback device positively influenced awareness of neck and back posture, as well as key measures on the RAND SF-36 Health Survey. This study provides preliminary support that a wearable posture feedback device is a useful tool to teach posture awareness and improve well-being.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, F. M. (2001). The use of self. London: Orion Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin, P. C. (2011). An introduction to propensity score methods for reducing the effects of confounding in observational studies. Multivariate Behavioral Research,46(3), 399–424. https://doi.org/10.1080/00273171.2011.568786.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bongers, P. M., Ijmker, S., van den Heuvel, S., & Blatter, B. M. (2006). Epidemiology of work related neck and upper limb problems: Psychosocial and personal risk factors (Part I) and effective interventions from a bio behavioural perspective (Part II). Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation,16, 272–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briñol, P., Petty, R. E., & Wagner, B. (2009). Body posture effects on self-evaluation: A self-validation approach. European Journal of Social Psychology,39, 1053–1064. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caliendo, M., & Kopeinig, S. (2008). Some practical guidance for the implementation of propensity score matching. Journal of Economic Surveys,22(1), 31–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6419.2007.00527.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canales, J. Z., Cordas, T. A., Fiquer, J. T., Cavalcante, A. F., & Moreno, R. A. (2010). Posture and body image in individuals with major depressive disorder: A controlled study. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria,32(4), 375–380. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-44462010000400010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cappelleri, J. C., Bushmakin, A. G., McDermott, A. M., Sadosky, A. B., Petrie, C. D., & Martin, S. (2009). Psychometric properties of a single-item scale to assess sleep quality among individuals with fibromyalgia. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes,7(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-7-54.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Carifio, J., & Perla, R. (2007). Ten common misunderstandings, misconceptions, persistent myths and urban legends about Likert scales and Likert response formats and their antidotes. Journal of Social Sciences, 2, 106–116. https://www.scipub.org/fulltext/jss/jss33106-116.pdf.

  • Carney, D. R., Cuddy, A. J., & Yap, A. J. (2010). Power posing: brief nonverbal displays affect neuroendocrine levels and risk tolerance. Psychological Science,10, 1363–1868. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610383437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuddy, A. (2012). Your body language shapes who you are. Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) Talk. www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.

  • De Boer, A. G. E. M., Van Lanschot, J. J. B., Stalmeier, P. F. M., Van Sandick, J. W., Hulscher, J. B., De Haes, J. C. J. M., et al. (2004). Is a single-item visual analogue scale as valid, reliable and responsive as multi-item scales in measuring quality of life? Quality of Life Research,13(2), 311–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elo, A. L., Leppänen, A., & Jahkola, A. (2003). Validity of a single-item measure of stress symptoms. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health,29, 444–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs, C., & Diamantopoulos, A. (2009). Using single-item measures for construct measurement in management research: Conceptual issues and application guidelines. Die Betriebswirtschaft,69(2), 195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallese, V., & Sinigaglia, C. (2011). What is so special about embodied simulation? Trends in Cognitive Sciences,15(11), 512–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2011.09.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, D. G., Cummings, L. L., Dunham, R. B., & Pierce, J. L. (1998). Single-item versus multiple-item measurement scales: An empirical comparison. Educational and Psychological Measurement,58(6), 898–915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gelb, M. (2005). Body learning: An introduction to the Alexander technique. London: Aurum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glass, G. V., Peckham, P. D., & Sanders, J. R. (1972). Consequences of failure to meet assumptions underlying the fixed effects analyses of variance and covariance. Review of Educational Research,42(3), 237–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imai, K., King, G., & Stuart, E. A. (2008). Misunderstandings among experimentalists and observationalists in causal inference. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A,171(2), 481–502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamieson, S. (2004). Likert scales: How to (ab)use them. Medical Education,38, 1212–1218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkinson, C., Coulter, A., & Wright, L. (1993). Short form 36 (SF36) health survey questionnaire: Normative data for adults of working age. British Medical Journal,306, 1437–1440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, F. P. (1997). Freedom to change. London: Moritz Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimberlin, C. L., & Winterstein, A. G. (2008). Validity and reliability of measurement instruments used in research. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy,65(23), 2276–2284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C., & Bobko, P. (1994). Self-efficacy beliefs: Comparison of five measures. Journal of Applied Psychology,79(3), 364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lins, L., & Carvalho, F. M. (2016). SF-36 total score as a single measure of health-related quality of life: Scoping review. SAGE Open Medicine,4, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312116671725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michalak, J., Mischnat, J., & Teismann, T. (2014). Sitting posture makes a difference-embodiment effects on depressive memory bias. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy,21(6), 519–524. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1890.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peper, E., Booiman, A., Lin, I. M., & Harvey, R. (2016). Increase strength and mood with posture. Biofeedback,44(2), 66–72. https://doi.org/10.5298/1081-5937-44.2.04.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radhakrishnan, R., Senthil, P., Rathnamala, D., & Gandhi, P. S. (2015). Effectiveness of global posture re-education on pain and improving quality of life in women with chronic neck pain. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health,1, 7–9. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322008000600010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum, P. R., & Rubin, D. B. (1983). The central role of the propensity score in observational studies for causal effects. Biometrika,70(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1093/biomet/70.1.41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shafir, T. (2016). Using movement to regulate emotion: Neurophysiological findings and their application in psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychology,7, 1451. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01451.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Steward, A., Sherbourne, C. D., Hayes, R. D., Wells, K. B., Nelson, E. C., Kamberg, C., …,Ware, J. E. (1992). Summary and discussion of MOS measures. In A. L. Stewart & J. E. Ware (Eds.), Measuring functioning and well-being: The medical outcome study approach (pp. 345–371). Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

  • Stuart, E. A. (2010). Matching methods for causal inference: A review and a look forward. Statistical Science,25(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1214/09-STS313.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thrasher, M., Van der Zwaag, M. D., Bianchi-Berthouze, N., & Westerink, J. H. D. M. (2011). Mood recognition based on upper body posture and movement features. In Paper session presented at the meeting of International conference on affective computing and intelligent interaction, Memphis, TN, USA.

  • Tsai, H. Y., Peper, E., & Lin, I. M. (2016). EEG patterns under positive/negative body postures and emotion recall tasks. NeuroRegulation,3(1), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.3.1.23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukimoto, G. R., Riberto, M., de Brito, C. A., & Battistella, L. R. (2016). Longitudinal evaluation of posture school for low back pain by the questionnaires Rolland Morris and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Acta Fisiátrica,13(2), 63–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ware, J. E., & Sherbourne, C. D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36): I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care,30, 473–483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkes, C., Kydd, R., Sagar, M., & Broadbent, E. (2017). Upright posture improves affect and fatigue in people with depressive symptoms. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry,54, 143–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.07.015.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, V. E., & Peper, E. (2004). The effects of upright and slumped postures on the recall of positive and negative thoughts. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback,29(3), 189–195. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APBI.0000039057.32963.34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank Professor Andrasik for his editorial feedback and direction.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erik Peper.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Erik Peper received a donation of 15 UpRight devices for use in the classroom setting. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Harvey, R.H., Peper, E., Mason, L. et al. Effect of Posture Feedback Training on Health. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 45, 59–65 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-020-09457-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-020-09457-0

Keywords

Navigation