This document describes an experiment using Postuino, a device that detects bad posture while using computers. The experiment involved 24 engineering students using computers for 3 hours with and without Postuino enabled. Postuino recorded posture data and participants provided feedback. Results showed that Postuino helped reduce pain by detecting bad posture and encouraging breaks. Mounting Postuino on top of screens provided better readings than beside screens. Light alerts were preferred for public use, while combined light and sound alerts minimized slouching the most. In conclusion, Postuino can help improve posture and reduce computer-related muscle pain.

1. Detecting and Minimizing Bad
Posture using Postuino Among
Engineering Students
Reem Alattas

2. Agenda
• Introduction
• Related Work
• Postuino
• Experiment Design
• Conclusion

3. Introduction
• Computers are considered as an
essential part of our daily life.
• Using a computer for long periods
often results in postural compromises,
such as
– Kyphosis
– Short hip flexors and quadriceps
– Forward head position

4. RELATED WORK
BASN

5. POSTUINO
An efficient small device that warns the
computer users if they are leaning too
close towards the computer screen, by
measuring the distance between the
user and computer monitor in order to
indicate if the user is leaning too close
towards the computer monitor.

6. Postuino Circuit Design

7. Postuino Schematic

8. Distance Measurement
• distance in inches =
(duration/74)/2
• distance in
centimeters =
(duration/29)/2
20” – 40”

9. Data Visualization
• Since human brains
process visual
information
efficiently, we
visualized the
collected data
using Plotly.

10. Web Application

11. EXPERIMENT DESIGN
• 24 subjects.
• Postuino recorded elapsed time, including straight and slouch time.
• Phase 1:
– Using computer for 3 consecutive hours
– Postuino disabled
• Phase 2:
– Using computer for 3 consecutive hours
– Postuino enabled & mounted on top of the computer
monitor
• light only
• sound only
• both light and sound
• Phase 3:
– Using computer for 3 consecutive hours
– Postuino enabled & mounted next to the computer
monitor
• light only
• sound only
• both light and sound
• Data was collected using Postuino and
questionnaires.

12. Participants
• 24 engineering graduate students
• All have experienced computer
related injury during their graduate
study.

13. Participants
SAMPLE DEMOGRAHICS
Participants
(N=24)
Gender: Male 62.5% (15)
Age: 24-29 75% (18)
Age: 30-35 25% (6)
Number of Students per
Engineering Major

14. Participants
Hours per week of
Computer Use
Prevalence of Computer-
related Injuries

15. Evaluation
Wong-Baker Faces Pain
Rating Scale
Pain Level During Computing (In
General and During Phase 1, 2, 3)

16. Evaluation
Postuino’s Preferred Position
Postuino’s Preferred Alert
Method

17. Evaluation
Did Break Reminders help in
improving the situation? Sraight Time vs. Slouch Time for a Randomly
Selected User in Phase 1,2, and 3

18. CONCLUSION
• Improving the posture helps reducing muscle and
joint pain that is related to computer use.
• Using Postuino is recommended to:
– detect bad posture
– minimize slouch time
– suggest frequent breaks
• Mounting Postuino on top of the screen gave
better readings.
• Enabling light alert only while disabling sound
alerts allows users to use Postuino in public places
for maximum benefit and better productivity.
• Combining sound and light alerts yields the best
results in minimizing slouch time.

19. Thank You!
Questions???