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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:Linklings LLC
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TZID:America/Chicago
X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Chicago
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TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
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DTSTART:19700308T020000
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DTSTART:19701101T020000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20251016T135137Z
LOCATION:Grand Hall G/H
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T165000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T171000
UID:HFESAM_ASPIRE 2025_sess169_LBR115@linklings.com
SUMMARY:A 3D-Printed Shoulder Support to Reduce Neck Strain During Prolong
 ed VR Device Use: Pilot Findings
DESCRIPTION:Felipe Santos and Changwon Son (Texas Tech University)\n\nProl
 onged use of virtual reality (VR) headsets has been linked to increased ne
 ck muscle fatigue and discomfort, posing ergonomic concerns for both recre
 ational and occupational users. To address this, we developed a novel VR h
 eadset support system—VR Brace (VRB)—using 3D scanning, CAD modeling, and 
 fused deposition modeling 3D printing. The VRB was engineered to transfer 
 the load of the headset from the cervical spine to the shoulders, aiming t
 o reduce neck musculoskeletal strain without compromising headset function
 ality. This study compared three VR support conditions: standard head-stra
 p (Control), a literature-based spring system (Spring), and the newly deve
 loped VRB, while using a 0.5 kg VR (Meta Quest-3). Participants completed 
 three prolonged VR-based simulated office tasks (document creation, Fitts’
  Law, and video watching) while surface electromyography and subjective di
 scomfort ratings (Borg CR10) were collected. Results showed that the VRB y
 ielded improved comfort for facial pressure (3.8 ± 2.6) compared to Contro
 l (4.2 ± 2.3) and considerably reduced upper trapezius muscle activation d
 uring document and video tasks. Notably, the VRB group reported greater ne
 ck discomfort scores (4.6 ± 2.6), likely due to joint resistance during he
 ad movement, although cervical extensors still showed decreased fatigue tr
 ends. These findings suggest the VRB's design redistributed headset weight
  effectively, but refinement in joint mechanics is needed. Our pilot data 
 highlighted the feasibility and promise of using 3D printed ergonomic solu
 tions to mitigate VR-induced discomfort and fatigue, supporting the VRB’s 
 potential as a scalable intervention for safer VR integration in long-dura
 tion tasks.\n\nTrack: General Sessions\n\nSession Chair: Abigail Jei (Texa
 s A&M University)\n\n
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