Quantitative description of two sitting postures. With and without a lumbar support pillow.

This study investigated changes in angular position of the forearm, upper arm, pelvis, trunk, neck, and head during relaxed sitting with and without a lumbar support pillow. Data markers were placed on specified anatomical sites of 19 healthy adults (10 women and 9 men) who then had sagittal plane photographs taken in the two different sitting postures. Using a protractor, we measured segment angles with respect to the horizontal on all photographs. Use of the lumbar support pillow during relaxed sitting showed a significant difference (p less than or equal to .05) in the segment angles of forearm, upper arm, pelvis, and trunk. The use of a lumbar support pillow to change sitting posture is supported.