A35 Experimental Examination on Mechanical Relation of the Pillow and Cervical Vertebrae on Supine Position Using Photoelastic Method

Abstract

Sleep is necessary for human health and acttivities. Recently, the sleep problems have become matters of public concern. There is a report that 20 percent of Japanese people have sleep problems. Therefore, the topic of sleep problems have been taken up by the media and increased the number of topics about bedding and bedroom. In particular, pillow have received much attention of many people. The clinical reports showed that pillow is one of the factor for sleep problems. And this report says that sleep problems are related to the height of the pillow. However, there is little for engineering approach about sleep problems and pillow. In this study, stress distribution analysis was done for clarifying mechanical relation of the pillow and cervical vertebrae on spine position. The experiment used 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional photoelastic method. Specimen model was prepared by reference to clinical report. The experimental results shows that concentration notably appeared near the first and sixth cervical vertebrae.