Enhancing cervical spine health: a vibration-focused multibody dynamics model for neck support system design

Abstract Neck injuries can range from mild discomfort to severe disability. Despite the abundance of biomechanical models of the cervical spine in the literature, their capabilities for modal and frequency response analysis are limited. A comprehensive head-cervical spine model was developed to address this gap, enabling frequency domain analysis. A multi-body dynamics (MBD) model with 20 degrees-of-freedom (DoFs) was created using ADAMS software’s frequency response analysis capabilities. This model incorporates elements, including vertebrae, ligaments, and muscles. The validation was performed using OpenSim and existing experimental findings. The model was then employed to conduct a Design of Experiments (DoE) study, where key design factors of a conceptual neck support system were varied. Two vibration objective functions were selected to evaluate the parametric designs. The first function identifies the maximum value of the head’s acceleration, while the second measures overall vibration within the frequency range of interest. In a case study, the model’s capabilities were demonstrated, identifying key design parameters for the neck support system. The methodology has the potential to make significant contributions across multiple industries. Applications range from designing anti-vibration devices to reduce fatigue in the automotive and aerospace sectors to enhancing rehabilitation systems in healthcare, ultimately improving patient exercise effectiveness.