Effects of an adapted hair brush on reducing upper limb physical load in women with long hair

Background (or Rationale) Hair brushing is a daily self-care activity that requires considerable upper limb mobility, particularly in the shoulder. This task can become physically demanding and uncomfortable for individuals with musculoskeletal limitations. Assistive devices designed to optimize ergonomics may help reduce strain and improve independence in grooming activities. However, there is no clear evidence that an adapted brush may reduce the physical load and improve the activity on women. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the effects of an adapted hairbrush featuring an elongated and thickened handle on physical load, compared to a standard brush, during hair brushing in women. Methods A within-subject experimental design was performed with 24 young women evaluating the percentage of muscle contraction with a surface electromyograph, the ranges of joint movement through photogrammetric techniques, and the perception of physical effort through the Borg Scale. Results The use of the adapted brush reduced up to 11% of the CMV in the anterior deltoid muscle ( p = 0.001), evidences greater presence of comfort angles in the shoulder ( p < 0.05) and, finally, significant differences were evidenced between the perceived effort when using a regular brush (Mdn = 5; IQR = 2) and an adapted brush (Mdn = 3; IQR = 1.5; p = 0.007). Conclusions The adapted brush presents itself as a valuable tool to promote independence and well-being by significantly reducing the physical burden during hair brushing, offering a solution for people with upper limb limitations.