ArticleSleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung2024
The impact of pillow height on neck muscle activity: a pilot study.
Article in Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Dynamic versus fixed pillow height systems and cervical muscle function: a randomized crossover trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine · 2026Trial
- Posture management for neck pain: identification and quantification of associated factors based on a multicentre cross-sectional study in China.Journal of global health · 2026Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
purposeMuscle relaxation in the neck during sleep is crucial for achieving quality sleep, and varying pillow heights can significantly influence the myoelectric activity of the neck muscles. This study aims to investigate the effects of different pillow heights on neck muscle activity, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations for pillow selection.
methodsA total of 15 asymptomatic participants in this study, aged 18 to 30, were assigned to three groups based on pillow height: height 1 (0.5*Shoulder width), height 2 (1.0*Shoulder width), and height 3 (1.5*Shoulder width). Electromyography (EMG) was employed to measure muscle activity in the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles during lateral sleeping positions. Sleep comfort was evaluated using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA to assess the differences in muscle activity and comfort levels across the various pillow heights.
resultsThe muscle activation levels revealed that both the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscle exhibited the lowest EMG activity in the height 2 (p < 0.001). In contrast, the sternocleidomastoid muscle recorded the highest activation, demonstrating significantly greater average electromyography (AEMG) and integrated electromyography (iEMG) at height 1 (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the trapezius muscle showed the highest AEMG at height 3 (p < 0.001). Additionally, height 2 was identified as the most comfortable option when compared to height 1 and 3 (p < 0.001).
conclusionsThis study concludes that varying pillow heights are linked to neck muscle activity and sleep comfort. These findings underscore the importance of an appropriate pillow height to maintain a healthy cervical spine and promote restful sleep.
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Registered trials
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