Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42017414›Full record

Trial reportEuropean journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine2026

Dynamic versus fixed pillow height systems and cervical muscle function: a randomized crossover trial.

Sirirat Kiatkulanusorn, Nongnuch Luangpon, Kultida Klarod, Sarawoot Watechagit, Kosai Kiatkulanusorn, Warannida Kleawyothatis, Oranat Sukkho

Abstract readRandomized Controlled TrialComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sirirat KiatkulanusornDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand - siriratk@go.buu.ac.th.
Nongnuch LuangponDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.
Kultida KlarodDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.
Sarawoot WatechagitFaculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Kosai KiatkulanusornFaculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Warannida KleawyothatisDepartment of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Oranat SukkhoDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPillow height and mechanical support influence cervical alignment and neuromuscular load. However, the physiological effects of dynamically adjustable pillow systems remain poorly defined.

aimTo compare the effects of fixed and dynamically adjustable pillow height inserts on cervical muscle oxygenation, neuromuscular modulation, and comfort in healthy young adults.

designRandomized crossover trial.

settingControlled laboratory setting simulating sleep-related postures. POPULATION: Thirty healthy adults (18-45 years) without cervical or musculoskeletal disorders.

methodsParticipants underwent six pillow conditions: no pillow (NP), non-adjustable polyester pillow (NA), three fixed inserts (memory foam [MF], latex [LT], polyester fiber [PE]), and a dynamically adjustable air-based (DA). Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO<inf>2</inf>) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and upper trapezius (UT) was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy. Surface electromyography (EMG) was analyzed via root mean square (RMS) and zero-crossing (ZC) slopes, representing adaptive motor unit recruitment and firing modulation.

resultsRepeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant pillow effect for SmO<inf>2</inf> (SCM: η

conclusionsDA pillows may enhance cervical oxygenation, adaptive neuromuscular control, and comfort compared with fixed-height systems. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: DA pillows may provide individualized ergonomic support to improve cervical alignment and comfort.

Indexed as

Bedding and LinensNeck MusclesAdolescentAdultCross-Over StudiesElectromyographyEquipment DesignFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostureSpectroscopy, Near-InfraredYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID42017414
PMCPMC13347137

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.