| 51. |
- Elcadi, Guilherme H., 1966-, et al.
(författare)
-
The relationship between oxygenation and myoelectric activity in the forearm and shoulder muscles of males and females
- 2011
-
Ingår i: European Journal of Applied Physiology. - : Springer. - 1439-6319 .- 1439-6327. ; 111, s. 647-658
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim was to investigate the relationship between oxygen saturation (StO(2)%) measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and myoelectric activity (root mean square, RMS) for the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and trapezius muscles. In addition, gender differences were examined for submaximal (10-70% MVC) and sustained (10% MVC for 5 min) isometric contractions. Thirteen males and 15 females participated. Changes in StO(2)% (a dagger StO(2)%) and RMS, expressed as percentages of maximum, were calculated for each submaximal contraction. A good correlation between a dagger StO(2)% and RMS was seen for the ECR (r = -0.53) and a moderate correlation seen for the trapezius muscle (r = -0.44). The ANOVA showed a significant decrease in ECR-a dagger StO(2)% over force with females demonstrating a tendency for larger changes than males. ECR-RMS increased over force with no impact of gender. For the trapezius, a dagger StO(2)% decreased over force but was not gender dependent. Trapezius-RMS increased over force with females demonstrating a tendency for greater change than males. For the sustained contraction, ECR-StO(2)% changed over time but was not gender dependent. ECR-RMS increased over time with females showing a greater response than males. Trapezius-StO(2)% changed over time and differed between genders, i.e., males increased while females decreased. RMS increased over time similarly for both genders. In conclusion, our data show that the ECR and trapezius aerobic demands during isometric contractions are negatively correlated to electromyography (EMG) RMS. The present study also suggests some gender specificity for forearm and shoulder myoelectric activity and oxygenation for submaximal and sustained contractions.
|
|
| 52. |
|
|
| 53. |
- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-
(författare)
-
Ergonomists’ risk assessments : From guesstimates to strategic approaches
- 2020
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most prevalent causes of work-related ill-health, consequently risk assessments of hazardous factors related to these disorders are important for prevention. Occupational Health Services (OHS) providers are independent experts, supporting employers regarding work environment issues and rehabilitation. Ergonomists represents one of the professions within OHS, and risk assessment regarding musculoskeletal disorders is within the scope of their work tasks. The overall objective was to explore Swedish ergonomists’ practices and approaches with risk assessments, in order to contribute new knowledge about how ergonomists’ work methods can be further developed to improve prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Paper I explored the process of risk assessment assignments and the ergonomists’ use of observation-based risk-assessment tools. The result showed a lack of systematic approaches regarding risk assessment assignments and limited use and knowledge of observation-based risk-assessment tools. In Paper II inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of risk assessments, without the use of an explicit observational method were assessed. The results showed a non-acceptable reliability. Paper III explored ergonomists experiences of an e-learning concept for knowledge translation in the OHS context. The e-learning concept was considered as feasible. The knowledge translation inspired increased use of risk-assessment tools, changes in the risk assessment procedures, e.g. selection of tools, and employing a participatory approach. Paper IV described the development of a process model for occupational health surveillance for workers exposed to hand-intensive work (HIW-model), and the studies that will explore the model. Paper V explored company representatives’ experiences of the HIW-model, and factors which facilitated the execution of the model. The model contributed to increased risk awareness and understanding of how individual workers’ musculoskeletal ill-health relates to exposures in work. Facilitating factors were: a joint start-up meeting in which the process was planned, clear communication, and clarity regarding the ownership of the process. In conclusion, the findings showed that ergonomists’ expertise is needed in the entire risk management process and not only in the risk assessment phase. In this process, the ergonomists need to be active and take the expert role (which includes a stocked toolbox) and support the employer through the whole risk management process from initiation to evaluation of risk controlling measures.
|
|
| 54. |
- Eliasson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploring ergonomists' experiences after participation in a theoretical and practical research project in observational risk assessment tools
- 2022
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1080-3548 .- 2376-9130. ; 28:2, s. 1136-1144
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how ergonomists experienced an e-learning concept as a tool for knowledge translation; furthermore, to explore what, if any, impact the knowledge translation had regarding the ergonomists’ work with risk assessments.Methods. Twelve Swedish ergonomists employed in the occupational health service (OHS) participated in a research project, which included an e-learning program in risk assessment training. Focus group interviews and individual interviews were used for data collection. Results. The ergonomists appreciated the e-learning concept, e.g., its flexibility enabled them to decide when and where to practice. The concept was considered feasible within the context of the OHS. The ergonomists experienced an increased knowledge of different observation-based risk assessment tools, which expanded their professional toolboxes. Additionally, they began to reflect more regarding the reliability of risk assessment tools and how to enhance quality in risk assessment assignments.Conclusion. This study showed that e-learning may comprise an efficient knowledge translation for improved risk assessments in the OHS. The program contributed to changes in ergonomists’ risk assessment procedures, e.g., in the selection of tools, increasing the number of observers, employing a participatory approach and more often actively involving stakeholders during the risk assessment process.
|
|
| 55. |
|
|
| 56. |
- Eliasson, Kristina, 1979-
(författare)
-
Occupational health services in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders : Processes, tools and organizational aspects
- 2017
-
Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are associated with high costs and it is essential to prevent them. Occupational Health Services(OHS) provide expert services regarding work environment, health and rehabilitation of work related disorders. Risk assessments of the work environment can be an initial step for preventive measures, and ergonomists can be assigned by clients to assess exposures in the work environment. For such assignments different tools can be used. The aim of this thesis was to explore prerequisites, processes and practices of OHS consultants in Sweden within the domain of primary prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This was explored through the work of ergonomists in their role of assessing ergonomics risks. The research methodology was both quantitative and qualitative. Data collection includes a web questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and inter- and intra-observer reliability tests. The results shows that ergonomics risk assessments were most commonly initiated reactively and a systematic work methodology for the risk assessment process was often lacking. Swedish ergonomists used only a few standardized tools for risk assessment. The Ergonomics provision from the Swedish Work Environment Authority, AFS-98, was widely used, but other observation-based tools were used far less often. Ergonomics risks were often assessed solely by means of observation, based on ergonomists’ knowledge and experience. The results also pointed to that that the reliability was not acceptable when risk assessment was performed without any standardized tool. Furthermore, the results point to that support from the OHS organizations is an important prerequisite for ergonomists to work with primary prevention. Further, opportunities for specialization within a specific industry sector seem to facilitate ergonomic interventions. It is also important to have close relationships with clients and to make them aware about ergonomists competence. Conclusively, this thesis identifies a numbers of areas in which OHS must develop to improve primary preventive services regarding work environment.
|
|
| 57. |
|
|
| 58. |
|
|
| 59. |
- Fan, Xuelong, et al.
(författare)
-
Ergonomic Evaluation of a Prototype Console for Robotic Surgeries via Simulations with Digital Human Manikins
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) Volume V: Human Simulation and Virtual Environments, Work With Computing Systems (WWCS), Process Control. - Cham : Springer International Publishing. - 2194-5365 .- 2194-5357. - 9783319960760 ; 822, s. 351-363
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders impact surgical performance, which increase risks for patient safety. A new console has been designed to reduce workload for robotic surgery surgeons. Due to high costs and long waiting time of the production process, a pre-production ergonomic evaluation of the new design is preferable. In this paper, we evaluate if the new console at the pre-production stage by using an US checklist, and the Swedish standard for visual display unit work. A 3D model of the new designed console was introduced to the virtual environment of a digital manikin (Intelligently Moving Manikin, IMMA). The work-ranges of the console were calculated. Various individual work distances of 12 manikins (3 men and 3 women per each of the US and the Swedish population) were “measured”. The data were integrated and used as an objective reference to compare with the Swedish standard, and the US checklist. The result shows that the criteria in the Swedish standard and the US checklist are fulfilled, except for those are related to the adjustable range of the screen view height, the height range of the armrest and the adjustable distance of the pedals. The new console fulfills most of the criteria in the checklist and the standard, but there is room for a few improvements. The DHM tool IMMA provides the possibility for a pre-production assessment. However, the limited virtual measurement tools of IMMA restrained the time efficiency of the ergonomic assessment.
|
|
| 60. |
- Fan, Xuelong, et al.
(författare)
-
Ergonomics and performance of using prismatic loupes in simulated surgical tasks among surgeons – a randomized controlled, cross-over trial
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Frontiers In Public Health. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-2565. ; 11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Recently developed prismatic loupes may mitigate the high physical workload and risk of neck disorders associated with traditional surgical loupes among surgeons. However, research in this area, particularly among surgeons, is sparse. This study examines the impact of prismatic loupes on surgeons’ physical workload, musculoskeletal discomfort, and performance during simulated surgical tasks. Materials and methods: Nineteen out of twenty recruited surgeons performed three tasks in a fixed-order with their own loupes and both low-tilt (LT) and high-tilt (HT) prismatic loupes, in a randomized order. The primary outcomes were the median inclination angles and velocities of the head, trunk, and upper arms, along with the median muscle activity of the cervical erector spinae (CES), upper trapezius (UT), and lumbar erector spinae (LES) for each pair of loupes. The secondary outcomes included performance (completion time and errors), perceived body-part discomfort, and subjective evaluation of the three pairs of loupes. Results: Using prismatic loupes, either LT or HT, compared with the surgeons’ own loupes yielded lower head inclinations (all p < 0.001), lower neck muscle activity (all p < 0.05), and lower neck discomfort in indirect comparisons (p < 0.01) with no significant difference in surgical errors (p = 0.628). However, HT loupes resulted in a longer task completion time in two tasks (p < 0.001). Most surgeons preferred LT loupes (N = 12) for their comfort and visual functions. Discussion: The results indicate that prismatic loupes can reduce physical workload in the neck during simulated surgical task, with no significant difference in surgical errors. Future studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of prismatic loupes among surgeons.
|
|
