A quantitative assessment of the effects of passive upper extremity exoskeletons on expert cardiovascular sonographers’ muscle activity and posture while performing transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE)

Tetteh, Emmanuel; Koenig, Jordyn; Wang, Tianke; Cain, S. M.; Bremer, Merri L.; Norasi, Hamid; Kane, Garvan C.; Hallbeck, M. Susan

doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103421

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103421

|View full text |Cite

A quantitative assessment of the effects of passive upper extremity exoskeletons on expert cardiovascular sonographers’ muscle activity and posture while performing transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE)

Emmanuel Tetteh

Jordyn Koenig

Tianke Wang

et al.

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2023

2024

Publication Types

Select...

Article2

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent2

Authors

Journals

Cited by 2 publications

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Comparison of active and passive back-support exoskeletons for construction work: range of motion, discomfort, usability, exertion and cognitive load assessments

Okunola,

Akanmu,

Yusuf

2023

SASBE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeLow back disorders are more predominant among construction trade workers than their counterparts in other industry sectors. Floor layers are among the top artisans that are severely affected by low back disorders. Exoskeletons are increasingly being perceived as ergonomic solutions. This study aims to compare the efficacy of passive and active back-support exoskeletons by measuring range of motion, perceived discomfort, usability, perceived rate of exertion and cognitive load during a simulated flooring task experiment.Design/methodology/approachIn this study eight participants were engaged in a repetitive timber flooring task performed with passive and active back-support exoskeletons. Subjective and objective data were collected to assess the risks associated with using both exoskeletons. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Scheirer-Ray-Hare test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were adopted to compare the exoskeleton conditions.FindingsThe results show no significant differences in the range of motion (except for a lifting cycle), perceived level of discomfort and perceived level of exertion between the two exoskeletons. Significant difference in overall cognitive load was observed. The usability results show that the active back-support exoskeleton made task execution easier with less restriction on movement.Research limitations/implicationsThe flooring task is simulated in a laboratory environment with only eight male participants.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the scarce body of knowledge on the usage comparison of passive and active exoskeletons for construction work.

show abstract

Comparison of active and passive back-support exoskeletons for construction work: range of motion, discomfort, usability, exertion and cognitive load assessments

Okunola,

Akanmu,

Yusuf

2023

SASBE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Evaluation of a Passive Upper Extremity Exoskeleton on Reducing Discomfort and Workload in Cardiac Sonographers

Wang,

Hallbeck,

Martineau

et al. 2024

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cardiac sonographers are frequently exposed to ergonomic risks such as postural stress and high levels of physical exertion while performing scanning tasks, contributing to work-related pain, and discomfort among cardiac sonographers. Passive exoskeletons are a potential ergonomic intervention with the potential to mitigate some of the risks associated with scanning. This study examined the effectiveness of a passive upper body exoskeleton in reducing the levels of work-related pain, discomfort, and workload in cardiac sonographers while performing transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE). Twelve cardiac sonographers were asked to use the HAPO FRONT exoskeleton while performing TTEs during a full workday. Participants were asked to rate their body part discomfort and workload throughout the day, both with and without the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton did not significantly decrease discomfort or workload associated with performing TTEs, except for a slight reduction in the discomfort at the left hand/wrist. This result indicates that the HAPO FRONT was not effective or appropriate for use by cardiac sonographers. Future development and study of purpose-designed exoskeletons for healthcare applications may provide greater benefits to cardiac sonographers.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

A quantitative assessment of the effects of passive upper extremity exoskeletons on expert cardiovascular sonographers’ muscle activity and posture while performing transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE)

Cited by 2 publications

References 24 publications

Comparison of active and passive back-support exoskeletons for construction work: range of motion, discomfort, usability, exertion and cognitive load assessments

Comparison of active and passive back-support exoskeletons for construction work: range of motion, discomfort, usability, exertion and cognitive load assessments

Evaluation of a Passive Upper Extremity Exoskeleton on Reducing Discomfort and Workload in Cardiac Sonographers

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About