Assessment of the ergonomic risk from saddle and conventional seats in dentistry: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify whether the saddle seat provides lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats in dentistry.MethodsThis review followed the PRISMA statement and a protocol was created and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017074918). Six electronic databases were searched as primary study sources. The "grey literature" was included to prevent selection and publication biases. The risk of bias among the studies included was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for Systematic Reviews. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effect of seat type on the ergonomic risk score in dentistry. The heterogeneity among studies was assessed using I2 statistics.ResultsThe search resulted in 3147 records, from which two were considered eligible for this review. Both studies were conducted with a total of 150 second-year dental students who were starting their laboratory activities using phantom heads. Saddle seats were associated with a significantly lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats [right side (mean difference = -3.18; 95% CI = -4.96, -1.40; p < 0.001) and left side (mean difference = -3.12; 95% CI = -4.56, -1.68; p < 0.001)], indicating posture improvement.ConclusionThe two eligible studies for this review provide moderate evidence that saddle seats provided lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats in the examined population of dental students.

Valoración del riesgo ergonómico de estudiantes de odontología mediante el método Owas

“…Being back problems the highest risk, according to the results obtained; it should be proposed that work chairs for dental professionals and / or students reduce ergonomic risk; however, in a meta-analysis moderate evidence was found that the chairs provide a lower ergonomic risk than conventional seats in an examined population of dental students 14 .…”

“…Siendo los problemas de espalda los de mayor riesgo, según los resultados obtenidos; debería proponerse que los sillones de trabajo para el profesional y/o estudiante de odontología disminuyan el riesgo ergonómico; sin embargo, en una meta análisis se encontró evidencia moderada de que los sillones proporcionen un menor riesgo ergonómico que los asientos convencionales en una población examinada de estudiantes de odontología 14 .…”

“…Un limitante del estudio es que se ha utilizado solo un método de evaluación, los resultados de revisiones sistemáticas sugirieron usar más de una técnica para la evaluación postural 14 ; aunque, falta establecer la aplicabilidad de las técnicas en la odontología en particular. Existen técnicas que aún no se comparan para verificar el acuerdo o la correlación, y que sirven como un vacío de investigación.…”

“…A limitation of the study is that only one evaluation method has been used, the results of systematic reviews suggested using more than one technique for postural evaluation 14 ; although, the applicability of the techniques in dentistry in particular needs to be established. There are techniques that are not yet compared to verify agreement or correlation, and that serve as a research vacuum.…”

Effectiveness of lumbar support with built-in massager system on spinal angle profiles among high-powered traffic police motorcycle riders: A randomised controlled trial

“…To solve this problem, ergonomics is the best solution for scientific research in man-machine interaction at the workplace since this field involves fitting machine to workers comfortability to improve their working performance, reduce fatigue, and stress [ 15 ]. The ergonomic application is very significant in areas involving prolonged and static riding activities that directly affect the riders’ healthy spinal posture and reduce muscle fatigue.…”