Identifying Facilitators, Barriers, and Potential Solutions of Adopting Exoskeletons and Exosuits in Construction Workplaces

Mahmud, Dilruba; Bennett, Sean T.; Zhu, Zhenhua; Adamczyk, Peter G.; Wehner, Michael; Veeramani, Dharmaraj; Dai, Fei

doi:10.3390/s22249987

Cited by 17 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The age factor can have a significant impact on human function, which may in turn affect the evaluation of exoskeletons by nurses. Some articles have highlighted that younger individuals may be more receptive to the use of exoskeletons compared to older individuals due to differences in physical abilities and preferences [ 39 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Exoskeletons on Nurses’ Quality of Work Life: A Pilot Study at Foch Hospital

Farah,

Roll,

Sorais

et al. 2023

Nursing Reports

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Background: The prevention of occupational risks is part of the quality of work life and it is a component that improves the physical work environment. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how to maintain posture and to reduce pain and fatigue for nurses, with an exoskeleton adapted to the work at hospital. Methods: The exoskeleton was used between 2022 to 2023 at Foch Hospital, France. Phase 1 consisted of the selection of the exoskeleton, and Phase 2 included the testing of the device by the nurses and a questionnaire to assess it. Results: The “active” ATLAS model from JAPET, ensuring lumbar protection, was selected because it corresponds to all the specification criteria to tackle the nurses’ unmet need. Among the 14 healthcare professionals, 86% were women; the age of the nurses was between 23 years old and 58 years old. The global median satisfaction score of the nurses relative to the use of the exoskeleton was 6/10. The median impact of the exoskeleton on nurses’ fatigue was 7/10. Conclusions: The implementation of the exoskeleton received global positive qualitative feedback from the nurses concerning the improvement of posture and the reduction in fatigue and pain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Exoskeletons on Nurses’ Quality of Work Life: A Pilot Study at Foch Hospital

Farah,

Roll,

Sorais

et al. 2023

Nursing Reports

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show abstract

“…Exoskeletons should be designed to integrate seamlessly with existing personal protective equipment (PPE) used by nurses, such as gloves and gowns [ 8 , 56 ]. Compatibility with PPE is crucial to ensure that nurses can continue to perform their tasks safely while wearing exoskeletons.…”

Section: Search Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

Exoskeleton technology in nursing practice: assessing effectiveness, usability, and impact on nurses’ quality of work life, a narrative review

Vallée

2024

BMC Nurs

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The use of exoskeletons in nursing practice has gained attention as a potential solution to address the physical demands and risks associated with the profession. This narrative review examines the effectiveness, usability, and impact of exoskeleton technology on nurses’ quality of work life. The review focuses on the reduction of physical strain and fatigue, improved posture and body mechanics, enhanced patient care, usability and acceptance factors, and the broader impact on work life. The effectiveness of exoskeletons in reducing physical strain and fatigue among nurses is supported by evidence showing decreased muscle activation and reduced forces exerted on the body. The usability and acceptance of exoskeletons are critical considerations, including device comfort and fit, ease of use and integration into workflows, user experience and training, compatibility with the work environment, and user feedback for iterative design improvements. The implementation of exoskeletons has the potential to positively impact nurses’ work life by reducing work-related injuries, improving physical well-being, enhancing job satisfaction, and promoting psychological and psychosocial benefits. Additionally, the use of exoskeletons can lead to improved patient care outcomes. Challenges and future directions in the field of exoskeleton technology for nurses include cost and accessibility, adaptability to nursing specialties and tasks, long-term durability and maintenance, integration with personal protective equipment, and ethical considerations. Addressing these challenges and considering future research and development efforts are crucial for the successful integration of exoskeleton technology in nursing practice, ultimately improving nurses’ quality of work life and patient care delivery.

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“…Mahmud et al [24] identified the facilitator, barriers, and corresponding solutions to overcome the barriers for adoption of EXOs in construction workplaces through a sequential multistage Delphi study. Eighteen experts from academia, industry, and government participated in a workshop to provide insights regarding facilitators, barriers, and potential solutions from a holistic view with respect to business, technology, organization, policy/regulation, ergonomics/safety, and end users.…”

Section: Potential For Exo Use In Constructionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, they try to shift the load from one body part to another (e.g., from the shoulders to the waist), which could lead to wearing discomfort and loss of balance due to changes in the center of gravity [26]. If an EXO does not fit the wearer properly, it may exert pressure on unintended body parts, increasing the risk of MSDs, and can cause muscle atrophy due to continuous support from EXOs, such as back belts [24].…”

Section: Potential For Exo Use In Constructionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Usability and Biomechanical Testing of Passive Exoskeletons for Construction Workers: A Field-Based Pilot Study

et al. 2023

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The labor-intensive nature of the construction industry requires workers to frequently perform physically demanding manual work, thereby exposing them to the risk of musculoskeletal injury (approximately 31.2 cases per 10,000 full-time equivalent workers). Exoskeletons and exosuits (collectively called EXOs here) are designed to protect workers from these injuries by reducing exertion and muscle fatigue during work. However, the usability of EXOs in construction is still not clear. This is because extant EXO assessments in construction were mainly conducted in laboratory environments with test participants who are not construction professionals. In this research, we conducted a pilot study to investigate the usability of EXOs in a real construction workplace. Four experienced workers were recruited to push/empty construction gondolas with and without a Back-Support EXO, HeroWear Apex. Three workers were recruited to install/remove wooden blocks between steel studs with and without two Arm-Support EXOs, i.e., Ekso EVO and Hilti EXO-001. Their motions, postures, heart rates, and task completion times were recorded and compared. The workers were also surveyed to gather their attitudes toward the EXO’s usefulness and ease of use. The study results demonstrated that the workers responded to the use of EXOs differently and consequently were not unanimously in favor of EXO adoption in practice. The preliminary results and findings from this pilot study help in building a foundation of understanding to improve EXO products to fit the needs of construction workers and foster EXO-enabled construction tasks in the future.

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Identifying Facilitators, Barriers, and Potential Solutions of Adopting Exoskeletons and Exosuits in Construction Workplaces

Cited by 17 publications

References 38 publications

Assessment of Exoskeletons on Nurses’ Quality of Work Life: A Pilot Study at Foch Hospital

Assessment of Exoskeletons on Nurses’ Quality of Work Life: A Pilot Study at Foch Hospital

Exoskeleton technology in nursing practice: assessing effectiveness, usability, and impact on nurses’ quality of work life, a narrative review

Usability and Biomechanical Testing of Passive Exoskeletons for Construction Workers: A Field-Based Pilot Study

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