The compatibility of exoskeletons in perioperative environments and workflows: an analysis of surgical team members’ perspectives and workflow simulation

Gonzales, Alec; Barbieri, Dechristian França; Carbonell, Alfredo M.; Joseph, Anthony; Srinivasan, Divya; Cha, Jackie

doi:10.1080/00140139.2023.2240045

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“… 21 Exoskeletons are now also being used in surgery. 22 Under simulated conditions, the use of exoskeletons was shown measurably to reduce the strain on neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles. 23 , 24 This is consistent with the results of our study, in which wearing the exoskeleton did not increase shoulder pain during the operation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of an upper body exoskeleton for surgeons on postoperative neck, back, and shoulder complaints

Nutz,

Jarvers,

Theopold

et al. 2024

Journal of Occupational Health

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Objectives: Surgeons are exposed to high levels of physical stress while working in the operating room. In industry, so-called exoskeletons are used to support the back and shoulder area. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effects of an upper body exoskeleton on postoperative physical complaints of surgeons. Methods: Surgeons from a university hospital in the fields of orthopaedics, trauma- and visceral surgery performed two operations of the same type and planned length on two different days. The first operation was performed without an exoskeleton, the second with an exoskeleton. The participants completed questionnaires on shoulder pain (SPADI), neck pain (VAS and NDI) and back pain (VAS and ODI) before and after the procedure. Results: A total of 25 participants were included and performed 50 surgeries with a mean surgery duration of 144 min without and 138 min with exoskeleton. Without the exoskeleton, the activity of the operation resulted in a significant increase of the VAS neck by 1.0 points (SD 1.2, p < 0.001), NDI by 4.8 (SD 8.6; p = 0.010), VAS back by 0.7 (SD 1.0, p = 0.002), and ODI by 2.7 (SD 4.1, p = 0.003). With the exoskeleton the the participants reported about significant less complaints after the surgery (VAS neck: p = 0.001, NDI: p = 0.003, VAS back: p = 0.036, ODI: p = 0.036, SPADI: p = 0.016) Conclusion: An upper body exoskeleton can significantly reduce the discomfort in the neck, shoulder and back caused to surgeons by surgery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of an upper body exoskeleton for surgeons on postoperative neck, back, and shoulder complaints

Nutz,

Jarvers,

Theopold

et al. 2024

Journal of Occupational Health

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“…The median impact of the exoskeleton on nurses’ fatigue was 7/10. [ 5 ] 2023 Qualitative research 8 nurses Exoskeleton was felt to be easy to use after initial adjustments [ 61 ] 2023 Qualitative research 7 nurses Five themes emerged from the interviews (workflow, user needs, hindrances, motivation for intervention, and acceptance) [ 63 ] 2022 Passive back-assist exoskeleton 23 nurses Perceived usefulness and enjoyment of use increases and anxiety toward the use decreases nurses’ exoskeleton acceptance. [ 26 ] 2021 Hybrid assistive limb 19 nurses Mean lumbar fatigue VAS score for all participants without the HAL for Care Support was 62 mm, while that with it was 43 mm.…”

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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Effects of a back-assist exosuit in lab-based approximations of construction tasks performed by novices and experienced construction workers

Song,

Goršič,

Feng

et al. 2024

Ergonomics

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The compatibility of exoskeletons in perioperative environments and workflows: an analysis of surgical team members’ perspectives and workflow simulation

Cited by 3 publications

References 64 publications

Effect of an upper body exoskeleton for surgeons on postoperative neck, back, and shoulder complaints

Effect of an upper body exoskeleton for surgeons on postoperative neck, back, and shoulder complaints

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

Effects of a back-assist exosuit in lab-based approximations of construction tasks performed by novices and experienced construction workers

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