ERGONOMICS APPROACH TO ASSESS THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC TASKS–PART “A”

Abstract

Background: This work is a continuation with the previous work which used ergonomics approach to develop Task Assessment Tool for Ease and Risk (TAER) (Zaheer, et al., 2018). Now, this paper, describes the experimental trials and predictive validity of TAER. Methods: The TEAR is based on self-assessment and consists of a booklet and recording sheet, booklet provide step by step guidelines about how to use TEAR. The experimental trials and predictive validity of TAER based on (a) ease of use of TAER record sheet and (b) validity study. TAER experimental trials overall used 20 healthy-able body participants and both trials were performed in participants’ home environment. For the ease of use trial, carefully designed feedback questionnaire was used, while in predictive validity, TAER predicted risk is measured in relation with perceived discomfort through sensitivity analysis. Result: In ease of use trial, feedback questionnaire confirmed that TAER is easy to use, free from ambiguity, applicable to almost all the tasks performed in home environment and almost all participants agreed that TAER do not need training for assessment. In predictive validity trials, the TAER predicted risk level is measured in relation with perceived discomfort and found that TAER has high sensitivity (78%), specificity (74%) and predictive values which revealed that TAER is a sensitive and useful tool for identifying risk and perceived discomfort in performing the daily tasks. Conclusion: It is concluded that TAER record sheet is simple and easy to use, free from ambiguity and easily understandable and do not need training for assessment. In ease of use trials, it is confirmed that almost all participants able to self-assessed their performed tasks. It is also confirmed that, participant’s self-assessed IADL exposure scores reasonably similar as compared to the researcher’s assessed and revealed that regular use of TAER will help to obtained more accurate and reliable results. Keywords: TAER (Task assessment tool for ease and risk), IADL (instrumental activities of daily living), Discomfort, Predictive validity, Sensitivity, Specificity.