Human Factors Engineering Research Articles

Caring for Critically Ill Children With the ICU Liberation Bundle (ABCDEF): Results of the Pediatric Collaborative.

Assess clinical outcomes following PICU Liberation ABCDEF Bundle utilization. Prospective, multicenter, cohort study. Eight academic PICUs. Children greater than 2 months with expected PICU stay greater than 2 days and need for mechanical ventilation (MV). ABCDEF Bundle implementation. Over an 11-month period (3-mo baseline, 8-mo implementation), Bundle utilization was measured for 622 patients totaling 5,017 PICU days. Risk of mortality was quantified for 532 patients (4,275 PICU days) for correlation between Bundle utilization and MV duration, PICU length of stay (LOS), delirium incidence, and mortality. Utilization was analyzed as subject-specific (entire PICU stay) and day-specific (single PICU day). Median overall subject-specific utilization increased from 50% during the 3-month baseline to 63.9% during the last four implementation months (p < 0.001). Subject-specific utilization for elements A and C did not change; utilization improved for B (0-12.5%; p = 0.007), D (22.2-61.1%; p < 0.001), E (17.7-50%; p = 0.003), and F (50-79.2%; p = 0.001). We observed no association between Bundle utilization and MV duration, PICU LOS, or delirium incidence. In contrast, on adjusted analysis, every 10% increase in subject-specific utilization correlated with mortality odds ratio (OR) reduction of 34%, p < 0.001; every 10% increase in day-specific utilization correlated with a mortality OR reduction of 1.4% (p = 0.006). ABCDEF Bundle is applicable to children. Although enhanced Bundle utilization correlated with decreased mortality, increased utilization did not correlate with duration of MV, PICU LOS, or delirium incidence. Additional research in the domains of comparative effectiveness, implementation science, and human factors engineering is required to understand this clinical inconsistency and optimize PICU Liberation concept integration into clinical practice.

Application of the TRIZ Innovation System Method to Bicycle Handlebars

This study investigated the application of the TRIZ innovation system method to bicycle handlebars and used a satisfaction survey to evaluate whether the bicycle handlebars met the users’ requirements, in order to reduce the cost and time needed for product development. First, we conducted a literature search and expert consultation, to explore the improvement requirements for handlebar design and bicycle motion injury; then, we used a contradiction matrix and the invention principle of the TRIZ method for analysis and design; and finally we used a human–machine system and the human measurement method of human factor engineering to analyze the user and bicycle handlebar operation and related dimensional definitions, as a reference for the design and to make a prototype bicycle handlebar. The SERVQUAL questionnaire was developed to compare the differences between the designed bicycle handlebar prototype and commercially available bicycle handlebars, and a practical analysis of the design was conducted using a two-dimensional quality model (Kano model) and the important–performance analysis method (IPA). Research results: 1. Innovative design of the bicycle handlebars: the development of height adjustment slots, front and rear angle design, front and rear swivel left and right extension mechanism, the user can clearly determine the current position and adjust to the most comfortable position to avoid waist, cervical vertebrae, and arm injuries. 2. Satisfaction assessment of bicycle handlebar innovation design: analyse the importance and satisfaction of bicycle handlebar innovation design, determine the production time and mass production value of the product, use questionnaires to conduct IPA and Kano model cross-analysis matrix, in order to reduce the time and cost required for product development.

Implementation of Human Systems Integration technical and management process for the lunar Gateway Program

NASA recognizes Human Systems Integration (HSI) as part of the overall systems engineering and acquisition strategy for space systems. The Lunar Gateway Program is implementing HSI technical and management process across the lifecycle of the mission, as required by NPR 7123.1C NASA Systems Engineering Processes and Requirements, and led by the Gateway HSI team as required by NPR 8705.2C Human-Rating Requirements for Space Systems, now HEOMD-003 Crewed Deep Space Systems Human Rating Certification Requirements and Standards for NASA Missions. NASA has been using HSI principles for many years and has applied them to many of its previous human spaceflight Programs. As NASA returns to the Moon in a more sustainable manner, the Gateway Program is maturing the application of HSI by implementing it more visibly as part of Artemis, with guidance from the NASA/SP-20210010952 NASA HSI Handbook. This paper discusses how HSI is being implemented in the Gateway Program, challenges faced with its implementation during the development phase, and strategies/approaches used to overcome those. The paper also covers HSI implementation for flight systems, vehicle processing, and interfaces across the six identified NASA HSI domains: human factors engineering, operations, safety, training, maintainability and supportability, habitability and environment. The goal is to provide an overview of the implementation process of HSI in the Gateway Program as an example for other Programs/Projects/Missions that are looking to implement HSI.

Using a human factors framework to assess clinician perceptions of and barriers to high reliability in hand hygiene

Hand hygiene (HH) is critical to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Clinician perspectives on maintaining high reliability are poorly defined. We surveyed physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to understand perceptions of and barriers to high reliability in HH. The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety 2.0 model was used to develop an electronic survey exploring six human factors engineering (HFE) domains. . Among 61 respondents, 70% perceived HH as "essential" to patient safety. While 87% reported alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) availability as very effective in improving HH reliability, 77% reported dispensers to be "sometimes" or "often" empty. Clinicians in surgery/anesthesia were more likely than those in medical specialties to note skin irritation from ABHR (OR 4.94; 95% CI 1.37-17.81) and less likely to believe feedback was effective in improving HH (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.08-0.88). One quarter of respondents indicated the layout of patient care areas was not conducive to performing HH. Staffing shortages and the pace and demands of work precluded HH for 15% and 11% of respondents, respectively. Aspects of organizational culture, environment, tasks, and tools were identified as barriers to high reliability in HH. HFE principles can be applied to more effectively promote HH.

Evaluating the Usability of an Emergency Department After Visit Summary: Staged Heuristic Evaluation.

Heuristic evaluations, while commonly used, may inadequately capture the severity of identified usability issues. In the domain of health care, usability issues can pose different levels of risk to patients. Incorporating diverse expertise (eg, clinical and patient) in the heuristic evaluation process can help assess and address potential negative impacts on patient safety that may otherwise go unnoticed. One document that should be highly usable for patients-with the potential to prevent adverse outcomes-is the after visit summary (AVS). The AVS is the document given to a patient upon discharge from the emergency department (ED), which contains instructions on how to manage symptoms, medications, and follow-up care. This study aims to assess a multistage method for integrating diverse expertise (ie, clinical, an older adult care partner, and health IT) with human factors engineering (HFE) expertise in the usability evaluation of the patient-facing ED AVS. We conducted a three-staged heuristic evaluation of an ED AVS using heuristics developed for use in evaluating patient-facing documentation. In stage 1, HFE experts reviewed the AVS to identify usability issues. In stage 2, 6 experts of varying expertise (ie, emergency medicine physicians, ED nurses, geriatricians, transitional care nurses, and an older adult care partner) rated each previously identified usability issue on its potential impact on patient comprehension and patient safety. Finally, in stage 3, an IT expert reviewed each usability issue to identify the likelihood of successfully addressing the issue. In stage 1, we identified 60 usability issues that violated a total of 108 heuristics. In stage 2, 18 additional usability issues that violated 27 heuristics were identified by the study experts. Impact ratings ranged from all experts rating the issue as "no impact" to 5 out of 6 experts rating the issue as having a "large negative impact." On average, the older adult care partner representative rated usability issues as being more significant more of the time. In stage 3, 31 usability issues were rated by an IT professional as "impossible to address," 21 as "maybe," and 24 as "can be addressed." Integrating diverse expertise when evaluating usability is important when patient safety is at stake. The non-HFE experts, included in stage 2 of our evaluation, identified 23% (18/78) of all the usability issues and, depending on their expertise, rated those issues as having differing impacts on patient comprehension and safety. Our findings suggest that, to conduct a comprehensive heuristic evaluation, expertise from all the contexts in which the AVS is used must be considered. Combining those findings with ratings from an IT expert, usability issues can be strategically addressed through redesign. Thus, a 3-staged heuristic evaluation method offers a framework for integrating context-specific expertise efficiently, while providing practical insights to guide human-centered design.

Building a Low-Cost Wireless Biofeedback Solution: Applying Design Science Research Methodology

In recent years, affective computing has emerged as a promising approach to studying user experience, replacing subjective methods that rely on participants' self-evaluation. Affective computing uses biometrics to recognize people's emotional states as they interact with a product. However, the cost of medical-grade biofeedback systems is prohibitive for researchers with limited budgets. An alternative solution is to use consumer-grade devices, which are more affordable. However, these devices require proprietary software to collect data, complicating data processing, synchronization, and integration. Additionally, researchers need multiple computers to control the biofeedback system, increasing equipment costs and complexity. To address these challenges, we developed a low-cost biofeedback platform using inexpensive hardware and open-source libraries. Our software can serve as a system development kit for future studies. We conducted a simple experiment with one participant to validate the platform's effectiveness, using one baseline and two tasks that elicited distinct responses. Our low-cost biofeedback platform provides a reference architecture for researchers with limited budgets who wish to incorporate biometrics into their studies. This platform can be used to develop affective computing models in various domains, including ergonomics, human factors engineering, user experience, human behavioral studies, and human-robot interaction.

The potency of functionalized nanomaterials for industrial applications

Functionalized nanomaterials are highly beneficial and possess superior properties compared to their traditional counterparts. These properties include improved physical, chemical, mechanical and other characteristics, which enable functionalized nanomaterials to surpass their conventional counterparts. They are increasingly being utilized for innovation and development in a wide range of industrial fields. This study examines the utility of functionalized nanomaterials in the engineering, medical and food industries, as well as their applications in environmental conservation and the impact of nanotechnology on energy and environmental sustainability, integrated water resources management and human factors engineering. Additionally, the study explores the potential of nanotechnology and nanomaterials research in the future. In terms of methodology, the authors utilized various credible academic sources such as Google Scholar, SCOPUS, the Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Science Direct. The publications were narrowed down to those that provided the most satisfactory responses to their research questions.

Toward Joint Activity Design: Augmenting User-Centered Design with Heuristics for Supporting Joint Activity.

From their common roots in Human Factors Engineering, Human-Centered Design and Cognitive Systems Engineering have drifted into distinct fields over the past three decades, each developing beneficial heuristics, design patterns, and evaluation methods for designing for individuals and teams, respectively. GeoHAI, a clinical decision support application for preventing hospital-acquired infection, has yielded positive results in early usability testing and is expected to test positively in supporting joint activity, which will be measured through the novel implementation of Joint Activity Monitoring . The design and implementation of this application provide a demonstration of the possibilities and necessities to unify the work of Human-Centered Design and Cognitive Systems Engineering when designing technologies that are usable and useful to individuals engaged in joint activity with machine counterparts and other people. We are calling this unified process Joint Activity Design, which supports designing for machines to be good team players.

Best Practices for Use-Related Risk Analysis Through Collaboration of Human Factors and Clinical

Integrating the human factors engineering (HFE) process, and its user-centered approach, into the medical device and combination Product and Development Process (PDP), has been an ongoing challenge for its respective industries and Human Factors (HF) practitioners within it for decades. Yet, despite continuous process adaptation and evolution of the HFE process, as well as the introduction of standards and health authority guidelines, the early integration of a risk-based and user-centered approach within the development and design process remains an ongoing practical challenge occupying the minds of most. With the introduction of the European MDR 2017/745 in 2017, an additional emphasis was put on the importance of use-related risk identification, assessment, and data based evaluation within the clinical evaluation process, and with such introduces clinical teams to (new) ‘use-related risk challenges’ as well. This paper provides a framework for early integration of an iterative use-related risk analysis approach, addressing common practical challenges, and providing best practices for such. Furthermore, it highlights how applying a collaborative approach between HF and clinical efforts would permit for collection of more robust use-related data sets, thus potentially optimizing use-related risk, residual risk, and risk-benefit analyses and their processes.

Lessons Learned Using Rapid Human Factors Methods: Condensed Timeline with Effective and Impactful Results

Contextual inquiry and discount usability represent a powerful combination of human factors methods as a responsive and rapid approach to better understand end users’ interactions with a new electronic health record (EHR) system as an enterprise capability. Contextual inquiry is an approach to conducting ethnographic field studies and discount usability is a simplified and efficient technique to identify usability issues. This paper describes how the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Health Informatics Human Factors Engineering (OHI HFE) responded to a request from VHA leadership to provide rapid support to assess EHR post-implementation system performance to discover if there are barriers or shortcomings. The team utilized contextual inquiry methods and principles of discount usability to assess system usability and effectiveness in meeting end-user needs. OHI and the Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office (OEHRM IO) formed a team to conduct semi-structured interviews and observations with health care providers at a VHA facility to gather qualitative data showcasing representative users’ experiences with the EHR. The team analyzed the data collected to identify themes and created an affinity map and two service blueprints. It then used this information to produce a report of findings and recommendations. The study identified areas that required remediation, actions that would facilitate success, and opportunities for improvement. Key contributors to the success of this rapid and important effort included the team’s ability to accommodate a compressed schedule by carefully targeting scope; focusing on a smaller number of participants than originally planned; asking direct, targeted questions developed in advance; and capturing data during short interview and observation windows. The data collected also highlights opportunities to continue the use of discount usability methods, when necessary, to continuously improve OHI HFE data collection and achieve targeted quality improvement in a condensed timeframe.

Primary Non-HFE Hemochromatosis: A Review.

Iron homeostasis is a complex process in which iron uptake and use are tightly balanced. Primary Type 1 or HFE hemochromatosis results from homozygous mutations in the gene that encodes human homeostatic iron regulator (known as human factors engineering, HFE) protein, a regulator of hepcidin, and makes up approximately 90% of all hemochromatosis cases. However, four types of hemochromatosis do not involve the HFE gene. They are non-HFE hemochromatosis type 2A (HFE2, encoding HJV), type 2B (HAMP, encoding hepcidin), type 3 (TFR2, encoding transferring receptor-2), and types 4A and B (SLC40A1, encoding ferroportin. Non-HFE hemochromatosis is extremely rare. Pathogenic allele frequencies have been estimated to be 74/100,000 for type 2A, 20/100,000 for type 2B, 30/100,000 for type 3, and 90/100,000 for type 4 hemochromatosis. Current guidelines recommend that the diagnosis be made by ruling out HFE mutations, history, physical examination, laboratory values (ferritin and transferrin saturation), magnetic resonance or other imaging, and liver biopsy if needed. While less common, non-HFE hemochromatosis can cause iron overload as severe as the HFE type. In most cases, treatment involves phlebotomy and is successful if started before irreversible damage occurs. Early diagnosis and treatment are important because it prevents chronic liver disease. This review updates the mutations and their pathogenetic consequences, the clinical picture, diagnostic guidelines, and treatment of hemochromatosis.

Human Systems Integration: A Review of Concepts, Applications, Challenges, and Benefits

This paper provides a review of the concepts, applications, and challenges of Human Systems Integration (HSI). HSI is a multidisciplinary field that aims to optimize the performance of human-machine systems by considering the characteristics and capabilities of both human operators and technological systems. The review begins with a discussion of the fundamental concepts of HSI, including human factors engineering, human-computer interaction, and cognitive engineering. It then examines the application of HSI in specific domains such as aviation, transportation, and medicine. The paper concludes by discussing the challenges and future directions of HSI research. The paper highlights the importance of considering the cognitive and affective aspects of human operators in the design of systems and the challenges related to the integration of multiple systems and the consideration of social and organizational factors. Keywords: Human Systems Integration, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Transportation, Benefits, Challenges. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-4-04 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

Preventable harm because of outpatient medication errors among children with leukemia and lymphoma: A multisite longitudinal assessment.

There is little longitudinal information about the type and frequency of harm resulting from medication errors among outpatient children with cancer. We aimed to characterize rates and types of medication errors and harm to outpatient children with leukemia and lymphoma over 7months of treatment. We recruited children taking medications at home for leukemia or lymphoma from three pediatric cancer centers. Errors were identified by chart review, in-home medication review, observation of administration, and interviews. Physician reviewers confirmed error (Fleiss' κ=0.95), harm (Fleiss' κ=0.82), and suggested interventions. Generalized linear mixed models with random effects were used to account for clustering by site. Among 131 children taking 1669 medications with 367 home visits, 408 errors were identified, including 242 with potential for harm and 39 with harm (1.0 harm per 1000 patient-days [95% CI, 0.1-9.8]). Ten percent of children were injured by errors and 42% had errors with potential for harm. Twenty-six percent of caregivers reported that miscommunication led to missed doses or overdoses at home. Children on >13 medications had significantly more serious medication errors than those on fewer medications (77% vs 61%; p=.05). Physician reviewers judged that improved communication among caregivers and between caregivers and clinicians may have prevented the most harm (66%). In this longitudinal study, 10% children with leukemia or lymphoma experienced adverse drug events because of outpatient medication errors. Improvements addressing communication with and among caregivers should be codeveloped with families and based on human-factors engineering. In this longitudinal study, medication errors in the clinic, pharmacy, or at home among children with leukemia or lymphoma over a 7-month period were common, and 10% suffered harm because of errors. Children on >13 medications had significantly more serious medication errors than those on fewer medications (77% vs 61%; p=.05). Physician reviewers judged that improved communication among caregivers and between caregivers and clinicians may have prevented the most harm (66%). Improvements addressing communication with and among caregivers should be codeveloped with families and based on human-factors engineering.

Age and Technology Readiness Influences on Adults’ Experiences with Highly Automated Vehicles

Adults’ access to transportation may improve after the deployment of highly automated vehicles (HAVs). However, the public is hesitant to accept HAVs. This study investigated the influence of adults’ ( n = 210) age—younger (18–29 years), middle-aged (30–64 years), young-old (65–74 years), and older (&gt;75 years)—and readiness to use technology on their intention to use, perceived barriers, well-being, and acceptance of HAVs before and after riding in an autonomous shuttle and a driving simulator operating in autonomous mode. Two-way mixed analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were deployed to assess changes between groups in Automated Vehicle User Perception Survey (AVUPS) domain scores after exposure to the HAVs. When controlling for baseline differences, well-being increased after exposure to HAVs for young-old adults compared with both middle-aged and younger adults. Both young-old and older adults reported greater intention to use compared with middle-aged adults. Regardless of age or technology readiness, adults’ intention to use HAVs increased after experiencing the HAVs. Explorers displayed favorable perceptions (i.e., AVUPS domain scores) of HAVs whereas hesitators reported lower intention to use and acceptance of HAVs and more perceived barriers to adopting HAVs. The three other technology readiness classifications, skeptics, pioneers, and avoiders held relatively similar views of HAVs before and after exposure to both modes of HAVs. General beliefs about technology may inform automakers, autonomous mobility companies, human factors engineers, and driving rehabilitation scientists of adults’ willingness to embrace emerging technology, especially when widespread exposure to the technology is not yet a reality.

The evolution of technical prerequisites and local boundary conditions for optimization of mitral valve interventions-Emphasis on skills development and institutional risk performance.

This viewpoint report describes how the evolution of transcatheter mitral valve intervention (TMVI) is influenced by lessons learned from three evolutionary tracks: (1) the development of treatment from mitral valve surgery (MVS) to transcutaneous procedures; (2) the evolution of biomedical engineering for research and development resulting in predictable and safe clinical use; (3) the adaptation to local conditions, impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) experience and creation of infrastructure for skills development and risk management. Thanks to developments in computer science and biostatistics, an increasing number of reports regarding clinical safety and effectiveness is generated. A full toolbox of techniques, devices and support technology is now available, especially in surgery. There is no doubt that the injury associated with a minimally invasive access reduces perioperative risks, but it may affect the effectiveness of the treatment due to incomplete correction. Based on literature, solutions and performance standards are formulated with an emphasis in technology and positive outcome. Despite references to Heart Team decision making, boundary conditions such as hospital infrastructure, caseload, skills training and perioperative risk management remain underexposed. The role of Biomedical Engineering is exclusively defined by the Research and Development (R&D) cycle including the impact of human factor engineering (HFE). Feasibility studies generate estimations of strengths and safety limitations. Usability testing reveals user friendliness and safety margins of clinical use. Apart from a certification requirement, this information should have an impact on the definition of necessary skills levels and consequent required training. Physicians Preference Testing (PPT) and use of a biosimulator are recommended. The example of the interaction between two Amsterdam heart centers describes the evolution of a professional ecosystem that can facilitate innovation. Adaptation to local conditions in terms of infrastructure, referrals and reimbursement, appears essential for the evolution of a complete mitral valve disease management program. Efficacy of institutional risk management performance (IRMP) and sufficient team skills should be embedded in an appropriate infrastructure that enables scale and offers complete and safe solutions for mitral valve disease. The longstanding evolution of mitral valve therapies is the result of working devices embedded in an ecosystem focused on developing skills and effective risk management actions.

Shape Matters: A Neglected Feature of Medication Safety : Why Regulating the Shape of Medication Containers Can Improve Medication Safety.

This paper aims to highlight how to reduce medication errors through the implementation of human factors science to the design features of medication containers. Despite efforts to employ automation for increased safety and decreased workload, medication administration in hospital wards is still heavily dependent on human operators (pharmacists, nurses, physicians, etc.). Improving this multi-step process requires its being studied and designed as an interface in a complex socio-technical system. Human factors engineering, also known as ergonomics, involves designing socio-technical systems to improve overall system performance, and reduces the risk of system, and in particular, operator, failures. The incorporation of human factors principles into the design of the work environment and tools that are in use during medication administration could improve this process. During periods of high workload, the cognitive effort necessary to work through a very demanding process may overwhelm even expert operators. In such conditions, the entire system should facilitate the human operator's high level of performance. Regarding medications, clinicians should be provided with as many perceptual cues as possible to facilitate medication identification. Neglecting the shape of the container as one of the features that differentiates between classes of medications is a lost opportunity to use a helpful characteristic, and medication administration failures that happen in the absence of such intentional design arise from "designer error" rather than "user error". Guidelines that define a container's shape for each class of medication would compel pharmaceutical manufacturers to be compatible and would eliminate the confusion that arises when a hospital changes the supplier of a given medication.

Computer-Assisted Ergonomic Analysis of Working Postures Causing Strain

The present study aimed to analyze the postures of workers in a workshop type small-scale furniture manufacturing factory considering seven workstations including edge banding station, horizontal circular saw cutting station, circular saw cutting station, borehole station, planning station, thickness adjustment (planning station, and band saw station. It was also intended to determine the points they have difficulty and what extent they have difficulty (i.e. the level of risk), and to bring the workplace conditions in compliance with the workers’ necessities through improvement arrangements about how they can avoid the ergonomic risks and dangers they face. Video recordings and photographs of each process were taken from different angles with cameras. Posture analysis was performed by selecting the movement that is most repetitive, longest, improper and forceful posture. Contrary to the previous studies incorporating estimation-based risk analyses, the present study employs uMED Ergonomics software, which allows analysis by collecting data (i.e. distance and angle) with measurement tools on the image, in analyzing the angles of body parts and clearly revealing the workers’ postures. Ergonomic risk analysis was performed using the REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) method, as it numerically quantifies the degree of risk which is one of the effective risk assessment methods. It was determined that the posture modifications and some ergonomic improvements significantly reduced the risk level. Accordingly, once the risk levels were determined (high for Station 1, medium for other stations), the risks were reduced to very low for Stations 4 and 7, and low for other stations.

College students and patient work: Health information management by emerging young adults

College students with a life experience of chronic illness and impairments grow into young adulthood as health information monitors as well as communicators with healthcare professionals. This interview study focused on the health information management practices of college and graduate students living with disabilities and chronic illness. SEIPS (Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety), a work system model drawn from human factors engineering, was used as a conceptual framework for qualitative analysis. This revealed the importance of other people, particularly parents, in patients' information worlds. Digital technologies were ubiquitous; analog tools from business cards to binders were also key components of students' information systems. Using the SEIPS structure to interrogate the data allowed an understanding of how health experiences are integrated into everyday life. The findings of this research may provide health information technology designers and information science researchers insight into how to meet the needs of this population.

Sitting vs. standing: an urgent need to rebalance our world

ABSTRACT During their activities of daily living, humans run, walk, stand, sit and lie down. Recent changes in our environment have favored sedentary behavior over more physically active behavior to such a degree that our health is in danger. Here, we sought to address the problem of excessive time spent seated from various theoretical viewpoints, including postural control, human factors engineering, human history and health psychology. If nothing is done now, the high prevalence of sitting will continue to increase. We make a case for the standing position by demonstrating that spending more time upright can mitigate the physiological and psychological problems associated with excessive sitting without lowering task performance and productivity. The psychological literature even highlights potential benefits of performing certain tasks in the standing position. We propose a number of recommendations on spending more time (but not too much) in the standing position and on more active, nonambulatory behaviors. There is a need to inform people about (i) harmful consequences of excessive sitting and (ii) benefits of spending more time performing active, nonambulatory behaviors. One clear benefit is to reduce detrimental health consequences of excessive sitting and to provide potential additional benefits in terms of productivity and performance.

Application of TRIZ Innovative System Method in Rapid Assembly of Folding Chairs

This design activity is an innovative method of rapid assembly system for folding chairs. The research methods used in this study included literature analysis, TRIZ the method, human factors engineering (HFE), universal design, and IPA. First, the design of the folding chair and the layout of the literature related to the chair are analyzed. The contradiction matrix was used in the TRIZ method to find the principle of invention and analyze it, to provide a reference for the innovative design of folding chairs, and then use the relevant literature on materials to help design and select materials quickly. Next, the chair is assembled and unfolded and universal design is applied to design it into an acceptable product, causing it to be more popular. The human–machine interaction with HFE makes the design of rapid assembly and the design of folding chairs faster and safer. Finally, the IPA method is used to understand the subjective feelings of customers on the products of this research and the satisfaction and importance are used as the basis for evaluation; a two-dimensional matrix graph is drawn. After drawing a simulation using drawing software, it is compared with the traditional folding chair and the research results are as follows: (1) Quick unfolding function: use the pull ring upwards and it naturally unfolds downwards by gravity. (2) Quick folding and storage function: use the foot pedal, single-foot operation, and the folding chair can be quickly stored. (3) Rapid transportation and unfolding function: The chair back can be connected with other chair backs and has the functions of quick unfolding and quick storage, so as to realize the quick placement of the folding chair. This design activity realizes the preliminary design concept and design simulation of the product design through a systematic and innovative method. Through this design activity, we can understand the problems existing in product improvement before product development, so as to conduct market research and production cost assessment in the actual mass production later, and further reduce the cost of product design improvement.