Postural Discomfort Research Articles

Individual-specific postural discomfort prediction using decision tree models

The objective of the current study was to explore the utilization of the decision tree (DT) algorithm to model posture-discomfort relationships at the individual level. The DT algorithm has the advantage that it makes no assumptions about the distribution of data, is robust in representing non-linear data with noise, and produces white-box models that are interpretable. Individual-level modelling is essential for examining individual-specific postural discomfort perception processes and understanding the inter-individual variability. It also has practical applications, including the development of individual-specific digital human models and more precise and informative population accommodation analysis. Individual-specific DT models were generated using postural discomfort rating data for various seated upper body postures to predict discomfort based on postural and task variables. The individual-specific DT models accurately predicted postural discomfort and revealed large inter-individual variability in the modelling results. DT modelling is expected to greatly facilitate investigating the human discomfort perception process.

Ergonomic Evaluation of Pruning in Simulated Greenhouse conditions

Greenhouse is a space-efficient structure for farming. The workers stretch their bodies to perform operations away from the body and at different heights. The present study aimed to assess the physiological and postural discomfort because of the varied working heights and horizontal distances and also attempts to suggest suitable interventions to overcome them. The current study investigated the physiological and subjective measures of exertion while working at different heights (elbow height, shoulder height and above shoulder height) and horizontal distances (30, 45, 60, and 75 cm) with two different pruning tools under simulated laboratory conditions. All the physiological parameters and responses against different conditions were recorded from six male participants and analyzed as per experimental requirements. The outcome of the present study demonstrated that physiological cost and subjective measure of exertion varied significantly with the variation in heights and horizontal distances. Heart rate, oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, and perceived exertion were significantly higher “above the shoulder height” than elbow and shoulder height. Similarly, all the measured physiological parameters and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) exhibited a gradual increase with increasing the distance from the worker’s body. The study also revealed a differential effect of tools used while performing the pruning work. Further, the multiple regression analysis helped to predict Relative Cardiac Cost from RPE and other evaluated physiological parameters. Overall, findings from the current study concluded that conventional pruning activities need workspace optimization and ergonomic intervention to select pruning tools and achieve the desired productivity with minimum Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).

Factors influencing compliance in RRD patients with the face-down position via grounded theory approach

Patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) require face-down positioning (FDP) for 3–6 months or longer after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with silicone oil (SO) tamponade. This paper aimed to identify the factors that influenced FDP compliance. This study adopted semi-structured interviews with patients who require FDP after SO tamponade. Constructivist grounded theory was utilized in this study. The qualitative data was analyzed and coded via NVivo 11.0 through open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Twenty-four RRD patients were involved. The interviews yielded five main themes that defined home FDP compliance were identified: posture discomfort, doctor-patient communication, psychological factors, occupational character, and family factors. A theoretical model of the influencing factors of postural compliance of FDP was constructed based on the interview analysis. A variety of factors can affect FDP conformity. We can increase compliance of RRD patients by enhancing comfort, encouraging doctor-patient communication, providing comprehensive care, promoting community-based intervention, and strengthening family education.

Ergonomic design and evaluation of gemstone polishing workstation

Objectives. Gemstone polishers suffer from musculoskeletal problems due to constrained working postures, substantially influenced by the poor design of conventional gemstone polishing workstations. The present study investigated the effects of three workstation adjustment parameters (illumination at workstation, polishing height, tool post position) on postural angle, muscle activity and perceived postural discomfort in order to develop recommendations for new gemstone polishing workstations. Methods. Twelve professional gemstone polishers performed the polishing task on a prototype test-rig in 27 different test conditions. Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array was employed to estimate the optimum setting for gemstone polishing workstation design. Results. Study variables had a significant influence on postural angles. Polishing height substantially influenced muscle activity and perceived discomfort in the shoulder and lower back region. Tool post position was found to be the determinant factor for forearm muscle activity and perceived discomfort in the wrist/forearm region. Based on the findings, illumination of 1500 lux, polishing at 15 cm above the elbow height and a 20° tool position was recommended. Conclusions. Our findings present an alternative approach to using Taguchi’s design of experiment for workstation improvement, which has received very little attention in ergonomics studies. A confirmation test was conducted to validate the study recommendations.

Effect of Intelligent Medical Data Technology in Postoperative Nursing Care.

Surgery is one of the larger wounds in conventional surgery, and patients often experience different pain and postural discomfort after surgery. With the ever-changing standards of medical care and patient care requirements, providing high-quality care to postoperative patients is an important measure to reduce complications and promote rapid recovery. However, in the traditional postsurgical nursing methods, there are often the phenomenon that wrong patients are connected, patient data is messy, and medicines are counted incorrectly, which directly leads to a rapid decline in nursing efficiency. In the context of the rapid development of artificial intelligence and big data, intelligent medical data analysis technology has gradually been integrated into the medical field. This paper analyzes and studies the application effect of intelligent medical data analysis technology in postoperative nursing. It is aimed at changing the traditional postoperative nursing methods and improving nursing efficiency, and it provides important suggestions for the development of postoperative nursing in the new era. Combining big data and Internet of Things technology, this paper builds a smart medical Internet of Things framework and an intelligent postoperative care system and uses machine learning algorithms to preprocess relevant medical data. The final experimental results show that the intelligent medical data analysis technology has a good effect in improving the nursing efficiency after surgery, and the nursing efficiency has increased by 6.9%.

To Assess Postural Discomfort of School Students using Virtual Pedagogy

Posture is usually defined as the relative arrangement of the parts of the body. It was observed that school teachers worked continuously in one posture for long hours. Constantly, they suffered from discomfort in different parts of their body, especially in the shoulders, knees, back, lower back, and upper back, which mainly prevent them from continuing their work. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the postural discomfort of the teachers using virtual pedagogy. With this background, this study was carried out with the objectives to assess. Objective: The postural discomfort faced by school teachers across gender. Methods: The sample size was 100 school students and sample was collected from Lucknow city using interview schedule along with a technique for measuring postural discomfort scale prepared by Corlett, E.N. and Bishop, R.P. (1976). The collected data were coded, scored, tabulated, and analyzed using relevant descriptive statistics frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and relational statistics like correlation. The sample was collected through random and purposive random sampling technique. The data calculated were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and correlation. Results: There is no significant difference between gender and postural discomfort of respondents.

Sex differences in perceived discomfort during seated static posture holding

This study investigated how sex modifies postural discomfort perception during a sagittally-symmetric, seated static posture holding (SPH) task. Ten male and 10 female participants performed SPH and conducted subjective discomfort ratings in a total of 108 task conditions. A regression analysis found that the impacts of the body joint reactive moments on perceived discomfort were larger for the female group than the male whereas that of the shoulder joint angle was more pronounced for the male than the female. Also, some of the 108 task conditions were found to be more uncomfortable for the male group, while some others, for the female. The observed sex impacts are thought to be due to the sex differences in physical work capacities (muscular strength and joint flexibility). The results suggest that new posture analysis tools allowing sex-specific analyses are needed as they would improve the accuracy and precision of ergonomics posture analyses. Practitioner summary: This study empirically investigated how sex modifies postural discomfort perception during a seated posture holding (SPH) task. Sex was found to modify the impacts of joint reactive moments and the shoulder joint angle. The study results seem to reflect the sex differences in muscular strength and joint flexibility.

An Overview of Indian Vegetable: Production Trends and Related Health Hazards

Agriculture has been regarded as one of the most drudgery-prone occupations in the unorganized sector. In vegetable production system both men and women play important role in the entire process from land preparation to harvesting of crops. Vegetable cultivators actively participate in various farm operations such as a ploughing, uprooting, sowing, transplanting, weeding, hoeing,harvesting. They are exposed to number of health hazards the most prevalent of which are musculoskeletal issued like a like strains, low back pain, lower and upper extremity discomfort and so on. It was observed that farmworker generally adopt awkward posture during various activity of vegetable production system. In order to minimize the adverse effect of these postural discomfort and hazard an ergonomic evaluation of farm activity need to be conducted. Ergonomic measures were accomplished by making modification on the task/tool used or by workers moreover training and extension activities will also improve their work productivity and efficiency.

Postural Discomfort and Musculoskeletal Disorders among the Agricultural Workers in Faizabad District

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Farming has been considered a physically demanding and associated with high risk occupation for musculoskeletal disorders. Agricultural workers have to adapt different postures while working in the fields, e.g. standing, bending, sitting, kneeling, raising hand, etc. They work for long duration in awkward postures, due to which they have to face a lot of postural discomforts. They go through a lot of physical hazards, and sometimes they have to face severe pain. <strong>Aim:</strong> The present study was conducted to find out the musculoskeletal disorders and postural discomfort among the agricultural workers while working in the fields. <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> Present study was conducted on 150 agricultural workers. The sample was randomly selected in the Balramau area of Faizabad district. A self-structured interview schedule and the postural discomfort scale developed by Corlett and Bishop in (1976) were used for data collection. <strong>Result:</strong> The study revealed that maximum pain was felt in the upper back, upper arms, mid-back, lower arms, lower back, and buttocks. Female agricultural workers felt more pain as compared to male agricultural workers. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Agricultural workers face lot of pain in different body parts. Proper training program and information about musculoskeletal disorders symptoms should be given to agricultural workers so that they can get help in identifying the symptoms. Training programmers to agricultural workers in adopting right postures to minimise the stress also need to be conducted. </p>

Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal and Postural Discomfort of Bus Drivers

Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal and Postural Discomfort of Bus Drivers

Prevalence and risk of spinal pain among physiotherapists in Poland.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, symptoms of, and risk factors for spinal pain in physiotherapists, as well as to analyse the correlation between these factors and the nature of the work, anthropometric features of the respondents, and the level of their physical activity.MethodsThe study was conducted among 240 physiotherapists (71 male and 169 female) with a mean age of 38.7 years. They were divided into three groups: physical therapy (37), kinesitherapy (158) and massage (45). Physiotherapists were evaluated with a specially designed questionnaire, the postural discomfort chart, the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire.ResultsThe analysis showed a 91.7% incidence of spinal pain in physiotherapists (91.1% for kinesitherapy, 97.3% for physical therapy, and 88.9% for massage). The study revealed that 50.2% of physiotherapists indicated one to five pain episodes in their careers. Most respondents reported pain in the lumbosacral spine (82%) and the cervical spine (67%). Most respondents (58.5%) scored the pain as moderate (VAS scale). Carrying (62.6%) and torso bending (37.4%) were indicated as the causes of pain.ConclusionsPhysiotherapists demonstrate a high prevalence of spinal pain. Physical activity reduces the frequency of pain episodes.

Screening for Lower Cross Syndrome in Asymptomatic Individuals- A Study Protocol

Background: lower cross syndrome results from muscle strength imbalance in the lower segment. It ischaracterized by specific pattern of muscle weakness and tightness that cross between the dorsal and ventralsides of the body. In lower-crossed syndrome, the patient typically has anterior pelvic turn, elevated lumbarlordosis (swayback), and weak abdominal muscles. Inaction may also have a detrimental effect on themechanics of the body, such as immobilization, disuse or excessive postural discomfort, such as sitting atthe workstation for long periods of time and poor posture .It also involves tightness of the iliopsoas, rectusfemoris, fascia lata tensor, adductor group, gastrocnemius, and soleus. Pressure biofeedback device is usedfor the purpose of measuring and treating the transverse abdominis muscle. This study is needed becauseover time due to prolonged daily activities and lack of regular exercises in young people, this leads to muscleimbalance which leads to low back pain in this population. The goal of the study is to screen for lower crosssyndrome in asymptomatic individual.Aim and objective: To screen for lower cross syndrome in asymptomatic individual. Materials andMethods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 300 individuals will be included in the study andthe respective evaluation procedure for lower cross syndrome will be carried out.Result: The expected results would include the data about whether lower cross syndrome would be detectedin the asymptomatic individuals. Data will be analyzed using paired T-test.Conclusion: based on the previous data of test and assessment we assume it will be beneficial in relievingthe symptoms of lower cross syndrome.

Ergonomic analysis of working posture of gardeners engaged in selected gardening activities

Manual labour are inevitable and common in gardening with repetitive movement in awkward posture for long duration and no frequent breaks. This overexertion leads to poor occupational health effect on workers such as postural discomfort. This study intended to analyze the work posture of workers engaged in gardening. The study was conducted in two educational institutes of Ludhiana city. A total of 30 male gardeners were selected purposively as respondents, 15 each from both the institutes. A self constructed interview schedule was used to collect the primary data regarding gardening activities and the drudgery experienced by respondents. Also, a detailed analysis of working posture was carried out by using REBA, OWAS, WERA worksheet. Results revealed that the respondents perceived high drudgery level while performing weeding (mean score=2.89), hedge cutting (mean score=2.55) and potting activity (mean score=2.26). Thus, these three activities were selected for postural analysis. REBA score inferred that risk was found to be high in all the selected gardening activities i.e., the score was greater than 7. In OWAS analysis,it was found that corrective measures is required for weeding (mean score=3.53), hedge cutting (mean score=3.36), and potting (mean score=1.73) activity. The WERA score analysis revealed that the risk was found to be medium for the selected gardening activitys.

Postural Discomfort and Musculoskeletal Disorders among Painters - An Analytical Study

Aim: The current investigation was to examine the intensity of body discomfort and various musculoskeletal disorders experienced by painter community due to their occupational habitat. Methods: A questionnaire was developed systematically with high competence with the current standard, which includes general profile sheet, occupational profile sheet and a modified Kromers body discomfort scale (Kroemer et al., 1987). These tools were used to gather information from the respondents. A sample of fifty two male painters aged between 19-75 years were interviewed randomly and mined various socio-demographic, socio-economic and health information. Data on occupational history, accidents, and leisure time activities were also collected. This paper focused on the intensity of pain due to prolonged standing and other postures during painting activities. Result: The prevalence of occupational health hazards has been reported to be high among painter community in India. The study revealed that the painters were engaged in rigorous hand-intensive jobs for many years, this subsistence activity led to rigorous and permanent discomforts in different parts of their body as an occupational health hazards. Conclusion: From the findings of the study, it can be concluded that painters faced many occupational health hazards. The current study focused on musculoskeletal disorder and uncertainties due to the nature of high risk associated painting jobs. The study revealed that the painter’s communities were highly susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders, especially severe leg pain. Most of the interviewed painters were highly concerned about high risk areas (activities on scaffoldings). So for safeguarding the painter communities from high potential professional, physical and physiological health risk, the government must entrust contractors for providing standard and modernized safe working environment, safeguarding tools and risk incentives.

Desktop lighting for comfortable use of a computer screen.

BACKGROUND:The contrast between a bright computer screen and a dark ambient environment may influence comfort of the users, especially on their eyes.OBJECTIVE:The objective of this research is to identify the optimal desktop lighting for the comfortable use of the computer screen in a dark environment.METHODS:An experiment was designed where seven illumination setups were introduced for the users to perform their leisure tasks on a computer screen. Fifteen healthy subjects participated in the experiments. During each session, durations of the eye blinks, fixations and saccades of the user were recorded by an eye tracker. His/her neck and trunk movements were recorded by a motion tracking system as well. The comfort/discomfort questionnaire, localized postural discomfort questionnaire, NASA task load index and computer user questionnaire were used to record the overall comfort/discomfort, the local perceived physical discomfort, the cognitive workload, and general/eye health problems, respectively.RESULTS:Subjective and objective measurement results indicated that users felt more comfortable with high intensity warm lights using a computer screen. We also identified that the eye fixation durations, as well as the scores of two questions in the computer user questionnaire, have significant negative correlations with comfort. On the other side, the durations of blinks and the scores of three questions in the computer user questionnaire, were significantly correlated with discomfort.CONCLUSION:The warm (3000K) and high intensity (1500 lux) light reduced the visual and cognitive fatigue of the user and therefore improve the comfort of the user during the use of a computer screen.

Classification of Whole-Body Postural Discomfort Using Cluster Analysis.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of gender and postures of the neck, trunk, and knee on overall postural discomfort, and to classify combined postures into different postural discomfort groups. A total of 95 participants (42 males and 53 females) performed 45 different static postures, which were a combination of 3 neck angles, 5 trunk angles, and 3 knee angles, and rated the perceived postural discomfort. Non-hierarchical K-means cluster analysis was employed to classify the 45 different combined postures into several postural discomfort groups. Postural discomfort was significantly affected by gender and postures of the neck, trunk, and knee (p < 0.001). Three clusters (high, medium, and low discomfort) were identified and the postural discomfort was significantly different between clusters (p < 0.001). The high discomfort group consisted of mostly males with high knee and trunk flexion angles and a moderate neck flexion angle. The low discomfort group was female-dominant with low neck and trunk flexion angles and a moderate knee flexion angle. The different flexibility (stiffness) of the joint motions between genders may affect the gender difference in postural discomfort. The knee and trunk postures were critical to the postural balance, which may affect the perception of whole-body discomfort. This result will be useful for developing and improving postural observation tools.

Postural discomfort analysis of EOT crane operators

Ergonomics aims at ensuring good fit between the worker and the work station. It is an important field of research in the development process to increase safety, comfort and performance. A comfortable work station can help employees to work more efficiently and effectively by reducing the probability for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). This study has been carried out to evaluate the postural discomfort of Electric Overhead Travelling (EOT) crane operators in tubular products shop of a boiler manufacturing company located in southern India. The modified Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) is used to interact with 67 crane operators, working with 24 EOT cranes of three different models in alternative shifts. The study revealed that 48(71.6%) employees suffered with some kind of MSDs. Most of them suffered with lower back pain followed by neck pain. The discomfort level is increased with age. Sixteen anthropometric dimensions are measured from all the operators. Statistical analysis is carried out using ANOVA. Frequent working postures are analysed by RULA, using Egrofellow-3 software. The obtained RULA score is 6. Suitable ergonomic chair provided for comfortable sitting and front side cabin guard height 100mm reduced to increase the visibility. After 3 months of trail run again questionnaire survey is conducted which clearly indicates that discomfort level drastically reduced and RULA score also reduced to 3.

Prediction of postural discomfort impact on manual assembly: A workshop case study

The analysis of manual assembly features and performance indicators is well reported in the literature. Awkward working postures and energy expenditure are known to be the major elements affecting the ergonomic of the manual assembler. However, such investigations are not fully discussed in non-repetitive operations. We therefore conducted a comprehensive ergonomic analysis of the manual assembly process of a SAE Baja racing car at a Mechanical Skills Workshop. Through an experimental set-up to collect data, the observation of the manual assembly operation of a SAE Baja racing car was performed. Purposeful sampling determined the specific elements that were critical to the analysis. The postural disposition of an assembler performing 24 similar work elements was studied. According to REBA, the assembly operations required further investigation and change. Based on the essential assembly-ergonomic components of the study, the energy expenditure of the tasks was derived, and the coefficients of determination R2 gave an indication of the level of correlation between the parameters of the manual assembly operation. To complete the study, we give examples of corrective measures that could formalize the working postures of the assembler, thus reducing the risk of physical discomfort and, subsequently helping in sustaining manual assembly operations.

Modelling postural discomfort perception using CHAID decision tree algorithm

Developing quantitative models that predict discomfort levels of working postures has been an important ergonomics research topic. Such modeling not only has practical applications, but also may serve as a useful research method to improve our understanding of the human postural discomfort perception process. While the existing models have focused on achieving high prediction accuracy, less attention has been given to model interpretability, which is vital for understanding a process through modeling. Research is needed to identify the model types or modeling methods that offer high interpretability as well as good prediction accuracy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) decision tree modeling method in developing postural discomfort prediction models. Ten individual-specific decision tree models were developed, which predicted overall upper-body discomfort from local body part discomfort ratings. The prediction models were found to achieve high prediction accuracy and interpretability. (150 words)

Design of an Automated Over-bed Hospital Meal Cart for Public Hospitals

Hospital meal carts are used to deliver meals, drugs and some other materials to patients in the hospital environment. These carts which are moved manually by operators, the health workers, mostly do not comply with ergonomics guidelines and physical requirements of the equipment users in terms of anthropometry data of the region thus increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorder among the meal cart users. Based on the preliminary study, most operators expressed the feeling of fatigue and postural discomfort in the shoulders, arms, back and thighs as a result of moving the hospital meal cart around the hospital environment. Also, patients who are limited in terms of sitting and standing needs this for their comfort and assistant. In order to ease this discomfort, an automated over-bed hospital table was designed using the adult working class anthropometry data of Nigeria. The cart has an adjustment feature of forth and back movement as well as height adjustment mechanism to suite the use of the patient. The responses obtained from ergonomic evaluation of the re-designed hospital meal carts were analyzed using SPSS to obtain the non-parametric Chi-Square test as well as the median and interquartile range. The test however showed significant difference when p &lt; 0.050, hence the redesign is justified. The table can be operated by the patient with little or no assistance hence will reduce fatigue and risk of musculoskeletal disorder among the meal cart users. Keywords— Anthropometric data, Discomfort, Ergonomics, Hospital and Meal cart.