PLOS ONE: [sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST, filterJournals=PLoSONE, sort=Date, newest first, q=subject:"Human factors engineering"]PLOShttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/webmaster@plos.orgaccelerating the publication of peer-reviewed sciencehttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/search/feed/atom?sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST&filterJournals=PLoSONE&sort=Date,+newest+first&unformattedQuery=subject:%22Human+factors+engineering%22All PLOS articles are Open Access.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.icohttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.ico2024-03-28T13:06:45ZA systematic scoping review of health-promoting interventions for contact centre employees examined through a behaviour change wheel lensZoe BellLorna PorcellatoPaula HollandAbigail MorrisChloe SmithCharlotte HainesLee Graves10.1371/journal.pone.02981502024-03-08T14:00:00Z2024-03-08T14:00:00Z<p>by Zoe Bell, Lorna Porcellato, Paula Holland, Abigail Morris, Chloe Smith, Charlotte Haines, Lee Graves</p>
Purpose <p>Social determinants of health and poor working conditions contribute to excessive sickness absence and attrition in contact centre advisors. With no recent review conducted, the current scoping review is needed to investigate the volume, effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of health-promoting interventions for contact centre advisors. This will inform the adoption and implementation of evidence-based practice, and future research.</p> Methods <p>Searches conducted across four databases (MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science) and reference checking in February 2023 identified health-promoting interventions for contact centre advisors. Extracted and coded data from eligible interventions were systematically synthesised using the nine intervention functions of the Behaviour Change Wheel and behaviour change technique taxonomy.</p> Results <p>This scoping review identified a low number of high quality and peer-reviewed health-promoting intervention studies for contact centre advisors (28 studies since 2002). Most interventions were conducted in high-income countries with office-based advisors, predominantly using environmental restructuring and training strategies to improve health. Most interventions reported positive effectiveness results for the primary intended outcomes, which were broadly organised into: i) health behaviours (sedentary behaviour, physical activity, smoking); ii) physical health outcomes (musculoskeletal health, visual health, vocal health, sick building syndrome); iii) mental health outcomes (stress, job control, job satisfaction, wellbeing). Few interventions evaluated acceptability and feasibility.</p> Conclusion <p>There is little evidence on the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of health-promoting interventions for contact centre advisors. Evidence is especially needed in low-to-middle income countries, and for remote/hybrid, nightshift, older and disabled advisors.</p>Ultra-dense Motion Capture: An exploratory full-automatic approach for dense tracking of breast motion in 4DQi-long LiuKit-lun YickYue SunJoanne Yip10.1371/journal.pone.02990402024-02-26T14:00:00Z2024-02-26T14:00:00Z<p>by Qi-long Liu, Kit-lun Yick, Yue Sun, Joanne Yip</p>
Understanding the dynamic deformation pattern and biomechanical properties of breasts is crucial in various fields, including designing ergonomic bras and customized prostheses, as well as in clinical practice. Previous studies have recorded and analyzed the dynamic behaviors of the breast surface using 4D scanning, which provides a sequence of 3D meshes during movement with high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, these studies are limited by the lack of robust and automated data processing methods which result in limited data coverage or error-prone analysis results. To address this issue, we identify revealing inter-frame dense correspondence as the core challenge towards conducting reliable and consistent analysis of the 4D scanning data. We proposed a fully-automatic approach named Ulta-dense Motion Capture (UdMC) using Thin-plate Spline (TPS) to augment the sparse landmarks recorded via motion capture (MoCap) as initial dense correspondence and then rectified it with a sophisticated post-alignment scheme. Two downstream tasks are demonstrated to validate its applicability: virtual landmark tracking and deformation intensity analysis. For evaluation, a dynamic 4D human breast anthropometric dataset <i>DynaBreastLite</i> was constructed. The results show that our approach can robustly capture the dynamic deformation characteristics of the breast surfaces, significantly outperforms baselines adapted from previous works in terms of accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. For 10 fps dataset, average error of 0.25 cm on control-landmarks and 0.33 cm on non-control (arbitrary) landmarks were achieved, with 17-70 times faster computation time. Evaluation was also carried out on 60 fps and 120 fps datasets, with consistent and large performance gaining being observed. The proposed method may contribute to advancing research in breast anthropometry, biomechanics, and ergonomics by enabling more accurate tracking of the breast surface deformation patterns and dynamic characteristics.Prevalence of recent occupational injury and its associated factors among food industry workers in SelangorRahmat DapariMohd Hafizuddin MahfotFlorence Chiu Yan YeeAisyah Nabilah Iftikhar AhmadKrishen MagayndranMohd ‘Ammar Ihsan Ahmad ZamzuriZaleha Md IsaMohd Rohaizat HassanNazri Che DomSyed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim10.1371/journal.pone.02939872023-11-09T14:00:00Z2023-11-09T14:00:00Z<p>by Rahmat Dapari, Mohd Hafizuddin Mahfot, Florence Chiu Yan Yee, Aisyah Nabilah Iftikhar Ahmad, Krishen Magayndran, Mohd ‘Ammar Ihsan Ahmad Zamzuri, Zaleha Md Isa, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Nazri Che Dom, Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim</p>
Introduction <p>Malaysia’s gross domestic product is heavily influenced by the food and beverage sector and the contribution of the industry to the national economy is expected to increase in the coming years. Thus, the need for employees in the food industry will continue to rise as this sector grows. Nevertheless, employees in the food industry are exposed to various occupational hazards that can lead to occupational injuries, mainly related to kitchen work. Given the increasing number of employees in the food industry and the rising trend of occupational injuries, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of recent occupational injuries and their associated factors and predictors among food industry workers.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among food industry workers in Selangor, Malaysia. The respondents were sampled using a multistage random sampling method. Data were collected via online self-administered questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models in the SPSS software, version 25.</p> Results <p>A total of 250 responses were received from 342 samples, with an overall response rate of 73.0%. The prevalence of recent occupational injuries among food industry workers was 44.8%. Statistically, significant associations were present between occupational injuries and alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), poor knowledge (p = 0.031), poor compliance (p = 0.021), poor safety management (p = 0.021), poor safety training (p = 0.002), poor safety culture (p = 0.003), physical exposure (p < 0.001), and ergonomic exposure (p = 0.009). The predictors for recent occupational injuries among food industry workers were Malay (adjusted Odds Ratio; aOR = 2.60, p = 0.027, 95% Confidence Interval; CI = 1.116, 6.035), alcohol consumption (aOR = 5.31, p = 0.001, 95% CI = 2.042, 13.779), poor knowledge (aOR = 1.98, p = 0.032, 95% CI = 1.059, 3.691), poor safety culture (aOR = 2.44, p = 0.002, 95% CI = 1.372, 4.342), and exposure to physical hazards (aOR = 8.88, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 3.031, 26.014).</p> Conclusion <p>This study has found a high prevalence of occupational injuries among food industry workers, thereby highlighting the importance of addressing alcohol consumption, improving worker knowledge, enhancing work safety culture, and better control measures on exposure to physical hazards, especially among Malay workers. By prioritising these factors, employers can create safer work environments and minimise the risk of occupational injuries.</p>Ecological urbanism as a condition underpinning urban life for internally displaced peoples in ColombiaPaula Andrea Valencia LondoñoDiana Valencia LondoñoPhoenix Storm Paz10.1371/journal.pone.02917942023-09-19T14:00:00Z2023-09-19T14:00:00Z<p>by Paula Andrea Valencia Londoño, Diana Valencia Londoño, Phoenix Storm Paz</p>
This paper employs the concepts of sustainability and habitability to define and measure ecological urbanism in informal settlements founded by people who have been forcibly displaced by violence. The objective is to identify the obstacles in meeting the tenets of ecological urbanism in informal settlements. We offer primary research from La Primavera, an informal settlement founded by internally displaced people in the late 1970s, located in the <i>corregimiento</i> El Hatillo of Barbosa, Antioquia in northwestern Colombia. Primary research includes qualitative and quantitative data gathered through 72 surveys and 45 technical assessments of properties and houses in the settlement. Situated between the Aburrá River and the northbound highway, above a gas pipeline and under an electricity pylon, La Primavera exists in a state of extreme risk, exacerbated by increasing migration which threatens to exceed the carrying capacity of the territory. Moreover, in Article 35 of Law 388 of 1997, the territory was declared a protected or restricted area and earmarked for the development of the regional commuter train, called the <i>Tren de Cercanías</i>, in 2017. The case study highlights the contradictions in the development agenda in Colombia by showing how development projects designed for the economic betterment and environmental conservation of the region negatively impact the quality of life for the most vulnerable inhabitants and expose them to greater environmental, economic, and social risk.The effectiveness of ergonomic intervention for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural workers: A systematic review protocolAnn JirapongsuwanPiyanee Klainin-YobasWanpen SongkhamSiriporn SomboonNapamon PumsopaPatraporn Bhatarasakoon10.1371/journal.pone.02881312023-07-03T14:00:00Z2023-07-03T14:00:00Z<p>by Ann Jirapongsuwan, Piyanee Klainin-Yobas, Wanpen Songkham, Siriporn Somboon, Napamon Pumsopa, Patraporn Bhatarasakoon</p>
Objective <p>This review will systematically examine and synthesize existing evidence of the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural workers.</p> Introduction <p>Agricultural workers are at particular risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of their activities and work conditions. Ergonomic interventions designed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders among agricultural workers can benefit their health and productivity.</p> Inclusion criteria <p>The review will consider quantitative study designs. These studies should be about agricultural workers who were involved in occupational situations that might contribute to musculoskeletal disorders.</p> Methods <p>The databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and grey literature will be searched to identify published and unpublished studies reported in English and other languages from 1991 onwards. At least two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and assess the selected full texts against certain inclusion criteria. The identified studies will be assessed for methodological quality using JBI critical appraisal instruments. Data will be extracted, and the effectiveness of the interventions will be determined. Where possible, data will be pooled in a meta-analysis. Data from heterogeneous studies will be reported narratively. The GRADE approach will be used to assess the quality of evidence.Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42022321098</p>Prevalence, characteristics, consequences, and awareness of work-related musculoskeletal pain among cardiac sonographers compared with other healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional studyLamia Al Saikhan10.1371/journal.pone.02853692023-05-05T14:00:00Z2023-05-05T14:00:00Z<p>by Lamia Al Saikhan</p>
Background <p>Evidence related to work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) among cardiac sonographers is incomplete. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, consequences, and awareness of WRMSP among cardiac sonographers compared with other healthcare workers in different healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia.</p> Methods <p>This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-based study. An electronic self-administered survey using a modified version of the Nordic questionnaire was distributed to cardiac sonographers and control participants of other healthcare professions exposed to different occupational hazards. The χ<sup>2</sup> test and logistic regression were performed to compare groups.</p> Results <p>In total, 308 participants completed the survey (mean age: 32.1±8.4; females: 207(68.1%)): 152(49.4%) sonographers and 156(50.6%) controls. WRMSP was more prevalent among cardiac sonographers than controls(84.8% vs 64.7%, p<0.0001), even after adjustment for age, sex, height, weight, BMI, education, years in current position, work-setting, and regular exercise(odds ratio [95% CI]: 3.0[1.54, 5.82], p = 0.001). Pain was more severe(p = 0.020) and lasted longer among cardiac sonographers(p = 0.050). The most affected body regions were the shoulders(63.2% vs 24.4%), hands(55.9% vs 18.6%), neck(51.3% vs 35.9), and elbows(23% vs 4.5%; p<0.01 for all). Pain in cardiac sonographers interfered with daily and social activities and interrupted their work-related activities(p<0.05 for all). More cardiac sonographers had plans to change profession(43.4% vs 15.8%; p<0.0001). A higher proportion of cardiac sonographers were aware of WRMSP(81% vs 77%) and its potential risks(70% vs 67%). However, cardiac sonographers infrequently utilised recommended preventative ergonomic measures for improving work practices, received insufficient ergonomics education and training on the risks and prevention of WRMSP, and had insufficient ergonomic work environment and support from employers.</p> Conclusions <p>WRMSP was more frequent and more severe in cardiac sonographers than in controls and adversely impacted their daily, social, and work-related activities, and future employment plans. Despite high awareness of WRMSP and its potential risks, cardiac sonographers infrequently utilised recommended preventative ergonomic measures and had insufficient ergonomic work environment and support from employers.</p>Transition between preclinical and clinical training: Perception of dental students regarding the adoption of ergonomic principlesJúlia Carrer HallakFranciele de Souza FerreiraCaroline Anselmi de OliveiraJúlia Margato PazosTamíris da Costa NevesPatrícia Petromilli Nordi Sasso Garcia10.1371/journal.pone.02827182023-03-09T14:00:00Z2023-03-09T14:00:00Z<p>by Júlia Carrer Hallak, Franciele de Souza Ferreira, Caroline Anselmi de Oliveira, Júlia Margato Pazos, Tamíris da Costa Neves, Patrícia Petromilli Nordi Sasso Garcia</p>
Objective <p>This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of third-year dental students regarding the application of ergonomic principles in the transition between preclinical and clinical training in Restorative Dentistry.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a qualitative observational cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of forty-six third-year dental students at São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Dentistry, Araraquara. Data was collected using an individual interview recorded on a digital voice recorder. A script containing questions related to the process of adaptation of students to clinical care with a view to ergonomic work posture was used. Data analysis was based on the quali-quantitative technique of Discourse of the Collective Subject (DCS), using Qualiquantisoft®.</p> Results <p>Most students (97.80%) perceived the need for an adaptation period in the transition from the preclinic to the clinic regarding ergonomic posture requirements; a part of them (45.65%) claimed that they still could not adapt, primarily due to the difference between the laboratory and clinic in the workstation (50.00%). Some students suggested longer preclinical training in a clinical environment to facilitate this transition (21.74%). The dental stool (32.60%) and the dental chair (21.74%) were the external factors that contributed most to making this transition difficult. The difficulty of the restorative dentistry procedure (10.87%) also interfered with posture. Additionally, the most challenging ergonomic posture requirements in the transition period were maintaining 30 to 40 cm between the patient’s mouth and operator’s eyes (45.65%), positioning the patient in the dental chair correctly (15.22%), and working with the elbows close to the body (15.22%).</p> Conclusion <p>Most students perceived the need for an adaptation period in the preclinical transition to the clinic, attributing difficulties to adopt the ergonomic posture requirements, to use the workstation and to perform the procedures on real patients.</p>Developing an assistive technology usability questionnaire for people with neurological diseasesMaria Masbernat-AlmenaraFrancesc Rubi-CarnaceaEloy OpissoEsther Duarte-OllerJosep Medina-CasanovasFran Valenzuela-Pascual10.1371/journal.pone.02811972023-01-31T14:00:00Z2023-01-31T14:00:00Z<p>by Maria Masbernat-Almenara, Francesc Rubi-Carnacea, Eloy Opisso, Esther Duarte-Oller, Josep Medina-Casanovas, Fran Valenzuela-Pascual</p>
Purpose <p>This study describes the development of a questionnaire for assessing the usability of assistive technologies accessible to people with neurological diseases.</p> Methods <p>A Delphi study was conducted to identify relevant items for the questionnaire. After that, the content validity was addressed to identify the essential items. Once the questionnaire was designed following the results of the Delphi study and content validity, the reliability, validity, and the Rasch model of the questionnaire were examined.</p> Results <p>Two rounds of the Delphi study were carried out. A total of 73 participants (42 experts and 31 users) participated in round 1, and 59 people (27 experts and 32 users) in round 2. A total of 53 and 29 items were identified in rounds 1 and 2, respectively. In the content validity, we found nine items above the threshold of 0.58. Finally, ten items were included in the questionnaire. Fifty-one participants participate in the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. The internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire analyzed by Cronbach’s Alpha was α = 0,895. There was moderate to considerable concordance among our questionnaire items test-retest in the Kappa coefficient and a strong association between test-retest in the Spearman’s coefficient ρ = 0.818 (p<0,001). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0,869 with a 95% confidence interval (0,781;0,923). There was a strong correlation between the total scores of the new questionnaire and other validated questionnaires analyzed with Spearman’s coefficient ρ = 0.756 (p<0,001). The ten items demonstrated a satisfactory fit to the Rasch model.</p> Conclusions <p>The present study suggested that the new questionnaire is a reliable 10-item usability questionnaire that allows subjective and quick assessment of the usability of assistive technologies by people with neurological diseases.</p>Examining adherence to oral anticancer medications through a human factors engineering framework: Protocol for a scoping reviewIrene D. LinMatthew B. ShottsAhmad Al-HaderKellie Jones WeddleRichard J. HoldenEmily L. MuellerMonica R. MacikMirian RamirezEphrem Abebe10.1371/journal.pone.02749632022-09-22T14:00:00Z2022-09-22T14:00:00Z<p>by Irene D. Lin, Matthew B. Shotts, Ahmad Al-Hader, Kellie Jones Weddle, Richard J. Holden, Emily L. Mueller, Monica R. Macik, Mirian Ramirez, Ephrem Abebe</p>
Background <p>The number of oral anticancer medications has increased over the past few decades, opening new possibilities in cancer care and improving convenience for patients and caregivers. However, adherence levels continue to be suboptimal, potentially jeopardizing therapeutic benefits. Poor adherence levels may indicate gaps in current strategies and interventions aimed at enhancing medication adherence and the extent to which they address the complex and multi-faceted medication management needs of patients and their caregivers. Beyond commonly understood barriers (e.g., forgetting to take medications), adherence interventions must address systemic barriers that may not be fully appreciated by members of the healthcare system. This scoping review aims to apply a systems framework (human factors engineering framework) to examine system elements targeted by adherence enhancing interventions.</p> Methods <p>Studies published in English, reporting adherence interventions for oral anticancer medications with adherence and/or persistence as primary outcome measures will be included in this review. We will search the following electronic databases with no limits on dates: Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, CINAHL Complete, PsycInfo, and Scopus. Two reviewers will independently screen study titles and abstracts for inclusion with a third reviewer adjudicating conflicts. Full text of included articles will be used to extract information on systemic barriers targeted by adherence interventions as well as information about intervention type, outcomes, and study characteristics. Extracted information will be synthesized to generate a summary of work system factors targeted by adherence interventions.</p> Discussion <p>Through application of a systems-based approach, this scoping review is expected to shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of factors influencing adherence to oral anticancer agents. The review may also identify areas that are ripe for further research.</p>Portable wireless and fibreless fNIRS headband compares favorably to a stationary headcap-based systemChristopher L. FriesenMichael LawrenceTony G. J. IngramMegan M. SmithEric A. HamiltonChristopher W. HollandHeather F. NeyedliShaun G. Boe10.1371/journal.pone.02696542022-07-14T14:00:00Z2022-07-14T14:00:00Z<p>by Christopher L. Friesen, Michael Lawrence, Tony G. J. Ingram, Megan M. Smith, Eric A. Hamilton, Christopher W. Holland, Heather F. Neyedli, Shaun G. Boe</p>
This study’s purpose is to characterize the performance of a prototype functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) headband meant to enable quick and easy measurements from the sensorimotor cortices. The fact that fNIRS is well-suited to ergonomic designs (i.e., their ability to be made wireless, their relative robustness to movement artifacts among other characteristics) has resulted in many recent examples of novel ergonomic fNIRS systems; however, the optical nature of fNIRS measurement presents an inherent challenge to measurement at areas of the brain underlying haired parts of the head. It is for this reason that the majority of ergonomic fNIRS systems that have been developed to date target the prefrontal cortex. In the present study we compared the performance of a novel, portable fNIRS headband compared with a stationary full headcap fNIRS system to measure sensorimotor activity during simple upper- and lower-extremity tasks, in healthy individuals >50 years of age. Both fNIRS systems demonstrated the expected pattern of hemodynamic activity in both upper- and lower-extremity tasks, and a comparison of the contrast-to-noise ratio between the two systems suggests the prototype fNIRS headband is non-inferior to a full head cap fNIRS system regarding the ability to detect a physiological response at the sensorimotor cortex during these tasks. These results suggest the use of a wireless and fibreless fNIRS design is feasible for measurement at the sensorimotor cortex.Ergonomic assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorder and its determinants among commercial mini bus drivers and driver assistants (mini bus conductors) in NigeriaEchezona Nelson Dominic EkechukwuErobogha UsehObumneme Linky NnaNmachukwu Ifeoma EkechukwuOgbonna Nnajiobi ObiEmmanuel Nwabueze AguwaSussan Uzoamaka Arinze-OnyiaUkachukwu Okaroafor AbaraoguVictor Adimabua Utti10.1371/journal.pone.02602112021-12-07T14:00:00Z2021-12-07T14:00:00Z<p>by Echezona Nelson Dominic Ekechukwu, Erobogha Useh, Obumneme Linky Nna, Nmachukwu Ifeoma Ekechukwu, Ogbonna Nnajiobi Obi, Emmanuel Nwabueze Aguwa, Sussan Uzoamaka Arinze-Onyia, Ukachukwu Okaroafor Abaraogu, Victor Adimabua Utti</p>
Introduction <p>Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is a leading causes of occupational injury and disability among drivers and workers in the transport industry. This study evaluated the ergonomically assessed WMSD and its determinants among Nigerian commercial mini bus drivers (BD) and mini bus conductors (BC)</p> Method <p>A total of 379 participants (BD = 200, BC = 179) were purposively sampled for this exploratory cross-sectional study. Participants’ WMSD and work related variables were respectively assessed using the standardized Nordic questionnaire and a content-validated, Driving Work Station Assessment (DWSA) form. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using chi-square and logistic regression. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05.</p> Results <p>The participants were aged between 20 and 66 years, with a mean age of 33.26±10.76years (BD = 38.42±10.22years, BC = 27.50±8.13years); most of whom consumed alcohol (84.4%) and experienced severe job stress (73.4%). There was a high prevalence (95.8%; BD = 94.5%, BC = 97.8%) of WMSDs, the lower back (66.8%) and upper back (54.1%) had the highest regional prevalence of WMSD. The BC (BC vs BD) had significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of Neck (47.7% vs 21.5%) and upper back (80.4% vs 30.5%) WMSDs. Conversely, the BD (BD vs BC) had significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of low-back (85.0% vs 46.4%), knee (25.0% vs 9.5%), elbow (11.5% vs 3.9%), and wrist (10.5% vs 3.4%) WMSD. There was a significant association between WMSD and each of work duration (X<sup>2</sup> = 11.634, p = 0.009), work frequency (X<sup>2</sup> = 8.394, p = 0.039), job dissatisfaction (X2 = 10.620, p = 0.001) and job stress (X<sup>2</sup> = 16.879, p = 0.001). Working beyond 4days/week (OR = 10.019, p = 0.001), job dissatisfaction (OR = 1.990, p = 0.031), constrained working postures (OR = 5.324, p = 0.003) and fatigue (OR = 4.719, p = 0.002) were the predictors of WMSD.</p> Conclusion <p>Job stress, work duration and work frequency, posture and fatigue are important determinants of WMSDs among mini bus drivers and their assistants in Nigeria. Ergonomics training intervention for this population is recommended.</p>Effectiveness of lumbar support with built-in massager system on spinal angle profiles among high-powered traffic police motorcycle riders: A randomised controlled trialNur Athirah Diyana Mohammad YusofKarmegam KarupiahShamsul Bahri Mohd TamrinIrniza RasdiVivien HowSivasankar SambasivamPutri Anis Syahira Mohamad JamilKulanthayan K. C. ManiHassan Sadeghi NaeiniDayana Hazwani Mohd Suadi Nata10.1371/journal.pone.02587962021-10-19T14:00:00Z2021-10-19T14:00:00Z<p>by Nur Athirah Diyana Mohammad Yusof, Karmegam Karupiah, Shamsul Bahri Mohd Tamrin, Irniza Rasdi, Vivien How, Sivasankar Sambasivam, Putri Anis Syahira Mohamad Jamil, Kulanthayan K. C. Mani, Hassan Sadeghi Naeini, Dayana Hazwani Mohd Suadi Nata</p>
Traffic police riders are exposed to prolonged static postures causing significant angular deviation of the musculoskeletal, including the lumbar angle (L1-L5). This postural alteration contributes to awkward posture, musculoskeletal disorders and spinal injury, especially in the lower back area, as it is one of the most severe modern diseases nowadays. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of lumbar support with a built-in massager system on spinal angle profiles among traffic police riders. A randomised controlled trial (pre-testpost-test control design) was used to assess spinal angle pattern while riding the high-powered motorcycle for 20 minutes. Twenty-four traffic police riders were randomly selected to participate and 12 riders were assigned to the control group and 12 riders to the experimental group. The pre-test and post-test were conducted at a one-week interval. Each participant was required to wear a TruPosture Smart Shirt (to monitor spinal posture). The TruPosture Apps recorded the spinal angle pattern. The data indicated that the police riders using motorcycle seat with lumbar support and built-in massager system showed a huge improvement in maintaining posture which only involves slight spinal angle deviation changes from the spinal reference angle throughout the 20 minutes ride. The data collected then were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed-ranked test to verify a statistically significant difference between and within the control and experimental groups. There were significant differences in all sensors between the control group and experimental groups (p<0.05) and within the experimental group. According to the findings, it can be said that the ergonomic intervention prototype (lumbar support with built-in massager system) successfully helps to maintain and improve the natural curve of the spinal posture. This indirectly would reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders and spinal injury among traffic police riders.Simple benchmarking method for determining the accuracy of depth cameras in body landmark location estimation: Static upright posture as a measurement examplePin-Ling LiuChien-Chi ChangJia-Hua LinYoshiyuki Kobayashi10.1371/journal.pone.02548142021-07-21T14:00:00Z2021-07-21T14:00:00Z<p>by Pin-Ling Liu, Chien-Chi Chang, Jia-Hua Lin, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi</p>
To evaluate the postures in ergonomics applications, studies have proposed the use of low-cost, marker-less, and portable depth camera-based motion tracking systems (DCMTSs) as a potential alternative to conventional marker-based motion tracking systems (MMTSs). However, a simple but systematic method for examining the estimation errors of various DCMTSs is lacking. This paper proposes a benchmarking method for assessing the estimation accuracy of depth cameras for full-body landmark location estimation. A novel alignment board was fabricated to align the coordinate systems of the DCMTSs and MMTSs. The data from an MMTS were used as a reference to quantify the error of using a DCMTS to identify target locations in a 3-D space. To demonstrate the proposed method, the full-body landmark location tracking errors were evaluated for a static upright posture using two different DCMTSs. For each landmark, we compared each DCMTS (Kinect system and RealSense system) with an MMTS by calculating the Euclidean distances between symmetrical landmarks. The evaluation trials were performed twice. The agreement between the tracking errors of the two evaluation trials was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The results indicate that the proposed method can effectively assess the tracking performance of DCMTSs. The average errors (standard deviation) for the Kinect system and RealSense system were 2.80 (1.03) cm and 5.14 (1.49) cm, respectively. The highest average error values were observed in the depth orientation for both DCMTSs. The proposed method achieved high reliability with ICCs of 0.97 and 0.92 for the Kinect system and RealSense system, respectively.Do psychosocial factors mediate the appearance of musculoskeletal symptoms? Evidence of an empirical study about the role of mental workload in computer workersMaría Soria-OliverJorge S. LópezFermín TorranoGuillermo García-González10.1371/journal.pone.02521792021-06-17T14:00:00Z2021-06-17T14:00:00Z<p>by María Soria-Oliver, Jorge S. López, Fermín Torrano, Guillermo García-González</p>
The emergence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) in computer workers is a relevant occupational health problem. This study tests a multilevel model of analysis of risk factors in the appearance of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in computer workers that integrates indicators from different areas: temporal usage patterns, ergonomic factors, psychosocial factors, and individual variables, specifically testing the possible mediating role of the mental workload. A cross-sectional study was performed through online registration with a non-probabilistic sample of 1198 workers from Spanish organizations. The results show that mental workload has a higher association than the rest of the factors with the onset of pain and discomfort in various body areas: neck in men, neck, shoulders and upper back in women. They also support the mediation role of mental workload in the relationship between usage patterns and the appearance of musculoskeletal symptoms. The use of multilevel theoretical models that adequately consider the complexity of the relationships between the different risk factors is necessary for a better understanding and intervention on MSSs in computer workers.Criterion validity of the ActiGraph and activPAL in classifying posture and motion in office-based workers: A cross-sectional laboratory studyThomas RadtkeManuel RodriguezJulia BraunHolger Dressel10.1371/journal.pone.02526592021-06-02T14:00:00Z2021-06-02T14:00:00Z<p>by Thomas Radtke, Manuel Rodriguez, Julia Braun, Holger Dressel</p>
Background <p>The ActiGraph and activPAL monitors are the most frequently used thigh-worn devices to measure motion and posture, but the criterion validity to measure sitting, standing and postural transfer in the office setting is not known. <i>Research question</i>: To examine the criterion validity of the ActiGraph and activPAL activity monitors in repeatedly measuring a variety of different postures and motion in the office setting.</p> Methods <p>Twenty office workers from the University of Zurich wore an ActiGraph and activPAL during two identical laboratory experiments lasting approximately 60 minutes each, within a maximum of 7 days. The experimental setting consisted of a standard computer office workstation with an electrically powered height-adjustable desk, a swivel chair without arm rests, a standard chair, a footrest, and a bookcase. The protocol consisted of 24 pre-defined tasks mimicking sitting, standing, stepping, and postural transitions around the workplace. All tasks were supervised and observed by the same experimenter.</p> Results <p>In repeated measurements (40 individual experiments), the percentages of correctly classified tasks for the ActiGraph and activPAL were, respectively, 100% vs. 85% for sitting, 87% vs. 100% for standing, and 100% vs. 73% for postural transitions. Both monitors correctly identified all stepping tasks. The activPAL misclassified sitting with legs outstretched, and sitting with both feet placed beneath the chair, as standing ~25–70% and 45% of the time, respectively. The ActiGraph misclassified standing with the right foot on a footrest as sitting in 65% of events.</p> Conclusions <p>The ActiGraph appears to be slightly more sensitive than the activPAL with respect to the measurement of sitting and postural transitions of short duration, whereas the activPAL seems to be slightly more accurate in capturing standing postures. This knowledge will help guide researchers to choose the best suitable monitor for their research setting.</p>