Mehdi Omidi, Amin Asgharzadeh, Seifollah Gharib, Mohsen Vahedi, Amir Salar Jafarpisheh,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The proliferation of computers, along with the development of software and the Internet, has revolutionized the work and life of people with disabilities, including those with spinal cord injuries with limited mobility in the arms. The efficiency and usability of the aids provided to these people is very important; because they have more limitations than ordinary people. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency and usability of human-computer interface in cervical spinal cord injury with two biofeedback EMG methods based on computer games and without computer games.
Methods: The sample size was 20 participants (healthy and with spinal cervical lesions) who were selected regarding availability. The statistical population of the study (that was conducted 2019-2020) was spinal cord injury patients referred to spinal cord injury clinic in Tehran. Participants received three 30-minute sessions per week for 1 month of EMG biofeedback training and game-based biofeedback interventions. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis.
Results: Results showed that participants considered using EMG biofeedback and game biofeedback as 75/8% and 72/0% usability. Over time, the “through put” numerical values of the variable decreased in healthy individuals and spinal cord injury. Also, the numerical values of this variable were lower in healthy individuals than in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The maximum reduction in numerical values of the “through put” variable appeared between the first and sixth sessions.
Conclusion: The EMG and gaming biofeedback system can be used for interaction and control such as computers, wheelchairs, and more.
Fereshteh Hosseini, Mehrnaz Haghighi, Seifollah Gharib,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Effectiveness assessment of multifaceted long-term ergonomics interventions in an automotive company Introduction: Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders requires evaluation and improvement of work situations using ergonomic posture assessment methods. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of multifaceted and long-term ergonomic interventions in a developing automobile manufacturing company using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method.
Methods: A long-term multifaceted intervention study was conducted on 70 office employees of an automotive engineering service company in three stages from 2016 to 2022. Interventions were carried out according to the scores obtained in the sub-areas of the ROSA method including chair, mouse and keyboard, telephone, and monitor. The interventions included technical-engineering and educational interventions. Finally, descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.
Results: The average score of ROSA in 2016 was 5.9 with a standard deviation of 0.66, while the average score of ROSA in 2022 was 3.85 with a standard deviation of 1.19. There was a statistically significant difference between the final score of ROSA in 2016 and 2022 (P < 0.001). Statistical tests showed that only the technical-engineering intervention had a significant effect on the ROSA final score.
Conclusion: The results of the present study have shown a favorable reduction in the final risk level of the physical condition of the employees during work due to the improvement of the physical condition as a result of the technical-engineering intervention along with the educational intervention in accordance with the components of the ROSA method.
