Showing 99 results for Ergonomic
Zeinab Kazemi, Hamidreza Mokhtarinia, Reza Oskuei Zadeh,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: In the recent decades, owing to the advancement of technology, most jobs and occupations require the use of computers. Lack of information about ergonomic conditions has resulted in various occupational injuries. Break time between work and doing exercise, help in reduction of musculoskeletal symptoms. The present study aimed to use a new ergo-feedback software and to assess its usability in office staff.
Methods: Thirty office staff participated in this study. In the first step, muscle-skeletal symptoms were checked by a body map checklist. Then, the Borg score was determined by the participants, initially and after one work day. The software was then run in their systems and they worked with it for about two weeks. After two weeks, the Borg scale was completed again and efficacy of the software was evaluated by the system usability scale (SUS). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and Wilcoxon test. Statistical analysis was done by the SPSS software version 19.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the Borg score pre and post intervention (P > .05). The majority of the users were satisfied with the software with the SUS score showing about 82.25% satisfaction.
Conclusions: According to this study, office workers were satisfied with using this software and it can help reduce musculoskeletal symptoms during a prolonged time period.
Mohsen Shojaatian, Heydar Sadeghi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: According to the effectiveness and low cost of prevention, ergonomic assessment methods as a means to predict the potential occurrence of injury are being used. The aim of the present research was the assessment of validity and reliability of researcher-made ergonomic assessment test for freestyle wrestling skills.
Methods: In this research, according to the jobs ergonomic evaluation tests and wrestling pathology research, an ergonomic evaluation test for wrestling skills (WSEAtest) was designed. Content and face validity were proved by using the opinions of sports biomechanics and pathology experts, as well as physicians, physiotherapists, trainers and wrestlers of Freestyle national team. Furthermore, the test was performed on three skills in two different days by five examiners, using Kinovea software 0.8.15; also, intra- and inter-tester reliability were calculated. After the reliability and validity approval, WSEAtest was performed on video records of four selected skills of Iranian freestyle wrestlers in London 2012 Olympic games.
Results: The injury exposure in various parts of body, traumatic factors related to collisions and loads, and athlete and environment conditions were consistent with wrestling pathological research and confirmed the validity of the test results.
Conclusions: WSEAtest has acceptable validity and reliability; trainers, specialists, and sports therapists can use this test to assess traumatic factors and identify priorities for training and corrective exercises in different wrestling levels, and in various ages.
Aram Tirgar, Zahra Aghalari, Fatemeh Salari,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (12-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are inevitable consequences of ergonomic principles neglect. The increasing use of computer by students may result in these disorders. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs and evaluate the effectiveness of ergonomics training intervention among university students.
Methods: This interventional and cross-sectional study was performed on a group of medical and paramedical students. Samples were chosen by simple sampling method. In the first stage, data were gathered by means of a self-made measurement and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Furthermore, an educational booklet regarding the principles of ergonomics in computer use (educational intervention) was offered to the subjects. In the second stage of the study, the effectiveness of intervention was evaluated using a written exam and a quasi-objective structured clinical examination (quasi-OSCE) test. Data were analyzed by SPSS 15, as well as descriptive and analytical statistical indexes.
Results: From 205 students participated in the first round of the study, the results showed that 62.44% of them (128 persons) reported at least one complain or limitation in their musculoskeletal systems during the past year. Less than 10% of the participants were aware about the considerations of ergonomics principals during computer use. After submission of the educational materials, their awareness about the ergonomics considerations in computer use significantly improved(P<0.001) and more than 95% of them had good or medium performance after the intervention.
Conclusions: The training program was effective on the awareness of ergonomics principles in computer use. However, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders requires complementary measures such as elimination of risk factors and administrative controls.
Rashid Heydari Moghadam, Majid Motamedzade, Mohammad Babamiri, Qhodratolah Roshanayi, Shiva Rastegari Yekta, Eghbal Zandkarimi,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (12-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Varicose veins in the lower limbs commonly occur in the general population and can negatively affect their quality of life. One of the high-risk jobs is the field hairdressers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ergonomic interventions on quality of life of female hairdressers suffering from diseases in the lower extremities varicose veins.
Methods: The study population was all female hairdressers of Hamadan Mahdieh clinic who were referred for medical examinations. Using simple random sampling method, 70 patients suffering from varicose disease were chosen and were classified to case and control groups. The intervention included an exercise protocol for the cases with varicose disease. The present study was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test and participants responded to Aberdeen varicose veins, chronic pain and muscle fatigue questionnaires, which were considered as indicators of quality of working life. Data was analyzed by paired sample t-test using of SPSS 16.
Results: The results showed that ergonomic interventions were effective on the rate of varicose score, pain and swelling score as well as the score of muscle fatigue of left and right lower limbs in the case group. The average scores of varicose veins, pain and swelling, and left and right lower extremity muscle fatigue in the case group decreased respectively 2.66, 2.4, 0.75 and 1.2.
Conclusions: With regard to the impact of exercise protocol on quality of working life in hairdresserd, the use of this protocol is recommended in patients with varicose veins disease.
Sara Dehnavi, Abdollah Vahedi, Majid Motamedzade Torghabe, Abbas Moghimbeigi,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (3-2017)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) occur when the pressure that applied to musculoskeletal tissue is/be more than tissue tolerant capabilities. This study aimed to assess the risk factors cause musculoskeletal disorders associated with manual tasks using ManTRA and conducted ergonomics intervention program(educational- engineering) among workers in the printing industry.
MethodS: In this interventional case-control study, 40 workers who performed manual tasks, ( 20 case group and 20 control group) were chosen and were investigated. Nordic Body Map was used to determine the intensity and position of pain in the Different part of the body. ManTRA method was performed to evaluate cumulative scores in four regions of the body (wrist / hand / arm - shoulder / neck - back - lower limb) for each workers before and after the intervention. Data analysis was done using SPSS.
Results: Data analysis showed that mean intensity of pain in the control group before and after intervention in the various regions of the body such as head /neck (p=0.012), right shoulder/arm (p=0.012), left shoulder/arm(p=0.043), back (p=0.003), right hand / wrist (p=0.028), left hand / wrist (p=0.027), right knee/ hip (p=0.005), left knee/ hip (p=0.005), right leg (p=0.012) & left leg(p=0.028) were significant.Cumulative score was also significant in the body regions such as arm/wrist /hand (p=0.001) and shoulder /neck (p=0.001) before and after the interventional program.
Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of this study, it could be noted that the ergonomic interventional program was effective to reduce the intensity of pain in the various regions of the body and risk factors causing cumulative damage in the workplace.
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Naser Sadra Abarghouei, Hamirdreza Jafarpour,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: A significant number of employees of any organization experience burnout, in many different countries. It is obvious that burnout prevention and mental health promotion play an important role in the improvement of the quality of services. One of the strategies that could be useful in reducing premature aging is deployment of a total ergonomics (ergonomics micro and macro). The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between variables considered in the context of total ergonomics and burnout.
Methods: The sample was selected from one of the hospitals in Yazd, including various departments with 506 employees. The sample size of 216 was determined according to Morgan. The data were collected through questionnaires and samples were selected through a stratified random sampling method.
Results: The results showed that moderate job burnout and perceived organizational support by the employees was lower than average, and there was a significant negative relationship between burnout and variables involved in comprehensive ergonomics. The study showed that demographic variables of burnout were effective on employees.
Conclusions: This study investigated burnout level, organizational support, organizational justice and physical environment. The reduction of Burnout was assessed by improved total ergonomic (macro and micro ergonomic) conditions. The results obtained in this study correspond with the results of various research studies. At the end of the study, based on the results, suggestions were made to reduce burnout.
Aram Tirgar, Seyed Ehsan Samaei,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Content analysis is amongst common methods of scientific research of journals. According to the paucity of such studies in the ergonomics scope and the need for information on the direction and characteristics of conducted research and in order to gain more detailed plans, this study aimed to perform a content analysis of scientific outputs regarding occupational Health with an emphasis on ergonomics.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on articles published by Persian and interior Latin journals with a minimum track record of 3 years for a period of 10 years, from 2005 to 2015. Data were collected via a researcher-made checklist, using census and based on the content analysis method.
Results: The extracted data, from 927 articles during the period of 10 years, from 5 specialized journals, showed that the largest share of researches was related to the ergonomics scope (24.27%). The main research tools used in ergonomics articles were questionnaires (69.77%). Based on the types of studies, only 15.55% of ergonomic researches were based on interventional studies.
Conclusions: Articles with the subject of ergonomics have increased over the past decade. Most research has been conducted with an emphasis on physical health; however, psychological and social aspects of health have been somewhat neglected. Most research in ergonomics scope was descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional. In this regard, more attention should be paid to interventional studies.
Majid Motamedzade, Asghar Payoon, Rashid Heydari Moghaddam3, Javad Fradmal, Mohammad Babamiri, Payam Heydari,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Muscle-skeletal disorders are one of the most common job-related disorders in industrial workplaces due to different reasons. The current study performed an ergonomic assessment using the key indicator index (KIM) in order to reduce injuries in the bottle-making salon of one of the detergent-producing industries of Qazvin province.
Methods: This study was an interventional study and consisted of 25 workers and was done in a bottle-making salon of one of the detergent-producing industries, during year 2016. For data collection, the Cornell questionnaire and key indicator index assessment method were used before and after the ergonomic interventions. Data was analyzed by descriptive analytical tests using the SPSS 16 software.
Results: According to the results, in the bottle production task (risk score: 4), the risk score decreased significantly by redesign (risk score: 2). Also, regarding the bottle's material, supply task that workers used to do it by manual material handling (risk score: 3), by redesign, risk score decreased significantly (risk score: 1).
Conclusions: In this study, musculoskeletal disorders decreased meaningfully by workstation ergonomic redesign after 5 months from the intervention.
Esmaeel Khanmohammadi, Farhad Tabatabai Ghomsheh, Reza Osqueizadeh,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Different studies around the world have shown that Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are the causes of lost time, absenteeism, and disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and to evaluate their ergonomic risk factors and determine the effect of ergonomic intervention on awkward postures among workers of Saipa Diesel Truck manufacturing plants.
Methods: This interventional study (Before-after) was conducted on 130 workers of 2 largest truck-manufacturing plants in Iran. The prevalence rate of MSDs and ergonomic risk factors was assessed by valid and reliable translated Body Map Questionnaire (BM) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method, respectively.
Results: According to Body Map results, 87.5% of participants had MSDs at least in one of their eleven body regions during the previous year, before study. The highest prevalence rate of MSDs was observed in lower back (51.5%) and foot area (18.5%). Chi square test revealed that the prevalence rate of MSDs was higher among those with higher QEC risk level (P < 0.001). Results also indicated the significant effect of ergonomic interventions on reducing the prevalence rate of MSDs and QEC risk level (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: This study showed that the prevalence rate of MSDs and QEC risk levels among workers was significantly high. Therefore, it can be mentioned that the need for early ergonomic interventions is felt in all industrial units of these truck-manufacturing plants.
Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Ismail Shokrolahi, Royan Shahpuri, Jamshid Yazdani-Charati,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, with the progressive development of various scientific, research and industrial fields, there are musculoskeletal disorders in computer and laptop users. Musculoskeletal disorders including pain and pressure in areas such as wrists, elbows, neck and shoulders, along with the fatigue of these areas, especially back and waist pain are common among many computer and laptop users. The aim of this study was to design a customizable ergonomic table for using laptops based on the anthropometric characteristics of students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was conducted on 108 (61 males and 47 females) students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Ten parameters including knee height sitting on a chair, eyes- elbows height, cross-legged posture kneeling length, cross-legged posture kneeling height, thick thighs, elbow rest height-sitting, shoulder-fingertip length, abdominal depth, hip breath, and elbow-fingertip length were measured using the adjustable seating, caliper and meter. The SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze the data. Then, the percentiles 1 to 99 and the golden number 1.618 were used to design the table.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 23 ± 3.14 years. Based on anthropometric characteristics, gold number, resulting percentiles and design equations, an adjustable ergonomic table was designed in three seated sitting, four-knee and Fowler’s positions.
Conclusions: It is expected that after putting this device on the laptop, the musculoskeletal disorders caused by its use will be reduced. Because of limited studies have been conducted in this area, it is suggested that further studies in this regard be undertaken in the future.
Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Mohsen Hosseini,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: Sitting for long periods of time is a part of the illness, which can happen in the workplace and the lack of attention to the ergonomic principles causes musculoskeletal disorders such as backache, pelvic ache, shoulder ache, elbow ache, arm ache, wrist and ankle ache, and muscle aches in the other parts of the body. The present research was carried out according to the ergonomic principles and designs, in order to design an ergonomic chair, suitable for the computer users in the monitoring room of one of the industries in the Mazandaran province.
Methods: The participants in this study included a total of 32 male staff from the monitoring room of one of the industries in the Mazandaran province. A total of 24 anthropometric parameters were measured from the body of each of the subjects, sitting in a vertical position on an adjustable chair, using anthropometric calipers and meters and the data were analyzed with the Excel and the Minitab statistical programs.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 42.59 ±5.34 years and the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of their anthropometric dimensions and Pearson's correlation coefficients were obtained to design the height, the depth, the height, and the width of the ergonomic chair. All parts of the chair had two degrees of freedom. The neck and back supports, adjustable for this type of chair were designed specifically. Also, using MIT standards, the level of seat compressibility was measured to be 4.26 cm, based on the 95th percentile weight.
Conclusion: Considering that other countries design and produce suitable chairs, focusing on the anthropometric characteristics of the individuals, studies, similar to this research could be recommended in the different parts of the country, in order to design and produce appropriate chairs for the physical dimensions of the people and their needs.
Dr Rashid Heidarimoghadam, Dr Mohammad Babamiri, Dr Majid Motamedzade, Nasrin Nouri,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: The design of tools may play an important role in development of the problems related to hands and arms. The health and satisfaction of those who use these tools can be affected by the improvement of ergonomic tools. This research aims to assess the local discomfort caused by the usage of common pencils comparing to the ergonomic ones.
Methods: 50 right-handed students (girls only) participated in this study. They wrote one paragraph using all the writing tools that were being studied in this research. At the end the comments were collected using the LPD questionnaire and were analyzed by t-test and Mann-Whitney test and SPSS version 23.
Results: The results of the CHQ questionnaire showed that this questionnaire could be a useful tool for assessing the comfort of using writing tools among students in the school environment. Also, the results from the LPD scale showed that this scale could be very helpful for assessing local perceived discomfort among school students. In the second part, the results of the comparison of the mean of data from the CHQ questionnaire and the LPD scale showed that there is a significant difference between the common pencils and the designed pencil for comfort and local perceived discomfort.
Conclusion: It was found that common pencils cause pain, pressure, inflammation and numbness in the hands and forearm and shoulder. And the use of designed ergonomic pencil will reduce the pressure and pain on the hands and shoulders.
Rashid Heidari Moghaddam, Mohammad Babamiri, Majid Motamedzade, Maryam Farhadian, Kamal Ebrahimi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The working station has a major impact on the musculoskeletal disorders, therefore a considerable attention to working station staff is of importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of working station on musculoskeletal disorders among administrative staff.
Methods: 30 administrative staff participated in this analytical descriptive study. Data was collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) in ergonomic design intervention of three working stations (sitting, standing-and-sitting, standing) before and after of intervention. Moreover, a t-test and multiple regression were used to analyze the data.
Results: The average (standard deviation) of the age and work record of 30 participating employees were 44.3 (5) and 20 (5) years, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the type of working station before and after the intervention, with the expression of musculoskeletal disorders (P=0.02). There was also a significant relationship between variables of musculoskeletal disorders in the shoulders, necks, waist and hands at different working stations. However, there was a significant relationship between age, work experience and BMI index with musculoskeletal disorders.
Conclusion: According to the results of this survey the best working station is a sitting-and-standing. Therefore, by changing the type of working stations, musculoskeletal discomfort of the employees will be reduced appropriately.
Mohammad Babamiri, Fakhradin Ghasemi, Rashid Heidari Moghadam, Jjalil Derakhshan, Mahnoush Karimi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: “Participatory ergonomics” is defined as an active participation of all members of the organization in the development and implementation of ergonomic knowledge in order to improve the working environment, quality, productivity and safety of the organization. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate process of working condition with the participatory ergonomic approach and its impact on one of the printing industries.
Methods: This research is an interventional study carried out in one printing industry center. To identify the ergonomic risk factors the “Nordic Questionnaire" and “Ergonomic Review Points” and to evaluate the quality employees’ working life, the NIOSH modified quality of life curriculum was used. The results were by conducting a paired t-test using SPSS20 software package.
Results: The investigation of health, and working conditions using the supplementary checklist before and after applying the review points with participatory ergonomic approach shows a significant increase. Data analysis using the paired t-test showed a significant improvement in quality of working life and reduction of musculoskeletal disorders after intervention (P <0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that the individuals’ social skills and abilities have increased by participation in the process of participatory ergonomics. Increasing the quality of working life has a significant role to improve the health of workers and reduce occupational accidents. Therefore, the implementation of participatory ergonomic program with the collaboration of industrial managers can be an effective step towards achieving human resource satisfaction and health.
Fatemeh Hashempour, Naser Sadra Abarghouei,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The design and manufacturing process in electronic companies is the most time consuming work behind computers. Because of the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in computer users, researchers need to identify risk factors and ergonomic problems and ways to reduce them.
Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical study and was conducted as an intervention in Behpajooh engineering company in Isfahan. Statistical sampling was done by global sampling (31 people). The Nordic questionnaire and the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) were used to evaluate the risk factors of ergonomics. Data analysis was performed by using McNemar and Wilcoxon's non-parametric tests and using SPSS software.
Results: The results of the Nordic questionnaire, before ergonomic intervention, the frequency of problems in elbow is zero, in waist, upper back, neck and shoulders is 45-38%. Evaluation of Ergonomic Risk Factors derived from the Rapid Office Strain Assessment before intervention showed 35.5% (11 people) at low risk, 38.7% (12 people) in the warning zone and 25.8% (8 people) in the area requiring ergonomic intervention. Statistical analysis of ergonomic interventions showed that the number of people in the area of warning and necessity are less than the number of people before intervention.
Conclusion: The most musculoskeletal disorders were reported in the neck, lower back, upper back and shoulders. Statistical results after ergonomic intervention indicate a decrease in these disorders. The results led to the understanding that the risks in electronic companies could be reduced by ergonomic interventions. Implementation of ergonomic interventions based on engineering, management and educational proceeding can be effective in reducing musculoskeletal disorders.
Reza Khani Jazani, Mostafa Hasanvand,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize some factors affecting the trainers' satisfaction of Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) by integrating QFD and Kano models.
Methods: In this study, 435 trainees, aged 18 to 22 years old, were selected to complete the Kano questionnaire through direct communication and interview with the user in one of the centers of technical and vocational education in Tehran, Iran. In this study, Kano model and quality function development (QFD) integration methods were used to improve the design of technical and vocational institutions' workshops ergonomically and based on the needs of users. After completing the Kano questionnaire by these individuals, the responses were analyzed and the results were entered into the house of quality (HOQ) matrix.
Results: The results of the house of quality (HOQ) matrix in this study showed that design and safe application factor, as one of the most important safety features, had a weight coefficient of j=7.35. However, the furniture adjusting criterion with a weight coefficient of j= 1.09 had the lowest importance from the user's viewpoint. In addition, the thickness of materials and furniture with an absolute significance of AI=52.1 had no significant relation with ergonomics and comfort.
Conclusion: This results showed that both the Kano model and QFD integration method can be used in identifying and determining the priorities of the product design and work environment from the users' perspective.
Saseed Ilbeigi, Nafise Rastegar, Marzieye Saghebjoo, Ahmad Ebrahimi Etri, Hosein Farzaneh,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between ergonomic of educational equipments with anthropometrical parameters and upper extremity abnormalities in primary school girl students in Mashhad.
Methods: In this way, 14225 girl students were selected as statistical population, and then 375 subjects randomly were selected as a samples study. Some anthropometrical parameters as; popliteal height, popliteal-buttock length, elbow height from 90° angle, and shoulder height from setting position along with some educational equipments dimension used such as bench height, bench depth, desk height and width were measured. Moreover, upper extremity abnormalities including lumbar lordosis and thorax kyphosis were evaluated by flexible ruler. The related anthropometrical measures along with desk and bench dimensions also were determined in range of accepted limit (AL), over range of accepted limit and below range of accepted limit for each of benches and desks dimension. For statistical analysis the Chi-Square test in contingency tables, Cramer’s phi were used by SPPS version 16 (P<0/05).
Results: The result of this study indicated that the 81/8 percent of benches was higher than max accepted limit of the popliteal height, and 76/8 of students used some desks that was higher than max accepted limit (P<0/05). Bench depth was inappropriate for %100 of students and smaller than min accepted limit. Furthermore significant relationship observed between measure match bench height with popliteal height and abnormalities lordosis and kyphosis (p≤0/05).
Conclusion: The result of present study indicated that educational equipments of the Mashhad schools had no minimum ergonomic standard.
Seyed Nader Aghilian, Mohsen Rahami, Houshang Shambayati,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Establishing order depends on different arrangements in many aspects of lif. The fulfillment of order should be along with good policy and developed strategic principles, at the micro level and with the correct, firm and prudence legislation in the institutions and governance. Forensic ergonomics is one of the fields that helps this aim. Today it has become more widely used due to the creation of legal problems in the field of accidents and injuries. Therefore, this study reviews articles about forensic ergonomics and the effect of ideology on it.
Materials & Methods: This is a review study. The English articles published in Pubmed, Scopus, and Google scholar were chosen using keywords such as “forensic ergonomics” and “forensic human factor” without time limit; at least 3 articles were eligible.
Results: In the review section, the results showed that there is an agreement in the definition of forensic ergonomics, but there are very few studies. The results also showed that the use of forensic ergonomics is increasing, and the prospect of this area is positive. In the analytical section, the results also indicated that the review and suggestions for the creation of laws in the field of accidents should be assigned to the judicial system, not the executive or legislative system.
Conclusion: In order to progress in the field of legal ergonomics and to prevent the impact of ideology and politics on legislation, there is a need for further introduction and training of experts in this field and paying attention to the rational and scientific principles.
Mahshid Bahrami, Mansoureh Sadeghi, Alireza Dehdashti, Meysam Karami,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: working with computer for long duration, static condition, and poor posture may lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to assess an educational and ergonomic intervention on improving work procedure among computer users in office work in 2016.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 28 employees of administrative staff of Damghan Velayat Hospital. In order to determine the level of ergonomic risk, the physical status of patients was evaluated before and 6 months after intervention using ROSA method. The ergonomic principles were also used to increase the staff’s awareness. Finally, one-way analysis of variance and independent t-test were used to analyze the statistical data.
Results: Prior to the implementation of the educational intervention program, the most important risk factors were in the neck (P=0.009), elbows (P=0.019) and shoulders (P=0.031), respectively. After the intervention, this level of risk was reduced in the organs, which was a significant change. There were also other variables; age (P=0.028), gender (P=0.015), BMI (P=0.040), education level (P=0.047) and job experience (P=0.025). They had a significant effect on the final score of ROSA.
Conclusion: The results indicated the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk level by ROSA method which requires ergonomic intervention in the design of the environment, tools and equipment along with educational intervention.
Bahram Ipaki,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s is a progressive disease of the nervous system that by affecting the body movements, affects patients’ quality of life and makes daily tasks like eating, difficult and time consuming for them. The aim of this study was to improve the comfort situation of Parkinson patient when eating by identifying ergonomic problems, and designing product for this.
Methods: 12 Parkinson’s patients were chosen by simple random sampling method. Data was collected through a translated Interview of the Discomfort Questionnaire section of ErgoFellow Software and direct observation of patients while eating. After the final data analysis and extraction of design guidelines, design ideas were sketched and the final design was formed after AHP evaluation.
Results: Discomfort Questionnaire data (the average rate of 10.6out of 7 (1. 514)) showed that the non-ergonomic posture of hands, fingers, wrists, arms, elbows, neck, upper back (lumber), and shoulders, the discomfort rate while eating, is more intense, compared to other parts of the body . Observations have also shown that in order to near food to patient mouth, occur Non-ergonomic changes in the patient’s posture. Therefore, designing product should be done using anthropometric data.
Conclusion: The results showed that reduction of mouth-to-food distance would reduce discomfort and fatigue for the Parkinson’s patient. Therefore, using anthropometric data, a height-adjustable product was designed and developed that improves the position of the posture and reduces the patient’s discomfort situation during eating food.
