Showing 46 results for Type of Study: Review
Mohammad Sadeagh Sohrabi, Neda Mahdavi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the most effective methods for managing ergonomic risk factors in the workplace is to involve employees in identifying and assessing ergonomic risk factors and ultimately designing and implementing interventions by themselves. Therefore, this study aimed to implement a participatory ergonomic program, focusing on the transfer of ergonomic knowledge to employees, and to examine the effects of interventions on the macroeconomic indexes.
Methods: This semi-experimental interventional study was carried out in cooperation with all staff of one of the medical diagnostic laboratories in Isfahan (11 people) in 2017. A participatory ergonomic program was implemented based on the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW) Guide. Then, the differences in the level of macro ergonomic elements such as job satisfaction and increase in motivating potential score of employees were studied before and after the interventions resulting from participatory ergonomic program (OHCOW) in this work environment. The data was analyzed using SPSS 23.
Results: Job satisfaction before and after ergonomic interventions had no significant difference (a relative increase), but in one of the scales, namely organizational climate, there was a significant change (P=0.016). Also, the motivating potential score of employees after the intervention was significantly higher than before (P=0.013).
Conclusion: In this study, participatory ergonomics were used to improve some aspects of macro ergonomic elements. Based on the results of this study, participatory ergonomics can increase some job satisfaction scores and motivating potential score of employees. Finally, it is suggested that allocate a longer duration for intervention utilization.
Esmaeil Shoja, Ali Choupani, Masoumeh Gharaee, Mohsen Ghanbari,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Using appropriate methods for ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders has an important role in controlling these risks and providing workforce health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying WERA method to assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders through its correlation with the results of QEC.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 72 employees of workshop sections of a modern brick industry. Data were collected using a Nordic questionnaire to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the past 12 months and WERA and QEC methods to ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18.
Results: The prevalence of back, shoulder, neck and wrist disorders were 41.7%, 20.8%, 16.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Results of WERA showed that 88.9% of subjects had medium action level and 11.1% had high action level. In QEC method, 6.9% of subjects had exposure level ‘one’, 20.8% of subjects had exposure level ‘two’, 48.6% of subjects had exposure level ‘three’, and 23.7% of subjects had exposure level ‘four’. The correlation between QEC total score and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was (r=0.67, P=0.038). The correlation coefficient between the final scores of the two methods was (r=0.53, P=0.021).
Conclusion: Examination of the correlation between the mean scores of the two methods indicated a moderate correlation between them. Correlation between prevalence of disorders and QEC and WERA scores showed that QEC results were more consistent with Nordic results and it can be said that QEC method was more suitable for ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders risk for different tasks in this study.
Siavash Etemadi Nejad, Seyyed Esmail Hosseininejad, Jamshid Yazdani Charati, Fariba Ghaempanah, Mahmoud Yousefi Chemazkati, Mojtaba Ahmadi, Ali Amani,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sewing is one of the occupations where the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high. Sewing conditions at the workstation have made tailors face musculoskeletal injuries in various areas of their body, particularly pain in the neck, shoulder, and upper back and even waist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a workstation designed for tailoring considering the results of previous studies on the neck and shoulder muscles of users by electromyography.
Methods: In this interventional analytical study, the activity levels of four superficial neck and shoulder muscles (meridian, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, posterior deltoid) were Electromyographed on 33 participants (male and female) at two new and custom designed workstations.
Results: There was a significant difference in the amount of muscle activity in the new and existing workstations (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between the different modes of the new workstation.
Conclusion: All four muscles were less active at the new workstation than the conventional workstation, meaning that the designed workstation was able to reduce neck and shoulder muscle activity during work.
Mohammad Sadegh Sohrabi, Mehrdad Anbarian,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Using anthropometric characteristics in the ergonomic design of workstations can be useful in the prevention and reduction of musculoskeletal discomfort and in office-work environments. The purpose of this study was to determine the anthropometric dimensions of Hormozgan province gas department staff to design desks and chairs for computer work based workstations.
Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study for measuring 36 anthropometric variables of 121 Hormozgan province gas company staff selected by cluster random method. After collecting anthropometric data considering ergonomic design criteria, dimensions of desk and office chairs are designed.
Results: Participants were 80.2% male and 19.8% female with a mean age of 35.11 and a standard deviation of 6.6 between 25 and 59 years. The mean and standard deviation of height measured was 170.7 and 8.06 cm, respectively. Anthropometric results are shown separately by gender and percentile in the tables. Dimensions of chair and office desk are designed based on obtained data.
Conclusion: The presented anthropometric desks can be used in future studies and designs. Also, the dimensional characteristics of the furniture provided can be a practical guide for designing and manufacturing office workstations.
Neda Mahdavi, Maryam Zarei, Negin Keshvari, Younes Mohammadi, Mahdi Zarei, Rashid Heidarimoghadam,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the most important aspects of ergonomics is physiologic balance between human characteristics and their jobs. This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics of janitor, safety guard and facility workers of a work organization and determine their physiological fit.
Methods: A total of 70 staff were evaluated using Queen's college step test, N20 body composition analyzer, SECA scale, RS800CX Polar pacemaker. Descriptive statistics and analytical tests including ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.
Results: Body Mass Index (BMI) and fat percentage (Fat%) of employees were beyond the optimal range, but Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) were in the range. Also, the average Maximum Volume of Oxygen consumption (VO2max) were 42/1±62/33 mL/kg/min and the average of working capacity (maximum Physical Work Capacity: PWCmax) were 16/63±4/46 kcal/min.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the level of some physical characteristics is inappropriate, physical fitness is poor and individual capabilities and job requirements are not in balance. Using standardized recruitment tests, providing the possibility of sports activities (by organizations) and finding integrated indicators that simultaneously take into account the physical, mental, social and environmental capabilities of individuals to determine work capacity (by researchers), can be facilitating steps to establish an ergonomic balance in the workplace.
Ali Salehi Sahlabadi, Afsaneh Riazat, Sheari Sury, Negar Saffarinia, Zahra Damerchi, Mostafa Pouyakian,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Nursing errors are a serious threat to patient safety, which can lead to increased public concern and distrust of recipients of health care services and refusal to undergo treatment. Therefore, the present study examines types of causes of nurses' errors, reasons for not reporting them and ways to reduce errors.
Methods: The present study was a narrative review study of English and Persian articles on nurses' errors in the period (2008-2018) and was done in 2019. Articles were searched in three internal databases such as SID, Magiran and Iran Medex and five external databases of Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Springer.
Results: Most nursing errors were in the form of functional errors. Risk factors were divided into nurse, organization, ward, and patient-related error factors. The reasons for nurses' failure to report errors include professional reputation and legal problems. Error reduction strategies are such as nursing education and management controls.
Conclusion: Nursing errors have been studied in various ways. These studies are not only aimed at identifying nurses' errors, but also to enhance knowledge and knowledge about the possible causes and preventive factors. The benefits of this view of the articles lead to the provision of appropriate health care services, proper planning for hospitals by managers, and the advancement of nursing education. However, fewer studies have used modern methods of hazard identification.
Farzad Nazem, Abbas Rezaei, Majid Jalili, Hossein Saki,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Accurate and rapid measurement of cardiorespiratory system performance by estimation methods regardless of basic physiological fitness level, geographical environment, culture and nutrition is of paramount importance. The purpose of this study was to design linear regression equations to estimate the aerobic capacity of healthy adolescent boys without the use of sport tests and validation of this equations.
Methods: In the present semi-experimental study, 156 healthy adolescent boys aged 13 to 17 years with a mean body mass index of 21.43 ± 4.5 Kg / m2 were selected by purposive sampling method. To design the non-sport equation for estimating maximum oxygen consumption (VO2peak), a multiple regression linear model and Pearson correlation were used to validate the equations.
Results: Significant correlations were observed between the measured VO2peak and the anthropometric and physiological variables (R=0.122 - 0.799, P<0.001). Also, a valid non-exercise linear equation for boys' VO2peak prediction was designed with variables such as age, BMI and resting heart rate (SEE = 3.59 mL/kg/min, R2 = 0.712, P<0.001). The estimated VO2peak from equations had a significant correlation with the obtained criterion value. (R = 0.707 – 0.730, P<0.01).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it is possible to use aerobic capacity estimation equations, is a simple, accurate, safe tool in assessing the baseline cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak). The use of non-Exercise equations in the planning of exercise in large populations of adolescent boys and even as a daily clinical practice in the elderly and heart patients with the goals of promoting health, cardiovascular health, preventive actions is very important.
Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Seyedeh Fatemeh Razzaghi Pahnehkolai, Fariba Qhaempanah, Amirhossein Mahdavi, Ahmad Reza Veisi,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Two toilets in sitting-type and squatting-type (Traditional) are currently used by Iranian People. Since each of these two types has its own disadvantages and merits, this research aims to design a squatting-type toilet based on ergonomic principles to eliminate its disadvantages.
Methods: 61 subjects (29 males and 32 females) aged 19-60 years were enrolled in this study. Seven anthropometric characteristics were measured using a tape measure with an accuracy of one millimeter in these subjects. A questionnaire containing 4 questions was given to them. Each person was squatting for 2 minutes on different slopes from 0 to 20 degrees. Assessment of Localized Postural Discomfort (LPD) by asking people at 3 points of body, at different slopes, and goniometry in the areas of (A), (B) ,(C) and (D) was also performed.
Results: Based on the anthropometric characteristics of the individuals, LPD and goniometry findings in different areas of the body and dimensions of toilet in the sole position, length 32.33 and width 12.74 cm was obtained. The angle between the soles of the feet was 23.33 degrees and the required slope of the soles was 12 degrees.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that modification of the sole position in squatting-type toilet and its sloping design can be effective in making users comfortable. Given the small number of studies on this type of toilet, further studies in this area, including research on specific populations such as the disabled people, children, pregnant women, the elderly, etc., are necessary.
Mohammadreza Jannati, Hamed Aghaei, Taleb Askaripoor, Mehdi Khazaei, Ehsan Bayat Khalaji, Elahe Kazemi,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite the main role of cranes in advancing construction operations, however, accidents and occupational injuries resulting from their activities have become a critical issue. Recent evidence suggests that the cause of these problems may be associated with the absence of design of the interior space of the crane cabin, and the tasks of the operators, based on ergonomic principles. This study was conducted to assess the ergonomic risk of the tower crane operator’s activities and redesigning the dimensions and interior space of these cranes, based on the anthropometric dimensions of Iranian operators.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 30 male tower crane operators working on three major construction projects in Tehran were investigated. Initially, a multi-step approach was applied to define the problem, including: observing the working statuses, interviewing operators, Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire, and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) method. Then, using anthropometric data, the dimensions and interior space of the crane chamber were redesigned.
Results: The results of the rapid upper limb assessment method showed that the activities of tower crane operators were at high and very high-risk levels. Also, 85% and 38.5% of these people reported pain and discomfort in one of the nine areas of their body in the last 12 months and 7 days, respectively. In this study, the dimensions of the interior space of the redesigned tower crane cabin were obtained 160.8×144.1×199.7.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the current interior design of the tower crane cabin does not fulfill the needs of the operators. Hence, redesigning it appears essential to enhance human-machine compatibility, improve safety and productivity, and prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
Elham Salvarzi, Alireza Choobineh, Mehdi Jahangiri, Sareh Keshavarzi,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: Craniofacial anthropometry and anthropometric ratios are used in different sciences such as dentistry, medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, growth studies, plastic surgery, bioengineering and production of personal protective equipment. The purpose of this study is to introduce Digimizer software to measure facial dimensions and compare manual dimensional measurement and photoanthropometry with this software.
Methods: In This descriptive-analytical study 12 female students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences participated. Measurement of face dimensions of samples was done manually and by photographic methods and data analysis was performed with SPSS software version 19 and descriptive-analytical tests.
Results: From the ten dimensions of the measured dimensions, a significant difference was observed in the three dimensions of the Subnasal-Nasal Root Length (SNRL), Menton-Nasal Root Length (MNRL) (Face Length) and Bitragion-Menton Arc (TRMA) dimensions,(P <0.05 ). No significant differences were observed in other dimensions. The ICC (Intra Class Correlation) coefficient for both methods was obtained in the range of 0.56-0.94.
Conclusion: This study showed that the use of Digimizer software can replace the use of manual method in measuring the dimensions of the face and in the preparation of anthropometric database of the face in less time is preferable to the manual method.
Hossein Manouchehri, Payam Moradpour, Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Ebrahim Aga-Rafiei,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (10-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: A well-designed desk and chair, in addition to proper learning, can prevent changes in the user's physical form. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the anthropometric characteristics of students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources located at the University of Tehran to design an ergonomic table and chair.
Methods: In this research, 18 anthropometric characteristics including the popliteal height, knee height, shoulder height, eye height, sitting height, elbow support height, elbow height, knotted elbow length, hip-popliteal length, hip-knee length, thigh thickness, abdominal depth, chest depth, hip width, shoulder width, the transverse width of the elbows, height, and as well as weight for 260 students (130 girls and 130 boys) aged 18 to 35 years were investigated. To collect data, an anthropometric chamber and chair were used. Finally, according to the measured physical dimensions of the students, the Dimensions of ergonomic table and chair were calculated and designed according to the INSO 9697-1 standard.
Results: Anthropometric dimensions of students were obtained through mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, mean, and the percentile value of 2.5 to 97.5 using SPSS version 20 software. The results showed that the age of the user does not have a significant effect on the size of the table and the chair. Also, the results showed that there was a significant difference in popliteal height between girls and boys.
Conclusions: Considering the difference in dimensions between female and male students, it was found that the popliteal height in the percentile of 5 for boys is 4 cm more than girls. Therefore, using measured anthropometric characteristics, the dimensions of the chair and table ergonomics were designed in two sizes.
Maryam Mosavi Ghahfarokhi, Davood Afshari, Gholam Abbas Shirali,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In recent decades, several major accidents have occurred in high-reliability industries such as petrochemical companies. Accident analysis shows that the occurrence of more than 90% of accidents in industries are due to human factor and only with technical-engineering measures and the establishment of safety rules and regulations can not be institutionalized safe behaviors in such industries. Therefore, despite a slight reduction in human presence in these industries, the potential for human error risks is still high. The aim of this study was to identify and assess human errors in a petrochemical plant using the technique for the retrospective and predictive analysis of cognitive errors (TRACEr).
Methods: The sample size was all the eight operators of control room working in four shifts. In the first step, all tasks were analyzed using the hierarchical task analysis in order to identify sub-tasks. Then, for all the subtasks, different error modes (external and internal), psychological error mechanism (PEM) and performance shaping factors (PSFs) were identified and recorded in TRACEr sheet.
Results: The analysis of TRACEr sheets indicated that of a total number of 1171 detected errors, the internal and external errors were 50.67% (n=593) and 49.33% (n=578), respectively. In this line, ̔timing/sequence̕ errors with 35.36% and 'quality/selection' errors with 30.03% were identified as the highest and lowest external error modes, respectively. In classifying the internal error modes, action errors with 31.87% and decision making with 10.73% were identified as the highest and lowest external error modes, respectively. Within PEMs, ̔distraction/preoccupation̓ (23.61%) was identified as the main causes of perception errors. The analysis of the PSFs shows that ‘Organization’ with 27.95% and ‘task complexity’ with 8.74% were two main factors affecting the task errors.
Conclusion: The current study could identify many of the errors and conditions that affect the performance of operators. Therefore, this study can be introduced as a basis for managers and stockholders of chemical industries with complexity and high risk in order to prioritize human error prevention programs.
Reza Sepahvand, Massome Momeni Mofrad,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Improving and developing service delivery requires the free flow of information and knowledge. Therefore, addressing this factor and examining the role of its determinants can lead to the reputation of the organization in providing services. One of the most important factors is the dismissal of employees in the environment, which leads to a lot of job tension. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exclusion in the workplace on knowledge concealment with respect to the mediating role of job tension.
Methods: This study is based on the applied purpose and from the perspective of how to collect data in the field of descriptive survey studies. The statistical population of this study consists of all staff of public hospitals in Lorestan province. Using stratified-random sampling method, 124 people were selected as the research sample. The data required in this study were collected using the Liu et al. (2016) Workplace Rejection Questionnaire, the O'Reilly et al. (2014) Knowledge Concealment Questionnaire, and the Peng Job Tension Questionnaire (2013) based on 5 options Likert. The data collected in this study were analyzed by structural equation modeling using Smart-pls software.
Results: The results of this study showed that rejection in the workplace can lead to the spread of knowledge concealment behaviors. Also, rejection through increased job stress can lead to the development of knowledge concealment.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, managers of service organizations should develop strategies to improve the level of mutual acceptance of people in the workplace and prevent rejection of individuals to reduce knowledge concealment behaviors.
Rashid Heidarimoghadam, Ali Akbar Khasseh, Hossein Vakilimofrad, Abbas Fattahi, Mohammad Reza Amiri,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (10-2021)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Every scientific activity needs to know the previous related scientific activities so that its various aspects can be better investigated in order to obtain a richer intellectual heritage. So this article aims to identify and analyze the historical origins of ergonomics using two scientometric techniques named RPYS and RPYS-Co.
Methods: This applied research was conducted in a scientometrics method. The research data consists of 31239 articles in the field of Ergonomics which were indexed over the 20-year period (2000-2019) in Web of Science database. After extracting all the references of these articles, the results were analyzed using the CRExplorer software.
Results: Results showed that in the field of ergonomics, from 1700 to 2000, a total of 19 mutations occurred in the two periods of 1900-1700 and 2000-1900. The article "the information capacity of the human motor system in controlling the amplitude of movement" by Fitts (1954) was recognized as an outstanding and index work. According to RPYS-CO results, the most co-citations with index work are related to the works of 1997 and 2004, which are on Fitts Law.
Conclusion: In the period of 1700 to1900 influential works were related to psychology, biology and economics, and during 1900-2000 influential works were related to psychological theories, work environment and research methodology.
Arezoo Sammak Amani, Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Morteza Mahdavi, Fariba Ghaempanah,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (12-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: For many employees, students and “Behind the desk jobs”, most of the daily work is done while sitting on a chair and behind a desk. This happens while many studies are associating long-term sedentary posture with musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases, etc. The aim of the present research is to design a tool that helps to change the working posture of people who work at sedentary workstations from sitting to stand-sit posture.
Methods: The measurements needed to design a desk converter were extracted from the existing anthropometric data of the Iranian community between the ages of 6-19 and 20-60 for both sexes, using 4 anthropometric parameters of elbow (to floor) height sitting, eye height sitting, elbow height standing and eye height standing. These values were used to obtain the difference between the required work surface of the hand while sitting and standing (keyboard position) and the difference of the required work surface of the eye while sitting and standing (display position). Due to the adjustability of this tool, 5th percentile of women and 95th percentile of men were used to achieve the required range of changes.
Results: The desk converter constitutes two parts, 1. Top surface (meant for monitor) and 2. the keyboard tray. The difference in the height of these two surfaces was calculated 12cm. The maximum height of the desk converter (adjustable range) for both age groups was 68 cm due to changes in sitting and standing elbow height. The width and depth of the desk are set at 90 by 50 cm, and the keyboard and mouse surface, with a width equal to the desk’s and a depth of 20 cm, creates sufficient and comfortable space for users.
Conclusion: It is envisioned that by using this tool and changing the posture of individuals from an entirely sitting posture to standing and sitting alternation, a contribution to the reduction of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer problems can be made.
Mrs Laleh Nazari, Dr Azadeh Shahcheraghi, Dr Iraj Etessam,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (12-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Job satisfaction and improving employee performance due to direct relationships with individual and environmental factors is one of the most important issues in optimizing the industrial environment. Since the main lever of decreasing or increasing productivity is human resources, one of the issues that will engage the leading managers in the coming decade is trying to increase employee productivity. Regarding the disposal of some affairs to the private sector and lack of adequate health supervision, in some cases, we witness an increase in this disorder in our country. The physical environment of the built environment affects mental health directly and indirectly, meaning that the physical environment, such as the residence and workplace, is a place for human life and some of its psychological effects are unknown.
Methods: The purpose of this research is to explain the model optimization model of labor and the industrial environment through architectural standards. This research is an applied research. In this research, the opinions were gathered through interviews. Then using grounded theory and open, axial and selective coding, the model was developed. In the following, confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the validity of the items by Lisrel software.
Results: The results showed that indices such as environmental and physical ergonomics, visual contrast of space, environmental psychology, spatial separation of space, attention to voice and color are influential.
Conclusion: Psychological comfort is an inevitable aspect of user satisfaction studies. These findings help designers, architects, planners, and facility managers to develop workplace design principles.
Abdollah Vahedi, Iman Dianat,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (9-2022)
Abstract
Objectives: The challenges that have been raised today, such as changes in population structure, diverse workforce, mass production, and automation of production, indicate the need to review production systems. Classical ergonomic solutions are no longer suitable for carrying heavy loads and repetitive activities. By supporting workers to reduce physical and mental stress, human-centered assistant applications (HCAAs) should solve this problem. The technical problems of the exoskeleton have been investigated in many scientific studies, but its effect on the human user has not been paid much attention to. So, this study reviews the studies that have examined industrial exoskeletons from the ergonomic point of view
Methods: Papers concerning exoskeleton in ergonomic studies are reviewed using Scopus and PubMed databases. The selected papers were published in the reviewed journals from 2014 to 2021. Books, conference papers, and reports are not included in this study. In the present study, only official scientific journals in English are reviewed, and the references obtained from the search are screened by the title and abstract. The full text of the papers is checked if the abstract does not contain enough information. Those papers that met the inclusion criteria are listed in this review.
Results: Studies on ergonomic industrial exoskeletons account for a small share of studies on industrial exoskeletons. From 2012 to the time of conducting this study, 96 studies were found on industrial exoskeletons, of which 10.41% design or evaluate industrial exoskeletons from an ergonomic point of view. This is very small compared to the studies on exoskeleton conducted since 2012 and only about 0.4% of the studies.
Conclusion: The reviewed studies emphasize the facilitation of the successful use of exoskeletons in occupational structures by considering at least three dimensions (physical requirements, task performance, and usability), all of which can contribute to determining the potential efficiency of exoskeletons in the work environment. Due to the potential of this technology, more studies should be conducted in the future to cover some of the identified challenges and compare the exoskeleton design methods under more diverse and more realistic situations.
Hamed Yarmohammadi, Mahdi Jahangiri, Moslem Alimohammadlou, Fateme Rahmati,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Objectives: Planning and scientific policy making is required for the investigation of scientific productions. Scientific productions are published through universities and research centers in the form of articles and research journals. Scientometric approaches are a tool to assess the performance of journals in different fields. The aim of the present study was to investigate the activity of ergonomics journal.
Methods: The current research was a practical objective with the descriptive data collection method, which was conducted with a scientometric approach. The research population consists of all the articles published in ergonomics journal during the years 1392 to 1401. Publish or Perish, Vosviewer and Excel software were used to collect and analyze data.
Results: A total of 296 articles from 724 authors have been published in Ergonomics journal during a 10-year period. The most articles published belonged to Hamadan, Shiraz, Tehran and Shahid Beheshti universities of medical sciences. The most effective authors in this journal were Rashid Heydari Moghadam (with 21 articles), Majid Motamedzadeh (with 20 articles), and Alireza Chubineh (with 15 articles). The most frequently used keywords were skeletal and muscular disorders with a frequency of 39, ergonomics 37 and anthropometrics 15.
Conclusion: According to the results, the number of citations of articles in this journal was at a low level. Therefore, it is suggested to increase the amount of international participation in order to index the journal in international citation databases and increase the citation rate of articles and the visibility of the journal.
Zahra Akbari-Chehrehbargh, Niloofar Navaei, Hamidreza Navaei,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (5-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Scientific evidence shows that artistic activities, such as playing music, can put individuals at risk for specific musculoskeletal injuries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and location of musculoskeletal injuries among Iranian music students and musicians, as well as to identify the related risk factors for their occurrence.
Methods: To find published studies without time limitations, a detailed search was conducted in databases including Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, the Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran using appropriate keywords. In this investigation, we only reviewed cross-sectional studies that were available to explore the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and their related risk factors among eligible music students and musicians from Iran. Review articles with less than five participants and articles written in languages other than English and Persian were excluded from the study.
Results: Out of 19 studies found, after removing duplicates and similar studies, 7 cross-sectional descriptive-analytical studies with a sample size of 1,444 eligible participants were reviewed. The prevalence of injuries ranged from 53% to 65%. The most common area of pain was the neck and shoulders, which were present in all types of instruments. Being female was a predisposing factor for musculoskeletal problems in musicians.
Conclusion: Iranian music students and musicians often suffer from musculoskeletal injuries. The most common areas of the body where these injuries occur are the neck and shoulders. There are multiple risk factors, such as age, improper posture, and duration of training, for musculoskeletal injuries in this population.
Hamed Yarmohammadi, Mehdi Jahangiri, Elham Arab Mokhtari,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: A significant indicators of progress and development is the publication of books within any scientific domain. Ergonomics, a critical field associated with human and occupational health, contributes to enhancing productivity and the health level of employees. The present study aims to investigate the state of production and publication of ergonomics books in Iran.
Methods: The current study employed a descriptive approach and content analysis with a bibliometric perspective. The research population encompaased all ergonomics books registered on the National Library website. To access relevant books, searches were conducted without temporal limitations using keywords such as ergonomics, human factors engineering, and other related terms. The collected data were then entered into a pre-designed form in Excel software and, in the final stage, were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: In total, 313 book titles in the field of ergonomics have been published between the years 1989 to 2023, indicating an increasing trend in the publication of books in this area. The highest frequency was for authored books, accounting for 78.27 percent of the publications. Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Majid Motamedzadeh, and Alireza Choobineh were the most active authors in this field. The subject areas of ergonomics principles and application, occupational ergonomics, and human factors engineering had the highest frequency. Fanavaran publications held the highest rank among all publishers. In total, 38 book titles reached multiple editions.
Conclusion: The results of the current study signify an upward trend in book publication within the field of ergonomics in Iran. However, there is a need for more attention from authors in some specializations of this science, including occupational biomechanics, urban ergonomics, ergonomics in domestic settings, and ergonomics for children. Additionally, there is a notable lack of focus on the publication of electronic books in this scientific field. Therefore, to give more consideration to the advantages of electronic books and consider their publication.
