Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Comparison of the Pattern of Muscle Synergy during Load Lifting with Two Techniques among Women with Non-specific Back Pain in the Healthy Group

Mehrdad Anbarian

Objectives: The core muscles of individuals with low back pain show a different activity pattern than the healthy group during load lifting. This issue may be due to changes in spinal control mechanisms, such as muscle synergies. The present study aimed to compare the synergy pattern of selected core muscles and lower limb muscles during load lifting and lowering with two different techniques among females with non-specific back pain in comparison with the healthy group.
Methods: A total of 18 healthy females with non-specific back pain and 18 match controls participated in this study. The activity of 8 muscles of the core and lower limbs was recorded while lifting a load of 10% of the subject's mass with stoop and squat techniques. Then, the pattern of muscle synergies was extracted using the non-negative matrix factorization algorithm. Pearson's correlation method and independent t-test were used to compare synergy patterns (P<0.05).
Results: Patients with back pain had a different muscle synergy pattern than those in the healthy group in stoop and squat techniques. The peak muscle synergy patterns of patients in both techniques were different from those of healthy subjects and were created in a different time cycle of lifting the load.
Conclusion: This study indicated that individuals with non-specific back pain use different synergy patterns during load lifting, and the body's control system may respond differently in patients with non-specific low back pain compared to healthy individuals. The changes observed in the relative weight of muscles in patients and healthy people may be caused by the changes in muscle synergy patterns, which require further studies.

A Study on the Status of Unsafe Behaviors and Their Relationship with Road Accidents Among Inter-City Drivers in Urmia (Iran) in 2023

Teimour Allahyari

Objectives: Traffic accidents are considered among the leading causes of mortality and severe injuries. Driver behavior is a significant factor influencing this issue. The present study aimed to investigate the status of unsafe driving behaviors and their relationship with road accidents among inter-city drivers in Urmia, Iran, in 2023.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 378 inter-city drivers visiting the Occupational Medicine Center at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Sampling was performed using a convenience method. The Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) was employed as the standard instrument. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS (version 24) software at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The highest score for unsafe behaviors was related to non-routine violations, with a mean of 1.33±0.44. Significant positive correlations were found between all four DBQ subscales and road accidents (P<0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that routine violations and errors significantly predicted 24.3% of the variance in annual accidents.
Conclusion: The present work demonstrated significant associations between unsafe driving behaviors and traffic accidents, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce high-risk driving behaviors.

Predicting Factors Affecting Adverse Events among Nurses using Multidimensional Modeling

Shakiba Babakhani Farshkar

Objectives: Adverse events, defined as errors occurring during nursing care, have become one of the most serious threats to patient safety and quality of care in hospitals. The present study aimed to investigate the role of various factors influencing adverse events among nurses.
Methods: An analytical epidemiological study was conducted on 360 nurses working in public hospitals in Ahvaz. Data were collected using a personal information questionnaire, an environmental factors checklist, the standardized Patient Safety Culture questionnaire, the NEO Personality Inventory, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire assessing psychosocial work factors, and a standardized adverse events checklist. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS and SMART PLS software.
Results: The most frequently reported adverse events were complaints from patients or their families, while surgical wound infections were reported less frequently. Additionally, 31 nurses (8.6%) reported more than 20 adverse incidents in the past 12 months. The developed model indicated that environmental noise significantly affects both patient safety culture and adverse events, and psychosocial factors influence patient safety culture; however, patient safety culture alone did not significantly affect the occurrence of adverse events.
Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of adverse events among the studied nurses was high. Exposure to environmental noise and psychosocial factors substantially impacts patient safety culture. These findings can inform strategies to improve adverse event management and enhance patient safety culture.

Application of Participatory Ergonomics Principles as a Strategy for Sustainable Environmental Management

Ali Mohammadi

Objectives: Participatory ergonomics, with its focus on the active involvement of stakeholders in designing and improving work systems, can be proposed as a key strategy for sustainable environmental management. The present study aimed to explore the mechanisms of integrating ergonomic principles and employee participation to elucidate how environmental sustainability can be achieved in workplace settings.
Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted in the Iranian automotive industry. The participatory ergonomics program involved a 14-member expert team through weekly sessions consisting of two hours of theoretical training and one hour of practical application over three months. The primary objectives of the program encompassed comprehensive training on ergonomics checkpoints established by the International Labour Organization (ILO), integration of ergonomic principles with environmental sustainability considerations, and development of practical competencies to implement acquired knowledge in actual workplace environments.
Results: Following the completion of the participatory ergonomics program and a thorough assessment of workplace issues, the ergonomics team successfully developed fifty practical recommendations, 20% of which addressed environmental concerns. Through six months of sustained collaboration between workers and management support, ten of the proposed recommendations were implemented.
Conclusion: The application of participatory ergonomics principles, emphasizing stakeholder engagement in work system design, can serve as a pivotal strategy for sustainable environmental management. This approach not only enhances employees' physical and psychological well-being but also establishes an inseparable connection between technology, humans, and the environment by reducing occupational stress and natural resource consumption. Undoubtedly, interdisciplinary research in ergonomics and environmental sustainability can play a strategic role in achieving balanced development for future generations.

Ergonomic Risk Assessment and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Urban Train Operators in Mashhad, Iran: A Study Based on the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Method

Mohammad Javad Asadollahzadeh

Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common occupational health problems, particularly prevalent in driving-related professions. The present study aimed to assess body posture and the risk of developing MSDs among urban train operators in Mashhad, Iran, using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 140 train operators from the Mashhad Urban Railway in Iran were randomly selected. Demographic information and the prevalence of MSDs were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and postural assessment was performed using the REBA method. Statistical analysis was conducted using parametric (independent samples t-test) and non-parametric (chi-square) tests.
Results: According to the findings, 87.1% of participants reported musculoskeletal complaints in at least one body region. The most commonly affected areas were the neck (60%), lower back (57.1%), and upper back (33.6%). The results related to REBA indicated that 71.4% of operators were in the medium-risk category. There was a significant association between MSDs and body mass index (BMI), as well as years of work experience (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of MSDs and the medium level of postural risk among train operators, ergonomic interventions and training on proper working posture are strongly recommended to improve occupational health in this group.

Assessment of the Structural Suitability of Parks for the Elderly with an Emphasis on Ergonomic Considerations

Samaneh Pourhadi

Objectives: The use of parks is highly valuable for the elderly for various reasons, including physical, psychological, and social aspects. Therefore, the suitability of these spaces to the needs of the elderly is of particular importance. The present study aimed to determine and introduce criteria for the evaluation and classification of parks in terms of structural suitability for the elderly.
Methods: The present methodological study was designed in 2024 and conducted simultaneously with the psychometric and validation of the structural fit assessment tool for elderly-friendly parks. The structural components were identified through a literature review and validated using the Delphi method. After determining content validity, the items were classified into mandatory, essential, and ideal sections by obtaining at least two-thirds and one-third of the experts' votes, respectively. In addition, descriptive statistics were employed in data processing.
Results: The final review of 58 items by experts revealed that the majority of items (n=41, equivalent to 71%) were mandatory, 13 items (22%) were essential, and four items were ideal. The highest share of mandatory items was declared by ergonomists, and the lowest by gerontologists.
Conclusion: Structural components of park design suitable for the elderly are mandatory or essential in most cases studied, and only a few were identified as ideal. Therefore, the design of elderly-friendly parks requires attention to various aspects, including accessibility, safety, and comfort.

Examining Ergonomic Features in Military Rifle Design: A Scoping Review Study

Payam Khanlaribanyarani

Objectives: Firearms, including pistols and rifles, are complex tools with military, sporting, and personal applications that require attention to ergonomics to optimize their design and functionality. The present study aimed to review existing research on the ergonomic features of firearms, with a particular focus on assault rifles.
Methods: The present work employed a scoping review method to examine the ergonomics of firearms. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using keywords related to the ergonomic design of firearms. Relevant articles were selected from the collected studies, and data were extracted and reviewed by two authors, with results categorized based on common areas.
Results: A total of 3,121 studies were found through searches in databases, and after removing duplicates and reviewing titles and abstracts, 121 studies were downloaded and assessed based on inclusion criteria. Ultimately, nine studies were included in the final stage. The topics examined in the articles that impact the ergonomics of firearms included anthropometric considerations and human digital modeling, rifle configurations and design features, postural stability, safety, and training.
Conclusion: The ergonomic design of firearms significantly impacts user performance, safety, and overall experience. Future design efforts should emphasize human-centered approaches, taking into account anthropometric data, firearm configuration, user stability, and safety mechanisms for the production of firearms.

Factors Affecting Visual Comfort: A Systematic Review

Seyed Ehsan Samaei

Objectives: Today, visual comfort is considered a fundamental component of man-made environments. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to all factors affecting it. The present study was conducted as a systematic review to summarize the factors affecting visual comfort.
Methods: An electronic search was conducted in national and international databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, BMJ Learning, Springer, and ProQuest. Articles were searched using keywords, such as visual comfort, architectural features, space configuration, interior design, physical factors, and lighting.
Results: Among 135 articles, the full texts of 19 articles were finally reviewed. Questionnaires were used in 53.5% of studies, while device measurements were employed in 21.4%. Physical factors were found to have the most impact on visual comfort, accounting for 51.4% of the studies reviewed. Additionally, architectural factors, space configuration, and interior design accounted for 25.7% of the impact on visual comfort in the studies reviewed.
Conclusion: The improvement of visual comfort can be achieved by influencing factors like physical elements, architectural design, space configuration, and interior design, which can lead to reduced errors, improved performance, decreased injuries from falls, and an overall increase in quality of life.