Wearable Robotic Upper Body Exoskeleton for Workers (Exo4Work)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Mental Fatigue; Work-Related Condition; Physical Stress

Treatments: Other: Ergonomic evaluation using questionnaires

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03491501

S000118N

Details and patient eligibility

About

The main aim of the project is to evaluate a novel upper body exoskeleton during simulated industrial work. In a first stage of the project, an extensive study involving the end-user companies will be carried out to clearly identify the operator target tasks and typical target task loads for which the exoskeleton will be designed. Based on standard ergonomic evaluation scales (RULA and NIOSH, the Need for Recovery Scale and the Ovako Working Posture Analysing System), high risk tasks will be identified in the field, based on the evaluated information about the workspace configuration, the performed operations and their physical constraints. These will include, but will not be limited to, non-ergonomic postures, for example performing operations above the head or reaching in front, to the side, or behind the body; flexing the arms for extended periods of time; and bending or twisting the torso to lift an object from low or distant locations. Important items to assess in this task are the frequency and duration of tasks and activities, lifting characteristics, perceived physical effort and work-induced fatigue.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Industrial employees

Exclusion Criteria:

• non-able bodied individuals

Trial design

100 participants in 1 patient group

Industrial employees

Description:

Ergonomic evaluation using questionnaires in different Industrial settings will be conducted and thus Industrial employees form the included subject group.

Treatment:

Other: Ergonomic evaluation using questionnaires