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Kodithuwakku Arachchige SNK, Chander H, Shojaei A, Knight AC, Brown C, Freeman HR, Burch V RF, Chen CC. Effects of virtual heights, dual-tasking, and training on static postural stability. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2024; 114:104145. [PMID: 37837914 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Working at altitudes, dual-tasking (DT), and lack of experience cause falls. This study aimed to investigate the impact of virtual heights, DT, and training on static postural stability. Twenty-eight volunteers' balance at seven virtual environments [VE; ground (G), altitude 1 (A1), edge 1 (E1), altitude 2 (A2), edge 2 (E2), altitude 3 (A3), and edge 3 (E3)] were recorded during single-tasking (ST) and DT over three days. Independent variables were analyzed using a 7 (VE) x 3 (DAY) x 2 (TASK) factorial repeated measures ANOVA. Greater postural sway was observed in A3 and E1, on DAY 1, and during DT. The study demonstrated static postural stability deteriorates at higher virtual altitudes and during DT and improves with training. The findings of the study suggest that virtual reality is a great altitude simulator, which could be used as a potential balance training tool in ergonomic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachini N K Kodithuwakku Arachchige
- Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Weber State University, Dept 2805, 1435 Village Dr, Ogden, UT, 84408-5150, USA.
| | - Harish Chander
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, PO Box 6186 216, McCarthy Gym, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA; Human Factors & Athlete Engineering, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, 200 Research Blvd, Starkville, MS, 39759, USA.
| | - Alireza Shojaei
- Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Virginia Tech, 1345 Perry St, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Adam C Knight
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, PO Box 6186 216, McCarthy Gym, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Caitlyn Brown
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, PO Box 6186 216, McCarthy Gym, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Hannah R Freeman
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1716 9th Ave S, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
| | - Reuben F Burch V
- Human Factors & Athlete Engineering, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, 200 Research Blvd, Starkville, MS, 39759, USA; Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, 479-2 Hardy Road, 260McCain Hall, Box 9542, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Chih-Chia Chen
- Cognitive and Motor Control Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, PO Box 6186, 216 McCarthy Gym, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
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Kodithuwakku Arachchige SN, Chander H, Turner AJ, Shojaei A, Knight AC, Griffith A, Burch RF, Chen CC. Physiological and Subjective Measures of Anxiety with Repeated Exposure to Virtual Construction Sites at Different Heights. Saf Health Work 2023; 14:303-308. [PMID: 37818213 PMCID: PMC10562126 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Occupational workers at altitudes are more prone to falls, leading to catastrophic outcomes. Acrophobia, height-related anxiety, and affected executive functions lead to postural instabilities, causing falls. This study investigated the effects of repeated virtual height exposure and training on cognitive processing and height-related anxiety. Methods Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (age 20.48 ± 1.26 years; mass 69.52 ± 13.78 kg) were recruited and tested in seven virtual environments (VE) [ground (G), 2-story altitude (A1), 2-story edge (E1), 4-story altitude (A2), 4-story edge (E2), 6-story altitude (A3), and 6-story edge (E3)] over three days. At each VE, participants identified occupational hazards present in the VE and completed an Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ) and a modified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (mSTAIQ). The number of hazards identified and the ATHQ and mSTAIQ scores were analyzed using a 7 (VE; G, A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, E3) x 3 (DAY; DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3) factorial repeated measures analysis of variance. Results The participants identified the lowest number of hazards at A3 and E3 VEs and on DAY 1 compared to other VEs and DAYs. ATHQ scores were lowest at G, A1, and E1 VEs. Conclusion Cognitive processing is negatively affected by virtual altitudes, while it improves with short-term training. The features of virtual reality, such as higher involvement, engagement, and reliability, make it a better training tool to be considered in ergonomic settings. The findings of this study will provide insights into cognitive dual-tasking at altitude and its challenges, which will aid in minimizing occupational falls.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harish Chander
- Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
- Human Factors & Athlete Engineering, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
| | - Alana J. Turner
- Department of Kinesiology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC, USA
| | - Alireza Shojaei
- Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Adam C. Knight
- Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
| | - Aaron Griffith
- Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
| | - Reuben F. Burch
- Human Factors & Athlete Engineering, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
| | - Chih-Chia Chen
- Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
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Nix E, Altom K. Safety Concerns Associated with Home Care Nursing. Home Healthc Now 2023; 41:135-139. [PMID: 37144928 DOI: 10.1097/nhh.0000000000001161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Compared to nurses in acute care settings, home care nurses face unique threats to safety, including unsanitary conditions in homes, dangerous pets, firearms in the home, hostile patients or family members, high-crime neighborhoods, and motor vehicle accidents while traveling between patients. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore specific personal safety and environmental concerns faced by home care nurses. Seventy-five home care and home hospice nurses completed an anonymous Qualtrics survey. Seventy-eight percent admitted to feeling unsafe during a home visit. Safety threats included unsafe neighborhoods, aggressive dogs, aggressive or drug-seeking family members, patients with mental health concerns, sexual harassment, and most alarmingly feeling threatened by a firearm. Participants also identified environmental concerns such as secondhand smoke and bedbugs, and a high number of musculoskeletal injuries they perceived to be related to their work in home care. Home care is a rapidly growing industry with a critical need to attract and retain workers. Safety training specific to the workers' role should be offered at the time of hire and annually thereafter. Home care nurses should be aware of threats to safety and employ the strategies of preparation, awareness, alertness, and prevention before and during visits.
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Grønoset Grasmo S, Frostad Liaset I, Redzovic SE. Home health aides' experiences of their occupational health: a qualitative meta-synthesis. Home Health Care Serv Q 2021; 40:148-176. [PMID: 33949920 DOI: 10.1080/01621424.2021.1921650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Home health aides (HHA) have high sickness absence while the need for home care services is rapidly growing. The aim of this study was to derive new conceptual understandings by identifying, describing and interpreting key concepts across qualitative studies on how HHA experience their occupational health related to their working conditions.A qualitative ethnographic meta-synthesis was used as a method to analyze 27 articles included from systematic searches in CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO.HHA experience physical strenuous work task demands in combination with unfortunate organizational conditions in an uncontrolled and ever-changing psychosocial and physical working environment as the main obstacle to their occupational health, although many positive presence factors with opposite effects were reported.More research is needed to investigate whether physical demanding work tasks can have positive effects on HHA's occupational health by reorganizing their work while preserving patients' empowerment at their home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunniva Grønoset Grasmo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ingeborg Frostad Liaset
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Skender Elez Redzovic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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