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Pacifico I, Aprigliano F, Parri A, Cannillo G, Melandri I, Sabatini AM, Violante FS, Molteni F, Giovacchini F, Vitiello N, Crea S. Evaluation of a spring-loaded upper-limb exoskeleton in cleaning activities. Appl Ergon 2023; 106:103877. [PMID: 36095895 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the past few years, companies have started considering the adoption of upper-limb occupational exoskeletons as a solution to reduce the health and cost issues associated with work-related shoulder overuse injuries. Most of the previous research studies have evaluated the efficacy of these devices in laboratories by measuring the reduction in muscle exertion resulting from device use in stereotyped tasks and controlled conditions. However, to date, uncertainties exist about generalizing laboratory results to more realistic conditions of use. The current study aims to investigate the in-field efficacy (through electromyography and perceived exertion), usability, and acceptance of a commercial spring-loaded upper-limb exoskeleton in cleaning job activities. The operators were required to maintain prolonged overhead postures while holding and moving a pole equipped with tools for window and ceiling cleaning. Compared to the normal working condition, the exoskeleton significantly reduced the total shoulder muscle activity (∼17%), the activity of the anterior deltoid (∼26%), medial deltoid (∼28%), and upper trapezius (∼24%). With the exoskeleton, the operators perceived reduced global effort (∼17%) as well as a reduced local effort in the shoulder (∼18%), arm (∼22%), upper back (∼14%), and lower back (∼16%). The beneficial effect of the exoskeleton and its suitability in cleaning settings are corroborated by the acceptance and usability scores assigned by operators, which averaged ∼5.5 out of 7 points. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to present an experience of exoskeleton use in cleaning contexts. The outcomes of this research invite further studies to test occupational exoskeletons in various realistic applications to foster scientific-grounded ergonomic evaluations and encourage the informed adoption of the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrea Parri
- IUVO S.r.l., Via Puglie 9, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giusi Cannillo
- Formula Servizi, Via Monteverdi, 31, 47122, Forlì, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Maria Sabatini
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Violante
- Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna.Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Molteni
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Via N. Sauro 17, 23845, Costa Masnaga, Lecco, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Vitiello
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy; Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 50143, Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Crea
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy; Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 50143, Florence, Italy.
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Pacifico I, Parri A, Taglione S, Sabatini AM, Violante FS, Molteni F, Giovacchini F, Vitiello N, Crea S. Exoskeletons for workers: A case series study in an enclosures production line. Appl Ergon 2022; 101:103679. [PMID: 35066399 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This case-series study aims to investigate the effects of a passive shoulder support exoskeleton on experienced workers during their regular work shifts in an enclosures production site. Experimental activities included three sessions, two of which were conducted in-field (namely, at two workstations of the painting line, where panels were mounted and dismounted from the line; each session involved three participants), and one session was carried out in a realistic simulated environment (namely, the workstations were recreated in a laboratory; this session involved four participants). The effect of the exoskeleton was evaluated through electromyographic activity and perceived effort. After in-field sessions, device usability and user acceptance were also assessed. Data were reported individually for each participant. Results showed that the use of the exoskeleton reduced the total shoulder muscular activity compared to normal working conditions, in all subjects and experimental sessions. Similarly, the use of the exoskeleton resulted in reductions of the perceived effort in the shoulder, arm, and lower back. Overall, participants indicated high usability and acceptance of the device. This case series invites larger validation studies, also in diverse operational contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Pacifico
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy; Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Andrea Parri
- IUVO S.r.l., via Puglie 9, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silverio Taglione
- ABB S.p.A. PG Breakers & Enclosures, Hub Italy, Electrification Business Area, Smart Power Division, Via Italia, 58, 23846, Garbagnate Monastero, Lecco, Italy
| | - Angelo Maria Sabatini
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Violante
- Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy; Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Molteni
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Via N. Sauro 17, 23845, Costa Masnaga, Lecco, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Vitiello
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy; Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 50143, Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Crea
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy; Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 50143, Florence, Italy.
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