Browsing by Author "Harris-Adamson, Carisa"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    A data-driven approach to understand factors contributing to exoskeleton use-intention in construction
    Kim, Sunwook; Moore, Albert; Ojelade, Aanuoluwapo; Gutierrez, Nancy; Harris-Adamson, Carisa; Barr, Alan; Srinivasan, Divya; Nussbaum, Maury A. (SAGE, 2023-10-25)
    Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) remain an important heath concern for construction workers. Occupational exoskeletons (EXOs) are a new ergonomic intervention to control WMSD risk, yet their adoption has been low in construction. We explored contributing factors to EXO use-intention, by building a decision tree to predict the intention to try an exoskeleton using responses to an online survey. Variable selection and hyperparameter tuning were used respectively to reduce the number of potential predictors, and for a better prediction performance. Performance was assessed using four common metrics. The importance of variables in the final tree was calculated to understand which variable had a greater influence. The final tree had moderate prediction performance. Important variables identified were associated with opinions on EXO use, demographics, job demands, and perceived potential risks. The key influential variables were EXOs becoming standard equipment and fatigue reduction with EXO use. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.
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    Effects of Back-support Exoskeletons on Task Performance and Perceived Exertion During Construction-related Tasks: Differences related to Experience
    Ojelade, Aanuoluwapo; Kim, Sunwook; Morris, Wallace; Harris-Adamson, Carisa; Barr, Alan; Nussbaum, Maury A. (SAGE, 2023-10-24)
    The effects of three Back-support Exoskeletons (BSEs) on task performance (completion time) and perceived exertion were examined during simulated construction tasks. Forty participants (20 novices) completed the tasks using no BSE and three BSEs, each with two support settings (On and Off). There were significant main and interaction effects of Experience level on both outcome measures. Using BSEs negatively affected task performance for some tasks, though these effects were smaller among experienced participants. Interestingly, using BSEs inconsistently affected perceived physical effort, possibly due to the characteristics of the tasks, BSE designs, and experience levels. These results indicate that the effects of BSE on task performance and perceived physical effort are specific to experience level, BSE designs, and task demands. Further study is needed to better understand how to generalize these results to the actual work population.
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    Effects of Back-support Exoskeletons on Task Performance and Usability During Simulated Construction-relevant Tasks
    Ojelade, Aanuoluwapo; Morris, Wallace; Kim, Sunwook; Harris-Adamson, Carisa; Barr, Alan; Nussbaum, Maury A. (SAGE, 2022-10-11)
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    Perceived benefits, barriers, perceptions, and readiness to use exoskeletons in the construction industry: Differences by demographic characteristics
    Gutierrez, Nancy; Ojelade, Aanuoluwapo; Kim, Sunwook; Barr, Alan; Akanmu, Abiola; Nussbaum, Maury A.; Harris-Adamson, Carisa (Elsevier, 2023-12-21)
    Exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising wearable intervention to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorder risks among construction workers. However, the adoption of EXOs may differ with demographic characteristics. Survey data (n = 361) were collected from construction industry stakeholders and a summation score method was used to summarize respondent's benefits and barriers to EXO use, along with perceptions and readiness to use. Responses were stratified by race (White vs. non-White), sex (male vs. female), and age (<47 years vs. ≥47 years). Both a higher Benefits score and a higher Perceptions score were significantly and positively associated with a higher Readiness to Use score. There were also significant differences in perceived barriers to EXO use by race and sex. These results demonstrate substantial interest in EXO use but also emphasize the need to ensure proportionate access to the potential benefits of EXO technology.
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    A preliminary decision tree modeling of factors that determine readiness to use exoskeletons in construction
    Moore, Albert; Kim, Sunwook; Srinivasan, Divya; Nussbaum, Maury A.; Ojelade, Aanuoluwapo; Harris-Adamson, Carisa; Gutierrez Contreras, Nancy; Barr, Alan; Rempel, David (SAGE, 2021-09)
  • Shoulder kinematics during cyclic overhead work are affected by a passive arm support exoskeleton
    Casu, Giulia; Barajas-Smith, Isaiah; Barr, Alan; Phillips, Brandon; Kim, Sunwook; Nussbaum, Maury A.; Rempel, David; Pau, Massimiliano; Harris-Adamson, Carisa (Elsevier, 2024-07-25)
    Purpose: We investigated the influence of passive arm-support exoskeleton (ASE) with different levels of torque (50, 75, and 100%) on upper arm osteokinematics. Methods: Twenty participants completed a cyclic overhead drilling task with and without ASE. Task duration, joint angles, and angular acceleration peaks were analyzed during ascent and descent phases of the dominant upper arm. Results: Maximum ASE torque was associated with decreased peak acceleration during ascent (32.2%; SD 17.8; p < 0.001) and descent phases (38.8%; SD 17.8; p < 0.001). Task duration remained consistent. Increased torque led to a more flexed (7.2°; SD 5.5; p > 0.001) and internally rotated arm posture (17.6°; SD 12.1; p < 0.001), with minimal changes in arm abduction. Conclusion: The small arm accelerations and changes in osteokinematics we observed, support the use of this ASE, even while performing overhead cyclic tasks with the highest level of support.
  • Understanding contributing factors to exoskeleton use-intention in construction: A decision tree approach using results from an online survey
    Kim, Sunwook; Ojelade, Aanuoluwapo; Moore, Albert; Gutierrez, Nancy; Harris-Adamson, Carisa; Barr, Alan; Srinivasan, Divya; Rempel, David M.; Nussbaum, Maury A. (Informa, 2023-12-12)
    Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major health concern in the construction industry. Occupational exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising ergonomic intervention to help reduce WMSD risk. Their adoption, however, has been low in construction. To understand the contributing factors to EXO use-intention and assist in future decision-making, we built decision trees to predict responses to each of three EXO use-intention questions (Try, Voluntary Use, and Behavioral Intention), using online survey responses. Variable selection and hyperparameter tuning were used respectively to reduce the number of potential predictors and improve prediction performance. The importance of variables in each final tree was calculated to understand which variables had a greater influence. The final trees had moderate prediction performance. The root node of each tree included EXOs becoming standard equipment, fatigue reduction, or performance increase. Important variables were found to be quite specific to different decision trees. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.