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Effects of an arm-support exoskeleton on perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort: An 18-month field study in automotive assembly

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dc.contributor.authorKim, Sunwooken
dc.contributor.authorNussbaum, Maury A.en
dc.contributor.authorSmets, Martyen
dc.contributor.authorRanganathan, Shyamen
dc.date.accessioned2021-12-10T19:51:17Zen
dc.date.available2021-12-10T19:51:17Zen
dc.date.issued2021-08-06en
dc.date.updated2021-12-10T19:51:15Zen
dc.description.abstractBackground: Exoskeleton (EXO) technologies are a promising ergonomic intervention to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, with efficacy supported by laboratory- and field-based studies. However, there is a lack of field-based evidence on long-term effects of EXO use on physical demands. Methods: A longitudinal, controlled research design was used to examine the effects of arm-support exoskeleton (ASE) use on perceived physical demands during overhead work at nine automotive manufacturing facilities. Data were collected at five milestones (baseline and at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months) using questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to understand the effects of ASE use on perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD). Analyses were based on a total of 41 participants in the EXO group and 83 in a control group. Results: Across facilities, perceived work intensity and MSD scores did not differ significantly between the EXO and control groups. In some facilities, however, neck and shoulder MSD scores in the EXO group decreased over time. Wrist MSD scores in the EXO group in some facilities remained unchanged, while those scores increased in the control group over time. Upper arm and low back MSD scores were comparable between the experimental groups. Conclusion: Longitudinal effects of ASE use on perceived physical demands were not found, though some suggestive results were evident. This lack of consistent findings is discussed, particularly supporting the need for systematic and evidence-based ASE implementation approaches in the field that can guide the optimal selection of a job for ASE use.en
dc.description.versionAccepted versionen
dc.format.extentPages 905-914en
dc.format.extent10 page(s)en
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23282en
dc.identifier.eissn1097-0274en
dc.identifier.issn0271-3586en
dc.identifier.issue11en
dc.identifier.orcidNussbaum, Maury [0000-0002-1887-8431]en
dc.identifier.orcidRanganathan, Shyam [0000-0002-1337-5173]en
dc.identifier.orcidKim, Sun Wook [0000-0003-3624-1781]en
dc.identifier.pmid34363229en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/106928en
dc.identifier.volume64en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherWileyen
dc.relation.urihttp://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000682356400001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=930d57c9ac61a043676db62af60056c1en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectLife Sciences & Biomedicineen
dc.subjectPublic, Environmental & Occupational Healthen
dc.subjectergonomic interventionen
dc.subjectmanufacturingen
dc.subjectmusculoskeletal discomforten
dc.subjectperceived physical demanden
dc.subjectprospective studyen
dc.subjectMULTIPLE IMPUTATIONen
dc.subjectPASSIVE EXOSKELETONen
dc.subjectPHYSICAL DEMANDSen
dc.subjectDEVICEen
dc.subjectDISORDERSen
dc.subjectMODELen
dc.subject1117 Public Health and Health Servicesen
dc.subjectEnvironmental & Occupational Healthen
dc.titleEffects of an arm-support exoskeleton on perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort: An 18-month field study in automotive assemblyen
dc.title.serialAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicineen
dc.typeArticle - Refereeden
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
dc.type.otherArticleen
dc.type.otherJournalen
dcterms.dateAccepted2021-07-22en
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Techen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/Scienceen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/Science/Statisticsen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/Engineeringen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/Engineering/Industrial and Systems Engineeringen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/Faculty of Health Sciencesen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/All T&R Facultyen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/Engineering/COE T&R Facultyen
pubs.organisational-group/Virginia Tech/Science/COS T&R Facultyen

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