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@#Introduction: This study aimed at ergonomic assessment of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among microscopic surgeons , investigate the specification of ergonomic chairs and designing one for use during microscopic surgeries. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 27 micro surgeons out of 4 surgeons (ear, nose and throat), eye surgery, neurosurgery and plastic surgery in Khalili, Namazi, Shahid Chamran and Shahid Faghihi hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. The study was carried out in 4 steps. Objective evaluations included posture assessment by RULA and assessment of postural angles of the body (during performing microscopic surgeries) by Digimizer software. Subjective evaluation included the assessment of pain intensity and chair comfort using a visual analogue scale. next step was to determine the necessary anthropometric dimensions of the micro-surgeons. The fourth step was 3D modeling of the initial idea using Sketch Up 2017. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the final RULA scores of the surgeons’ postures were obtained 6.75 ± 0.5 and 6.5 ± 0.57 for the right and left sides of the body, respectively. Pain VAS scores after using normal chairs for microscopic surgeries were 5.32 (low-back pain), 4.42 (right shoulder/ arm pain) and 4.15 (left shoulder/ arm pain) which were their highest pain scores. The results of the assessment of postural angles by Digimizer software also showed a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders in the arm, forearm, wrist, neck, and trunk. Conclusion: In terms of ergonomics, the chair with the specifications listed may reduce physical fatigue and a potentially safer working environment for surgeons to create.
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Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, race, ethnicity and age, taking into account ergonomic and anthropometric principles. The aim of this study was to determine anthropometric characteristics of microscope users and provide a regression model for anthropometric dimensions
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric dimensions [18 dimensions] of the microscope users [N=174; 78 males and 96 females] in Shiraz were measured. Instruments included a Studio meter, 2 type calipers, adjustable seats, a 40-cm ruler, a tape measure, and scales. The study data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20
Results: The means of male and female microscope users' age were 31.64+/-8.86 and 35+/-10.9 years, respectively and their height were 161.03+/-6.87cm and 174.81+/-5.45cm, respectively. The results showed that sitting and standing eye height and sitting horizontal range of accessibility had a significant correlation with stature
Conclusion: The established anthropometric database can be used as a source for designing workstations for working with microscopes in this group of users. The regression analysis showed that three dimensions, i.e. standing eye height, sitting eye height, and horizontal range of accessibility sitting had a significant correlation with stature. Therefore, given one's stature, these dimensions can be obtained with less measurement
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Background: Fatigue can cause a significant effect on the mechanics of complex motor skills and reduce physical and mental efficiency. One of the common ways to reduce fatigue is passive recovering or using massage and cryotherapy after exercise. The present study aimed to compare the effects of massage and cryotherapy on muscles fatigue and isokinetic parameters
Methods: This study was conducted on 54 healthy athletes aged 20-30 years who were randomly divided into three groups: cooling [ice therapy], massage, and control [resting]. Each of the volunteers was evaluated in two sessions. The first session was to familiarize the participants with isokinetic contraction. The second session started with a brief warm up subsequently, using Biodex Isokinetic System Average Peak Torque [APTQ], Average Power [AP], and Total Work [TW] were measured. Then, the fatigue protocol was applied. Afterwards, interventions were performed for 15 minutes. After the intervention, isokinetic parameters were evaluated again. Also, perceived fatigue and Fatigue Index [FI] were recorded before and after the intervention
Results: APTQ, AP, and TW significantly increased in massage and cryotherapy groups after the intervention, while perceived fatigue and FI decreased significantly in both conditions [P<0.05]. In the control group, however, no significant differences were observed in APTQ, AP, and TW before and after the intervention [P>0.05], but perceived fatigue and FI decreased significantly [P<0.05]. Moreover, isokinetic variables [APTQ, AP, and TW] were higher in the massage group compared to cryotherapy and control groups [P<0.05], but such a difference was not observed between the massage and cryotherapy groups [P>0.05]
Conclusion: Massage and cryotherapy could increase isokinetic parameters and decrease FI and perceived fatigue. Therefore, massage and cryotherapy have been more effective than rest as a strategy to return to normal state and no significant difference was observed between these two groups
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This study aimed to design a new mouse and evaluate some of its functional parameters. The prototype of an ergonomic mouse was made according to design principles. The study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 in the Department of Ergonomics in Shiraz University of Medical Science. Functional parameters including Movement Time [MT] and error rate of the new mouse were evaluated by 10 participants based on ISO 9241-9 standard. The application of design principles in the new mouse resulted in improving MT and error rate so that they could be comparable to those of a standard mouse. MT, in both the standard and the new mouse was 0.846 and 0.864 s, respectively. Error rate of the standard and the new mouse was reported as 13% and 19%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two mice from these perspectives. Apparently, the studied functional parameters of the new mouse were similar to those of the standard one. The new mouse could be an appropriate substitution for the standard mouse without losing its positive characteristics
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Humans , Female , Male , Ergonomics , Equipment DesignABSTRACT
Ankle taping is frequently used in sports to prevent or treat patients with ankle sprain. It claims to help keeping the ankle and foot areas in correct biomechanical positions during activities. Despite its enormous use in sport, there is little evidence to objectively support this claim. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ankle taping on kinematics of the ankle joint during walking on level ground. 36 normal subjects [18 males and 18 females with mean age of 23 +/- 3 years and BMI of 23 +/- 2] and no history of ankle sprain were randomly tested in 3 walking conditions including no-taped, taped, and with a placebo taping. A Gibney close basket weave technique was used in this study and the subjects walked on level ground with their preferred speed. The 3-D ankle kinematic data were captured and analyzed with use of an advanced Qualysis motion analysis system [Qualysis, Sweden]. Finding of the current study revealed a significant decrease in ankle supination at initial contact and a significant decrease in maximum ankle plantar flexion and pronation during the stance phase [p=0.01]. Placebo taping resulted in data very similar to the no-taped condition of the ankle joint. The results of the current study showed that taping can be effective in controlling heel movements, foot supination and ankle plantar flexion angles. The current results showed that ankle taping might be helpful in prevention of ankle sprain