Augmented Reality Visualization in Musculoskeletal Interventions: User Feedback and Ergonomic Impact on Needle...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Radiology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Musculoskeletal interventional procedures often require complex image guidance.
• Ergonomic challenges and user comfort are critical factors in procedural efficiency and radiologist well-being.
• Augmented reality (AR) displays offer potential solutions for improving visualization and ergonomics in medical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical usability and ergonomic benefits of a head-mounted augmented reality (AR) display.
• To assess user satisfaction and comfort among interventional radiologists using AR in musculoskeletal procedures.
• To quantify the impact of AR on physical movements, specifically head turns, during image-guided needle placement.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review involving an electronic survey (n=9) with 5-point Likert scales and single-user motion analysis.
• Nine interventional radiologists provided feedback on AR usability across various procedures (drainage, biopsy, endovascular, ablation, cement augmentation).
• Kinematic data from 14 needle placement procedures (7 with AR, 7 without AR) were analyzed for head movements.

Main Results:

• User feedback indicated high comfort (median Likert score, 5) and ease of use (median Likert score, 4).
• 66% of users reported improved ergonomics, with a median Likert score of 5 for ergonomic impact.
• Motion analysis showed significantly fewer and smaller head turns when using AR (P = .003 for frequency, P = .0002 for magnitude).

Conclusions:

• Augmented reality displays demonstrate significant improvements in ergonomic efficiency and user satisfaction for musculoskeletal interventional procedures.
• The technology enhances comfort and reduces physical strain for interventional radiologists.
• Further refinement of AR image quality is recommended to facilitate broader clinical adoption.