Exoskeletons as a potential intervention to support simulated perioperative staff tasks

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Occupational Health
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Perioperative staff face physically demanding tasks daily.
• Passive exoskeletons offer continuous wearable support.
• Exoskeletons may mitigate physical strain in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of shoulder-support exoskeletons (SSEs) and back-support exoskeletons (BSEs).
• To assess the reduction in physical exposure for perioperative tasks using exoskeletons.
• To compare muscle activity, energy expenditure, and exertion with and without exoskeleton use.

Main Methods:

• Simulated perioperative tasks were performed by community participants.
• Tasks included static holds (e.g., laparoscope holding) and dynamic actions (e.g., patient transfer).
• Measurements included peak muscle activation, metabolic energy expenditure, and self-reported exertion and discomfort.

Main Results:

• SSEs significantly reduced peak muscle activation in the right anterior deltoid during a one-handed asymmetric laparoscope hold (4.3%, p=0.01).
• A trend for reduced muscle activation was observed during a two-handed static hold with SSEs (5.9%, p=0.06).
• No significant differences were found for other tasks or self-reported metrics.

Conclusions:

• Shoulder-support exoskeletons effectively reduce shoulder muscle activity in specific static perioperative tasks.
• Exoskeletons show promise as an intervention to reduce physical exposure and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
• Passive exoskeletons may be a viable solution for supporting perioperative staff in various static tasks.