Biomechanical Efficacy of an Arm Support and Ergonomic Posture in Reducing WRMSD Risks for Sonographers

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

T.J. Jurjens Mechanical Engineering

Contributors

W. Mugge Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (mentor)
A.H.A. Stienen Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (mentor)
S.J.P.M. van Engelen Leiden University Medical Center (mentor)
H.E.J. Veeger Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (graduation committee member)
R.W.C. Scherptong Biomechanical Engineering (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Mechanical Engineering
More Info
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Published Date

23-09-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are prevalent among sonographers, particularly affecting the shoulder region due to repetitive and static movements. This study introduced an ergonomic posture and a mobile arm support (MAS) to reduce the load of muscles contributing to the stabilization of the shoulder. The experimental setup replicated a conventional cardiac ultrasound examination, using a phantom model and simulations to mimic cardiac ultrasound procedures. Professional cardiac sonographers were instructed to acquire three cardiac views (parasternal long-axis view (PLAX), apical four-chamber view (A4C), and subcostal window(SCW)) while surface EMG and joint angles of the shoulder, elbow, and back were measured. Additionally, subjects were tasked with completing a questionnaire to gather subjective outcomes of usability and satisfaction with the support and ergonomic posture. Muscular activity of the middle deltoid muscular activity (PLAX; F(3,12)10.15,p=.001,η2 p=.717, A4C; F(3,12)=5.75,p=.011,η2 p=.590) and superior trapezius (PLAX; F(3,12)=7.05,p=.005,η2 p=.638) decreased significantly during examinations with postural changes but increased significantly while only support was provided. The support was considered slightly useful (SUS=65.0±6.9, α=.585), but the ergonomic change was considered poor (SUS=43.0.0±14.4, α=.813). The increase in muscular activity was likely caused by incorrect placement of the MAS on the upper extremity and incorrect levels of support. Besides, sonographers reported a MAS would be useful when there is an additional functionality that applies contact force through the MAS. The addition of support to postural changes did not significantly reduce muscular load compared to examinations with only postural changes. Therefore, ergonomic postural change is a sufficient solution for mitigating WRMSDs development due to the only significant decrease in muscular activity.