Affiliations: [a] Department of Ergonomics, Faculty of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [b] Ambient Intelligence Laboratory (AMI-Lab), Computer Science Department, Faculty of Science, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| [c] Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| [d] Neuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Naser Dehghan, Ambient Intelligence Laboratory (AMI-Lab), Computer Science Department, Faculty of Science, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. E-mail: naser.dehghan@usherbrooke.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Laparoscopic surgeons who regularly perform endoscopy are more likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders than other internal medicine specialists, a difference that attributed to repetitive movements, poor postures, and sub-optimal equipment design. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to design, build, and evaluate an endoscope holder for reducing the static load applied by the weight of the endoscope, in order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders risk factors in the surgeon’s hand, shoulder and back issues regions. METHODS:A new endoscope holder was designed according to ergonomic design principles. The designed holder was evaluated by surface electromyography (sEMG) and discomfort assessment including 15 laparoscopic surgeons. The results were analyzed with centrality statistics and compared with the independent t-test using SPSS version 22. RESULTS:The evaluation of the new endoscope holder shows a statistical significant decrease in the average electrical activity of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, lateral deltoid, T9 Thoracic erector spinae, L4 Lumbar erector spinae, and external oblique after using the holder (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:The results shows that using the new endoscope holder is associated with a lower level of discomfort, as well as a lower induced muscle activity. The results also highlight the need to upgrade the holder to offer rotability in all directions (perpendicular to the ground) which will be included in the next design.
