Characterizing Exposure to Physical Risk Factors during Veterinary Surgery with Wearable Sensors: A Pilot Study.
IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors
; 10(3): 151-160, 2022.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36008924
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although musculoskeletal fatigue, pain, and injuries are commonly reported among surgeons in veterinary medicine, few studies have objectively characterized the exposure to physical risk factors among veterinary surgeons. Purpose: This study aimed to characterize muscle activation and postures of the neck and shoulders during live veterinary surgeries in the soft tissue and orthopedic specialties. Methods: Forty-four ergonomic exposure assessments (exposures) were collected during 26 surgical procedures across five surgeons. Exposures were collected from both soft tissue (n = 23) and orthopedic (n = 21) specialties. Physical risk factors were characterized by: (1) directly measuring muscle activation and posture of the neck and shoulders, using surface electromyography and inertial measurement units, respectively; and (2) collecting self-reported workload, pain, and stiffness. Results: Across the 44 exposures, neck and back symptoms respectively worsened after the surgery in 27% and 14% of the exposures. Veterinary surgeons exhibited neck postures involving a mean of 17° flexion during the surgical procedures. Static postures were common, occurring during 5380% of the procedures. Compared to soft tissue procedures (e.g., 13.2% MVC in the right trapezius), higher muscle activity was observed during orthopedic procedures (e.g., 27.6% MVC in the right trapezius). Conclusions: This pilot study showed that physical risk factors (i.e., muscle activity and posture of the neck/shoulder) can be measured using wearable sensors during live veterinary surgeries. The observed risk factors were similar to those documented for medical physicians. Further studies are needed to bring awareness to opportunities for improving workplace ergonomics in veterinary medicine and surgery.
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Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cirurgia Veterinária
/
Dispositivos Eletrônicos Vestíveis
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article