Perceptions of advice for acute low back pain: a content analysis of qualitative data collected in a randomised experiment.

OBJECTIVES: To explore how people perceive three different forms of advice for acute low back pain (LBP). DESIGN: Content analysis of qualitative data collected in a three-arm randomised experiment. PARTICIPANTS: 2200 participants with acute LBP (ie, pain duration for ≤6 weeks) were randomly assigned to receive three types of advice: guideline advice and guideline advice with the addition of either brief pain science or ergonomics messages. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: After receiving the advice, participants answered two questions: 'If your health professional gave you this advice, how would it make you feel?' and 'If your health professional gave you this advice, what treatments (if any) do you think you would need?' Two researchers coded responses using deductive content analysis. RESULTS: We analysed 4400 free-text responses from 2200 participants. There were little to no differences in participants' feelings, thoughts and expectations after receiving three types of advice for acute LBP. Participants most commonly expressed feeling positive about the advice (38%-35%), reassured (23%-22%) and empowered (10%-8%). Some expressed being unhappy or being frustrated with the advice (4%-3%). Participants most commonly thought they needed no treatment apart from staying active, followed by exercise and medication. CONCLUSIONS: Guideline advice with or without the addition of brief pain science or ergonomics messages generated positive feelings, reassurance or a sense of empowerment in many people with acute LBP, with no difference between types of advice. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12623000364673.

It is the habit not the handle that affects tooth brushing - a randomised counterbalanced cross over study with young and healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the toothbrush handle on video-observed toothbrushing behaviour and toothbrushing effectiveness. METHODS: This is a randomized counterbalanced cross-over study. N = 50 university students and employees brushed their teeth at two occasions, one week apart, using either a commercial ergonomically designed manual toothbrush (MT) or Brushalyze V1 (BV1), a manual toothbrush with a thick cylindrical handle without any specific ergonomic features. Brushing behaviour was video-analysed. Plaque was assessed at the second occasion immediately after brushing. Participants also rated their self-perceived oral cleanliness and directly compared the two brushes regarding their handling and compared them to the brushed they used at home. RESULTS: The study participants found the BV1 significantly more cumbersome than the M1 or their brush at home. (p < 0.05). However, correlation analyses revealed a strong consistency of brushing behavior with the two brushes (0.71 < r < 0.91). Means differed only slightly (all d < 0.36). These differences became statistically significant only for the brushing time at inner surfaces (d = 0.31 p = 0.03) and horizontal movements at inner surfaces (d = 0.35, p = 0.02). Plaque levels at the gingival margins did not differ while slightly more plaque persisted at the more coronal aspects of the crown after brushing with BV1 (d = 0.592; p 0.042). DISCUSSION: The results of the study indicate that the brushing handle does not play a major role in brushing behavior or brushing effectiveness.

Health status and ergonomics education: A comparison between student nurses and first-year nursing staff.

AIMS: To (a) compare student nurses' health status and levels of ergonomics knowledge and awareness to those of first-year nursing staff and (b) investigate the association between nurses' ergonomic compliance and health status with their educational preparedness. DESIGN: This cohort study compared ergonomics awareness and knowledge, and health status of nurses when they were students and after their first-year working in medical facilities. METHODS: In total, 133 4th-year student nurses completed a survey; 45 of them completed a second survey after working 1 year in a medical facility. Their health status was compared over time using repeated-measures ANOVA. Correlation tests were used to analyse associations between ergonomics knowledge and awareness, health status, demographic variables and educational preparedness. RESULTS: Respondents in both surveys displayed weak knowledge of ergonomic principles significantly associated with increased pain intensity and educational preparedness. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION: Ergonomics training should be expanded during nursing studies and first-year training to prevent long-term health disorders.

Promoting safety of underground machinery operators through participatory ergonomics and fuzzy model analysis to foster sustainable mining practices.

One of the most vital parameters to achieve sustainability in any field is encompassing the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) of the workers. In mining industry where heavy earth moving machineries are largely employed, ergonomic hazards turn out to be significant OHS hazards causing Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in the operators. Nevertheless, the Indian mining industry lacks a comprehensive technique of OHS risk assessment, especially for ergonomic hazards that cause MSDs. This research appraises ergonomic hazards and develops Fuzzy Musculoskeletal-disorders Index (FMI) model to evaluate ergonomic-related MSDs. Work process and work tool ergonomic risk factors were identified through literature review and directives recommended by experts. Work posture was evaluated using RULA. The data-collecting approach was implemented using participatory ergonomic and design science principles. The FMI results show average MSDs score of 3.69, indicating high to extremely high risk. Surface plots show that combined work tool and work process was the most sensitive factors to MSDs risk compared to other two combinations. A two-sample t-test validated the FMI. The findings should help safety experts and managers develop effective OHS management plans and programmes for the sustainability of Indian mining industry.

Evaluating the categorisation of interventions in individual working practice aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders: An international experts consultation.

In a previous scoping review, eight categories of interventions in individual work practice were defined. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relevance and completeness of these eight categories and to increase the clarity of the nomenclature and definitions of each category. An international expert consultation has been carried out for this purpose. Thirty-eight experts from 13 countries participated. Data collection was conducted using a survey design comprising structured questions. Consensus was reached if 75% of the experts answered 'Strongly agree' or 'Agree' on a 5-point Likert scale. For the topic 'Relevance', there was consensus for six of the eight categories (range 78%-86%), the exceptions were the categories: 'Exercising' (72%) and 'Professional manners' (64%). With regard to the topic 'Nomenclature', consensus was reached for six categories and for the topic 'Definition' this was five categories. The present definitions have been improved based on the expert recommendations. With respect to the topic 'Completeness': although a limited number of suggestions were given, this did not lead to one or more categories being added to the existing eight categories. The final 'Nomenclature' for the categories is: 'Variation', 'Professional behaviour', 'Motoric skills', 'Vocational working techniques', 'Physical workplace', 'Physical training', 'Assistive devices and tools' and 'Task content and task organisation'. This expert consultation has provided a solid basis for endorsing the categorisation of interventions in IWP and is an important step in building a framework to develop and evaluate interventions in IWP.

Human Factors in AI-Driven Digital Solutions for Increasing Physical Activity: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance physical activity (PA) interventions. However, human factors (HFs) play a pivotal role in the successful integration of AI into mobile health (mHealth) solutions for promoting PA. Understanding and optimizing the interaction between individuals and AI-driven mHealth apps is essential for achieving the desired outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to review and describe the current evidence on the HFs in AI-driven digital solutions for increasing PA. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review by searching for publications containing terms related to PA, HFs, and AI in the titles and abstracts across 3 databases-PubMed, Embase, and IEEE Xplore-and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they were primary studies describing an AI-based solution aimed at increasing PA, and results from testing the solution were reported. Studies that did not meet these criteria were excluded. Additionally, we searched the references in the included articles for relevant research. The following data were extracted from included studies and incorporated into a qualitative synthesis: bibliographic information, study characteristics, population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and AI-related information. The certainty of the evidence in the included studies was evaluated using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). RESULTS: A total of 15 studies published between 2015 and 2023 involving 899 participants aged approximately between 19 and 84 years, 60.7% (546/899) of whom were female participants, were included in this review. The interventions lasted between 2 and 26 weeks in the included studies. Recommender systems were the most commonly used AI technology in digital solutions for PA (10/15 studies), followed by conversational agents (4/15 studies). User acceptability and satisfaction were the HFs most frequently evaluated (5/15 studies each), followed by usability (4/15 studies). Regarding automated data collection for personalization and recommendation, most systems involved fitness trackers (5/15 studies). The certainty of the evidence analysis indicates moderate certainty of the effectiveness of AI-driven digital technologies in increasing PA (eg, number of steps, distance walked, or time spent on PA). Furthermore, AI-driven technology, particularly recommender systems, seems to positively influence changes in PA behavior, although with very low certainty evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Current research highlights the potential of AI-driven technologies to enhance PA, though the evidence remains limited. Longer-term studies are necessary to assess the sustained impact of AI-driven technologies on behavior change and habit formation. While AI-driven digital solutions for PA hold significant promise, further exploration into optimizing AI's impact on PA and effectively integrating AI and HFs is crucial for broader benefits. Thus, the implications for innovation management involve conducting long-term studies, prioritizing diversity, ensuring research quality, focusing on user experience, and understanding the evolving role of AI in PA promotion.

Ergonomics appraisals in operating rooms.

This document presents the ergonomic assessments carried out by Spanish surgeons on the materials used within an operating room. With the objective of disseminating and raising awareness of the importance of ergonomics, this working group has compiled information from a previously conducted survey on musculoskeletal disorders associated with surgical work from the year 2022, obtaining feedback from 131 surgeons from 17 distinct specialties. A noteworthy 80.2 % of surveyed surgeons reported having experienced forced postures during surgery, and 96.9 % believe that their physical discomfort is a result of the posture adopted during operations. Such postures can result in the development of pathologies and may have a direct impact on work performance and even in extreme cases, it can lead to sick leave or early retirement. By providing their insights on electronic devices, surgical furniture, and instrumentation, surgeons can help identify areas for improvement in the practice of their profession.

How does the consecutive use of intraoral scanners affect musculoskeletal health? A preliminary clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Minimizing muscle strain and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with intraoral scanner (IOS) usage require ergonomic awareness, device selection, and workplace adjustments in dental practice. This preliminary clinical study aimed to simulate intraoral scanning tasks using wired and wireless IOSs and assess muscle activation and fatigue for both types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen participants performed intraoral scanning tasks using wired and wireless IOSs (i700; MEDIT), with weights of 280 g and 328 g, respectively. The same computer system and software conditions were maintained for both groups (N = 14 per IOS group). Electrodes were placed on arm, neck, and shoulder muscles, and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was measured. Surface electromyography (EMG) was performed during the simulation, and EMG values were normalized using MVC. The root mean square EMG (%MVC) and muscle fatigue (%) values were calculated. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests, with the Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Arm (flexor digitorum superficialis) and neck muscles (left sternocleidomastoid and left splenius capitis) showed significantly higher EMG values with wireless IOS (P < 0.05). The neck (left sternocleidomastoid and right levator scapulae) and shoulder muscles (right trapezius descendens) demonstrated significantly higher muscle fatigue with wireless IOS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The consecutive use of heavier wireless IOS may increase the risk of muscle activation and fatigue in certain muscles, which may have clinical implications for dentists in terms of ergonomics and musculoskeletal health.

A Rapid Review on the Effectiveness and Use of Wearable Biofeedback Motion Capture Systems in Ergonomics to Mitigate Adverse Postures and Movements of the Upper Body.

Work-related diseases and disorders remain a significant global health concern, necessitating multifaceted measures for mitigation. One potential measure is work technique training utilizing augmented feedback through wearable motion capture systems. However, there exists a research gap regarding its current effectiveness in both real work environments and controlled settings, as well as its ability to reduce postural exposure and retention effects over short, medium, and long durations. A rapid review was conducted, utilizing two databases and three previous literature reviews to identify relevant studies published within the last twenty years, including recent literature up to the end of 2023. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 14 were of high or moderate quality. These studies were summarized descriptively, and the strength of evidence was assessed. Among the included studies, six were rated as high quality, while eight were considered moderate quality. Notably, the reporting of participation rates, blinding of assessors, and a-priori power calculations were infrequently performed. Four studies were conducted in real work environments, while ten were conducted in controlled settings. Vibration feedback was the most common feedback type utilized (n = 9), followed by auditory (n = 7) and visual feedback (n = 1). All studies employed corrective feedback initiated by the system. In controlled environments, evidence regarding the effectiveness of augmented feedback from wearable motion capture systems to reduce postural exposure ranged from strong evidence to no evidence, depending on the time elapsed after feedback administration. Conversely, for studies conducted in real work environments, the evidence ranged from very limited evidence to no evidence. Future reach needs are identified and discussed.

A Novel IMU-Based System for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Assessment.

This study introduces a novel wearable Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-based system for an objective and comprehensive assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), thus enhancing workplace safety. The system integrates wearable technology with a user-friendly interface, providing magnetometer-free orientation estimation, joint angle measurements, and WMSDs risk evaluation. Tested in a cable manufacturing facility, the system was evaluated with ten female employees. The evaluation involved work cycle identification, inter-subject comparisons, and benchmarking against standard WMSD risk assessments like RULA, REBA, Strain Index, and Rodgers Muscle Fatigue Analysis. The evaluation demonstrated uniform joint patterns across participants (ICC=0.72±0.23) and revealed a higher occurrence of postures warranting further investigation, which is not easily detected by traditional methods such as RULA. The experimental results showed that the proposed system's risk assessments closely aligned with the established methods and enabled detailed and targeted risk assessments, pinpointing specific bodily areas for immediate ergonomic interventions. This approach not only enhances the detection of ergonomic risks but also supports the development of personalized intervention strategies, addressing common workplace issues such as tendinitis, low back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The outcomes highlight the system's sensitivity and specificity in identifying ergonomic hazards. Future efforts should focus on broader validation and exploring the relative influence of various WMSDs risk factors to refine risk assessment and intervention strategies for improved applicability in occupational health.

Work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers in Ghana: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Work-related back pain has a major impact on diagnostic radiographers' clinical task performance in terms of sickness absenteeism, disability and loss of productivity due to presenteeism. However, there is limited information about the burden of work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers in Ghana. The aim was to explore diagnostic radiographers' experiences of work-related back pain in Ghana. METHODS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews was conducted. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit participants. The interviews were facilitated by an interview guide. Thematic network approach was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Eighteen participants, with 14 males and 4 females were interviewed. The mean age of the participants was 31.7 ± 7.3 years. Three themes were developed: increasing burden of work-related back pain; making sense of the multifaceted risk factors for work-related back pain; and preventing work-related back pain. Low back pain was the most common, followed by neck pain with thoracic pain as the least common reported work-related back pain by participants. Identified risk factors included: physical factors; environmental ergonomic factors; and psychosocial factors. Prevention strategies identified were categorised into: health and safety training; creating lifting team; leadership support from diagnostic imaging managers; participatory ergonomics; workforce planning and scheduling; mindfulness exercises; and physical rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Assessing the level of ergonomic risks is critical to identifying, analysing and controlling workplace risk factors that can lead to work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers. Future research is recommended to design and evaluate a multicomponent ergonomic intervention for the prevention of work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers to enable them deliver care safely and healthily. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Understanding diagnostic radiographers experiences of work-related back pain can help develop effective strategies to reduce the growing burden of pain back.

A Case Study of Ergonomic Risk Assessment in Slovakia with Respect to EU Standard.

Attention on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) involves statistical surveys showing an increasing trend in the incidence of WMSDs. Technological development has led to new tools and methods for the assessment of physical load at work. These methods are mostly based on the direct sensing of appropriate parameters, which allows more precise quantification. The aim of this paper is to compare several commonly used methods in Slovakia for the assessment of ergonomic risk reflecting current EU and Slovak legislative regulations. A Captiv wireless sensory system was used at a car headlight quality control assembly workplace for sensing, data acquisition and data processing. During the evaluation of postures and movements at work, we discovered differences in the applicable standards: Decree 542/2007 Coll. (Slovak Legislation), the STN EN 1005-4+A1, and the French standards default in the Captiv system. Standards define the thresholds for hazardous postures with significant differences in several evaluated body segments, which affects the final evaluation of the measurements. Our experience from applying improved risk assessment methodology may have an impact on Slovak industrial workplaces. It was confirmed that there is a need to create uniform standards for the ergonomic risk assessment of body posture, including a detailed description of the threshold values for individual body segments.

Ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal pain in hospital cleaning workers: Convergent Care Research with mixed methods.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze exposure to ergonomic risks and the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in workers in the Hospital Cleaning Service. METHOD: Convergent Care Research, with data production designed using mixed methods, implemented with 149 hospital cleaning workers. The methodological strategy of the convergent parallel project was employed, using observation, photographic records, questionnaires and convergence groups. The results were integrated through joint display. Data analysis with descriptive and inferential statistics and content analysis. RESULTS: the mixing of data highlighted the multifactorial nature of exposure to ergonomic risks (uncomfortable work postures; repetitive movements; prolonged orthostatism; use of equipment not adapted to the psychophysiological needs of workers) and musculoskeletal pain in the population investigated. The latter was prevalent in the lumbar spine, ankles or feet, wrists or hands, thoracic spine and shoulders. The concept of ergonomic risk was expanded and was influenced by the psychosocial aspects of work. CONCLUSION: the workers investigated are exposed to modifiable multifactorial ergonomic risks related to musculoskeletal pain. It is possible to promote innovations and teaching-learning actions to minimize them, such as the continuing education program, collectively constructed with recommendations for improvements.

Ergonomic considerations for unique surgeon populations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Surgeons are rapidly diversifying as a population, introducing new ergonomic challenges. This review describes the challenges that are experienced by special populations of surgeons including small-handed surgeons, pregnant surgeons, and trainees, and evidence-based solutions to overcome them. RECENT FINDINGS: Small-handed and female surgeons report more musculoskeletal complaints compared with their male counterparts. Pregnant surgeons frequently report development or worsening of musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and low back pain. Trainees also report high rates of musculoskeletal complaints with minimal autonomy to alter their environment. Limited objective data exists regarding the ideal instruments currently available for special populations. Several small, randomized studies have proposed exercise regimens targeting the upper extremities and pregnancy-related pain syndromes with improvements in symptoms. Various methods of ergonomic education have been studied in trainees with improvements in operating room posture and performance. SUMMARY: Limited objective data is available to recommend specific surgical instruments for high-risk surgeon populations. Beneficial exercise regimens have been described for musculoskeletal disorders commonly plaguing surgeons but have yet to be studied explicitly in small-handed or pregnant surgeons and trainees.

Patient selection for nonoperating room anesthesia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Given the rapid growth of nonoperating room anesthesia (NORA) in recent years, it is essential to review its unique challenges as well as strategies for patient selection and care optimization. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent investigations have uncovered an increasing prevalence of older and higher ASA physical status patients in NORA settings. Although closed claim data regarding patient injury demonstrate a lower proportion of NORA cases resulting in a claim than traditional operating room cases, NORA cases have an increased risk of claim for death. Challenges within NORA include site-specific differences, limitations in ergonomic design, and increased stress among anesthesia providers. Several authors have thus proposed strategies focusing on standardizing processes, site-specific protocols, and ergonomic improvements to mitigate risks. SUMMARY: Considering the unique challenges of NORA settings, meticulous patient selection, risk stratification, and preoperative optimization are crucial. Embracing data-driven strategies and leveraging technological innovations (such as artificial intelligence) is imperative to refine quality control methods in targeted areas. Collaborative efforts led by anesthesia providers will ensure personalized, well tolerated, and improved patient outcomes across all phases of NORA care.

Enhancing safety in conditionally automated driving: Can more takeover request visual information make a difference in hazard scenarios with varied hazard visibility?

Autonomous driving technology has the potential to significantly reduce the number of traffic accidents. However, before achieving full automation, drivers still need to take control of the vehicle in complex and diverse scenarios that the autonomous driving system cannot handle. Therefore, appropriate takeover request (TOR) designs are necessary to enhance takeover performance and driving safety. This study focuses on takeover tasks in hazard scenarios with varied hazard visibility, which can be categorized as overt hazards and covert hazards. Through ergonomic experiments, the impact of TOR interface visual information, including takeover warning, hazard direction, and time to collision, on takeover performance is investigated, and specific analyses are conducted using eye-tracking data. The following conclusions are drawn from the experiments: (1) The visibility of hazards significantly affects takeover performance. (2) Providing more TOR visual information in hazards with different visibility has varying effects on drivers' visual attention allocation but can improve takeover performance. (3) More TOR visual information helps reduce takeover workload and increase human-machine trust. Based on these findings, this paper proposes the following TOR visual interface design strategies: (1) In overt hazard scenarios, only takeover warning is necessary, as additional visual information may distract drivers' attention. (2) In covert hazard scenarios, the TOR visual interface should better assist drivers in understanding the current hazard situation by providing information on hazard direction and time to collision to enhance takeover performance.

Occupational Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a scoping review of causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, and intervention strategies.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has traditionally been viewed as a specialized medical condition. However, its escalating prevalence among professionals across a multitude of industries has sparked substantial interest in recent years. This review aims to delve into CTS as an occupational disease, focusing on its epidemiological patterns, risk factors, symptoms, and management options, particularly emphasizing its relevance in professional environments. The complex interaction of anatomical, biomechanical, and pathophysiological factors that contribute to the development of CTS in different work settings underlines the critical role of ergonomic measures, prompt clinical identification, and tailored treatment plans in reducing its effects. Nevertheless, the challenges presented by existing research, including diverse methodologies and definitions, highlight the need for more unified protocols to thoroughly understand and tackle this issue. There's a pressing demand for more in-depth research into the epidemiology of CTS, its injury mechanisms, and the potential role of targeted medicine. Moreover, recognizing CTS's wider ramifications beyond personal health is essential. The economic burden associated with CTS-related healthcare costs, productivity losses, and compensation claims can significantly impact both businesses and the broader society. Therefore, initiatives aimed at preventing CTS through workplace interventions, education, and early intervention programs not only benefit the affected individuals but also contribute to the overall well-being of the workforce and economic productivity. By fostering a collaborative approach among healthcare professionals, employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, we can strive towards creating safer and healthier work environments while effectively managing the challenges posed by CTS in occupational settings.

Adapting to the human: A systematic review of a decade of human factors research on adaptive autonomy.

This systematic review provides an understanding of existing human factors research on adaptive autonomy, its design, its impacts, and its definition. We conducted a search on adaptive autonomy and additional relevant search terms in four databases, which produced an initial 245 articles. The application of inclusion and exclusion criteria produced a total of 60 articles for in-depth review. Through a collaborative coding process and analysis, we extracted triggers for and types of autonomy adaptations, as well as human factors dependent variables that have been studied in previous adaptive autonomy research. Based on this analysis, we present a definition of adaptive autonomy for use in human factors artificial intelligence research, as well as a comprehensive review of existing research contributions, notable research gaps, and the application of adaptive autonomy.

Safety and Optimizing Ergonomics for Cardiothoracic Surgeons.

Cardiothoracic surgery, demanding in nature, often results in surgeons suffering from musculoskeletal injuries, causing chronic pain and leading to premature retirement. A significant majority report experiencing pain, exacerbated by minimally invasive techniques such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Despite this, many surgeons delay seeking medical assistance. To mitigate these risks, preventative strategies such as strength exercises, stretching during operations, and taking brief breaks are crucial. However, the surgical community faces a shortage of institutional support and comprehensive ergonomic education. Advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality, could offer future solutions.

Comparative Study of Ergonomics in Conventional and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to implement a set of wearable technologies to record and analyze the surgeon's physiological and ergonomic parameters during the performance of conventional and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, comparing the ergonomics and stress levels of surgeons during surgical procedures. METHODS: This study was organized in two different settings: simulator tasks and experimental model surgical procedures. The participating surgeons performed the tasks and surgical procedures in both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery in a randomized fashion. Different wearable technologies were used to record the surgeons' posture, muscle activity, electrodermal activity and electrocardiography signal during the surgical practice. RESULTS: The simulator study involved six surgeons: three experienced (>100 laparoscopic procedures performed; 36.33 ± 13.65 years old) and three novices (<100 laparoscopic procedures; 29.33 ± 8.39 years old). Three surgeons of different surgical specialties with experience in laparoscopic surgery (>100 laparoscopic procedures performed; 37.00 ± 5.29 years old), but without experience in surgical robotics, participated in the experimental model study. The participating surgeons showed an increased level of stress during the robotic-assisted surgical procedures. Overall, improved surgeon posture was obtained during robotic-assisted surgery, with a reduction in localized muscle fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: A set of wearable technologies was implemented to measure and analyze surgeon physiological and ergonomic parameters. Robotic-assisted procedures showed better ergonomic outcomes for the surgeon compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery. Ergonomic analysis allows us to optimize surgeon performance and improve surgical training.