Assessments of Physical Workload in Sonography Tasks Using Inclinometry, Goniometry, and Electromyography
Simonsen, Jenny Gremark LU ; Dahlqvist, Camilla LU ; Enquist, Henrik LU ; Nordander, Catarina LU
; Axmon, Anna
LU
and Arvidsson, Inger
LU
(2018)
In Safety and Health at Work
9(3).
p.326-333
- Abstract
Background: Echocardiography involves strenuous postures of the upper limbs. This study explored the physical workload in the neck and upper limbs in sonographers performing echocardiography, and the extent to which the workload differs from than in other work tasks (other sonographic examinations, and nonsonographic tasks). Methods: The physical load was assessed by inclinometry, goniometry, and electromyography methods in 33 female sonographers during authentic work using three different echocardiography techniques and other work tasks. Results: Echocardiography was characterized by low velocities of the head, arms, and wrists, and a low proportion of muscular resting time in the forearms, in the transducer limb, and the computer... (More)
Background: Echocardiography involves strenuous postures of the upper limbs. This study explored the physical workload in the neck and upper limbs in sonographers performing echocardiography, and the extent to which the workload differs from than in other work tasks (other sonographic examinations, and nonsonographic tasks). Methods: The physical load was assessed by inclinometry, goniometry, and electromyography methods in 33 female sonographers during authentic work using three different echocardiography techniques and other work tasks. Results: Echocardiography was characterized by low velocities of the head, arms, and wrists, and a low proportion of muscular resting time in the forearms, in the transducer limb, and the computer limb. The transducer limb was more elevated in one of the techniques, but this technique also involved a higher proportion of muscular resting time of the trapezius muscle. We also found a high proportion of awkward wrist postures in the transducer wrist in all three techniques; in one due to prolonged flexion, and in the others due to prolonged extension. Other work tasks were less static, and were performed with higher upper arm and wrist velocities. Conclusion: None of the three echocardiography techniques was optimal concerning physical workload. Thus, to achieve more variation in physical load we recommend that the equipment be arranged so that the sonographer can alternate between two different techniques during the workday. We also propose alternation between echocardiography and nonsonographic tasks, in order to introduce variation in the physical workload. Clinical expertise should be used to achieve further improvements.
(Less)
- author
- Simonsen, Jenny Gremark
LU
; Dahlqvist, Camilla
LU
; Enquist, Henrik
LU
; Nordander, Catarina
LU
; Axmon, Anna
LU
and Arvidsson, Inger
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2018-09
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Echocardiography, Ergonomics, Technical measurements, Work postures
- in
- Safety and Health at Work
- volume
- 9
- issue
- 3
- pages
- 326 - 333
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85030540608
- pmid:30370165
- ISSN
- 2093-7911
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.shaw.2017.08.007
- project
- Sonographers and WMSD:s
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- b1d2a4b1-6d56-4a75-9562-e7013c1cbef9
- date added to LUP
- 2017-11-06 15:30:55
- date last changed
- 2024-03-31 20:00:45
@article{b1d2a4b1-6d56-4a75-9562-e7013c1cbef9,
abstract = {{<p>Background: Echocardiography involves strenuous postures of the upper limbs. This study explored the physical workload in the neck and upper limbs in sonographers performing echocardiography, and the extent to which the workload differs from than in other work tasks (other sonographic examinations, and nonsonographic tasks). Methods: The physical load was assessed by inclinometry, goniometry, and electromyography methods in 33 female sonographers during authentic work using three different echocardiography techniques and other work tasks. Results: Echocardiography was characterized by low velocities of the head, arms, and wrists, and a low proportion of muscular resting time in the forearms, in the transducer limb, and the computer limb. The transducer limb was more elevated in one of the techniques, but this technique also involved a higher proportion of muscular resting time of the trapezius muscle. We also found a high proportion of awkward wrist postures in the transducer wrist in all three techniques; in one due to prolonged flexion, and in the others due to prolonged extension. Other work tasks were less static, and were performed with higher upper arm and wrist velocities. Conclusion: None of the three echocardiography techniques was optimal concerning physical workload. Thus, to achieve more variation in physical load we recommend that the equipment be arranged so that the sonographer can alternate between two different techniques during the workday. We also propose alternation between echocardiography and nonsonographic tasks, in order to introduce variation in the physical workload. Clinical expertise should be used to achieve further improvements.</p>}},
author = {{Simonsen, Jenny Gremark and Dahlqvist, Camilla and Enquist, Henrik and Nordander, Catarina and Axmon, Anna and Arvidsson, Inger}},
issn = {{2093-7911}},
keywords = {{Echocardiography; Ergonomics; Technical measurements; Work postures}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{3}},
pages = {{326--333}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Safety and Health at Work}},
title = {{Assessments of Physical Workload in Sonography Tasks Using Inclinometry, Goniometry, and Electromyography}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.08.007}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.shaw.2017.08.007}},
volume = {{9}},
year = {{2018}},
}