Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104642
Arafat Rahman , Sol Lim , Seokhyun Chung
Predicting external hand load from sensor data is essential for ergonomic exposure assessments, as obtaining this information typically requires direct observation or supplementary data. While machine learning can estimate hand load from posture or force data, we found systematic bias tied to biological sex, with predictive disparities worsening in imbalanced training datasets. To address this, we developed a fair predictive model using a Variational Autoencoder with feature disentanglement, which separates sex-agnostic from sex-specific motion features. This enables predictions based only on sex-agnostic patterns. Our proposed algorithm outperformed conventional machine learning models, including -Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest, achieving a mean absolute error of 3.42 and improving fairness metrics like statistical parity and positive and negative residual differences, even when trained on imbalanced sex datasets. These results underscore the importance of fairness-aware algorithms in avoiding health and safety disadvantages for specific worker groups in the workplace.
{"title":"Fairness in machine learning-based hand load estimation: A case study on load carriage tasks","authors":"Arafat Rahman , Sol Lim , Seokhyun Chung","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104642","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104642","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Predicting external hand load from sensor data is essential for ergonomic exposure assessments, as obtaining this information typically requires direct observation or supplementary data. While machine learning can estimate hand load from posture or force data, we found systematic bias tied to biological sex, with predictive disparities worsening in imbalanced training datasets. To address this, we developed a fair predictive model using a Variational Autoencoder with feature disentanglement, which separates sex-agnostic from sex-specific motion features. This enables predictions based only on sex-agnostic patterns. Our proposed algorithm outperformed conventional machine learning models, including <span><math><mi>k</mi></math></span>-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest, achieving a mean absolute error of 3.42 and improving fairness metrics like statistical parity and positive and negative residual differences, even when trained on imbalanced sex datasets. These results underscore the importance of fairness-aware algorithms in avoiding health and safety disadvantages for specific worker groups in the workplace.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104642"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104644
Jun Ma , Lizhuo Zang , Jiateng Li , Zaiyan Gong , Yue Fei , Jin Lu
As vehicles are expected to shift from manual to automated driving, the role of human drivers changes from active control to passive supervision. However, prolonged disengagement from the driving task may induce passive task-related (PTR) fatigue, which may negatively impact takeover performance. The present study sought to investigate whether video entertainment during prolonged automated driving can mitigate these risks. A driving simulation experiment was conducted with 32 participants who experienced varying durations of automated driving time (ADT) ranging from 15 to 60 min, both with and without video entertainment. Cognitive load, fatigue, and takeover performance were assessed using objective and subjective measures. Linear mixed effects models were employed to analyze the effects of video entertainment, ADT, and their interaction on the dependent variables. The results indicated that video entertainment not only increased cognitive load, but also effectively suppressed the growth of fatigue with longer ADT, as reflected by blink frequency and KSS scores. Furthermore, video entertainment reduced safety risks in prolonged automation scenarios by shortening takeover time and increasing the minimum time to collision. These findings suggest that video entertainment can improve comfort and takeover safety under prolonged automated driving scenarios by mitigating PTR fatigue.
{"title":"Video entertainment to mitigate safety risks during prolonged automated driving: Impacts on cognitive load, fatigue, and takeover performance","authors":"Jun Ma , Lizhuo Zang , Jiateng Li , Zaiyan Gong , Yue Fei , Jin Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104644","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104644","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As vehicles are expected to shift from manual to automated driving, the role of human drivers changes from active control to passive supervision. However, prolonged disengagement from the driving task may induce passive task-related (PTR) fatigue, which may negatively impact takeover performance. The present study sought to investigate whether video entertainment during prolonged automated driving can mitigate these risks. A driving simulation experiment was conducted with 32 participants who experienced varying durations of automated driving time (ADT) ranging from 15 to 60 min, both with and without video entertainment. Cognitive load, fatigue, and takeover performance were assessed using objective and subjective measures. Linear mixed effects models were employed to analyze the effects of video entertainment, ADT, and their interaction on the dependent variables. The results indicated that video entertainment not only increased cognitive load, but also effectively suppressed the growth of fatigue with longer ADT, as reflected by blink frequency and KSS scores. Furthermore, video entertainment reduced safety risks in prolonged automation scenarios by shortening takeover time and increasing the minimum time to collision. These findings suggest that video entertainment can improve comfort and takeover safety under prolonged automated driving scenarios by mitigating PTR fatigue.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104644"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145121212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-20DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104647
Hao Liu , Xiaoyi Wang , Calvin Or , Jia Pan , Ruixing Jia , Wenping Wang , Lei Yang
Camera control is crucial in telemanipulation, yet its effects on human operators remain underexplored. This study examined five camera viewpoint control models in a telemanipulated cube-stacking task involving 35 participants: (1) three fixed cameras; (2) two fixed cameras plus one dynamic camera with autonomous viewpoint control; (3) two fixed cameras plus one dynamic camera with manual viewpoint control; (4) a single dynamic camera with autonomous control; and (5) a single dynamic camera with manual control. We evaluated performance (cube-stacking success rate and completion time), cognitive load (eye-tracking measures of blink rate and pupillary activity, and perceived workload), visual attention (eye-tracking measures of fixation and saccade rates), and usability. Multiple-camera models improved task success but increased cognitive load (lower blink rates and higher pupillary activity) and saccade rates. Between multiple-camera models, autonomous-camera models showed lower saccade rates. Dynamic-camera models were rated more usable than fixed cameras. These findings reveal key trade-offs in camera control design and guide the creation of more efficient, operator-friendly telemanipulation systems.
{"title":"Operational performance, cognitive load, visual attention, and usability of fixed-, manual-, and autonomous-camera control in single- and multiple-camera telemanipulation systems","authors":"Hao Liu , Xiaoyi Wang , Calvin Or , Jia Pan , Ruixing Jia , Wenping Wang , Lei Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104647","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104647","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Camera control is crucial in telemanipulation, yet its effects on human operators remain underexplored. This study examined five camera viewpoint control models in a telemanipulated cube-stacking task involving 35 participants: (1) three fixed cameras; (2) two fixed cameras plus one dynamic camera with autonomous viewpoint control; (3) two fixed cameras plus one dynamic camera with manual viewpoint control; (4) a single dynamic camera with autonomous control; and (5) a single dynamic camera with manual control. We evaluated performance (cube-stacking success rate and completion time), cognitive load (eye-tracking measures of blink rate and pupillary activity, and perceived workload), visual attention (eye-tracking measures of fixation and saccade rates), and usability. Multiple-camera models improved task success but increased cognitive load (lower blink rates and higher pupillary activity) and saccade rates. Between multiple-camera models, autonomous-camera models showed lower saccade rates. Dynamic-camera models were rated more usable than fixed cameras. These findings reveal key trade-offs in camera control design and guide the creation of more efficient, operator-friendly telemanipulation systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104647"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-19DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104646
Elise Condie, Victoria Weale, Jodi Oakman
Objective
This scoping review summarises the amount and types of evidence available for workplace-based interventions that include the Stages of Change (SOC) framework in their design.
Methods
Seven electronic databases were searched for studies of workplace-based interventions that included SOC in their design. Studies were classified according to how SOC was incorporated into the intervention, the intervention target (individual or the organisation), which SOC measurement tools were used, and outcome measures.
Results
Thirty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. Four focused on organisational level ergonomics changes to work systems, the work environment, and/or work practices. The remaining three organisationally focused articles aimed to influence behaviours such as nutrition choices and smoking cessation, by modifying workplace factors such as the display of information and environmental changes.
The remaining 29 articles focused on modifying individual behaviours, primarily through the provision of information and/or coaching to participants. None of the included studies targeted managers or other workplace decision makers.
Conclusions
Four articles used SOC to implement ergonomics changes. Opportunities exist for further research evaluating how SOC could support organisational change, with particular regard to implementation of ergonomists’ advice and recommendations.
{"title":"Workplace based interventions which apply the stages of change framework to their design: A scoping review","authors":"Elise Condie, Victoria Weale, Jodi Oakman","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This scoping review summarises the amount and types of evidence available for workplace-based interventions that include the Stages of Change (SOC) framework in their design.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Seven electronic databases were searched for studies of workplace-based interventions that included SOC in their design. Studies were classified according to how SOC was incorporated into the intervention, the intervention target (individual or the organisation), which SOC measurement tools were used, and outcome measures.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. Four focused on organisational level ergonomics changes to work systems, the work environment, and/or work practices. The remaining three organisationally focused articles aimed to influence behaviours such as nutrition choices and smoking cessation, by modifying workplace factors such as the display of information and environmental changes.</div><div>The remaining 29 articles focused on modifying individual behaviours, primarily through the provision of information and/or coaching to participants. None of the included studies targeted managers or other workplace decision makers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Four articles used SOC to implement ergonomics changes. Opportunities exist for further research evaluating how SOC could support organisational change, with particular regard to implementation of ergonomists’ advice and recommendations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104646"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-18DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104637
Stephen J. McGuire, Sam D. Blacker, David M. Wilkinson, Stephen D. Myers
Aim
Characterise the physiological demands of a military dismounted assault task (DAT) simulation. Method: Fourteen men (mean ± SD: age 29 ± 9 years; body mass 79.9 ± 9.2 kg; O2peak 51.9 ± 4.4 ml·kg−1·min−1; upright pull strength 177 ± 20 kg) performed a DAT (external load 24.3 kg) of 16 × 6 m bounds in 20 s cycles (5 s work, 15 s rest) followed by an 18 m leopard crawl. Performance and physiological demands (heart rate and indirect calorimetry via the Douglas bag technique) during the first and last 48 m of bounds and the leopard crawl were compared using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Performance was maintained across the first and last 48 m (bound speed 5.7 ± 0.9 and 5.8 ± 0.8 km·h−1) despite substantial increases in oxygen consumption (first 48 m 25.4 ± 3.3 ml·kg−1·min−1; last 48 m 31.7 ± 3.5 ml·kg−1·min−1; leopard crawl 40.4 ± 6.4 ml·kg−1·min−1, p < 0.001, Ѡ2 = 0.64). Mean leopard crawl time was 26.1 ± 8.1 s at a speed of 2.7 ± 0.8 km·h−1 and post-exercise blood lactate was 3.8 ± 1.4 mmol·L−1. Increasing oxygen consumption with modest blood lactate responses suggests the demands of the DAT simulation are similar to intermittent high-intensity exercise and that aerobic fitness is an important determinant of performance.
{"title":"The physiological demands of a military dismounted assault task","authors":"Stephen J. McGuire, Sam D. Blacker, David M. Wilkinson, Stephen D. Myers","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Characterise the physiological demands of a military dismounted assault task (DAT) simulation. Method: Fourteen men (mean ± SD: age 29 ± 9 years; body mass 79.9 ± 9.2 kg; <span><math><mrow><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></mrow></math></span>O<sub>2peak</sub> 51.9 ± 4.4 ml·kg<sup>−1</sup>·min<sup>−1</sup>; upright pull strength 177 ± 20 kg) performed a DAT (external load 24.3 kg) of 16 × 6 m bounds in 20 s cycles (5 s work, 15 s rest) followed by an 18 m leopard crawl. Performance and physiological demands (heart rate and indirect calorimetry via the Douglas bag technique) during the first and last 48 m of bounds and the leopard crawl were compared using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Performance was maintained across the first and last 48 m (bound speed 5.7 ± 0.9 and 5.8 ± 0.8 km·h<sup>−1</sup>) despite substantial increases in oxygen consumption (first 48 m 25.4 ± 3.3 ml·kg<sup>−1</sup>·min<sup>−1</sup>; last 48 m 31.7 ± 3.5 ml·kg<sup>−1</sup>·min<sup>−1</sup>; leopard crawl 40.4 ± 6.4 ml·kg<sup>−1</sup>·min<sup>−1</sup>, p < 0.001, Ѡ2 = 0.64). Mean leopard crawl time was 26.1 ± 8.1 s at a speed of 2.7 ± 0.8 km·h<sup>−1</sup> and post-exercise blood lactate was 3.8 ± 1.4 mmol·L<sup>−1</sup>. Increasing oxygen consumption with modest blood lactate responses suggests the demands of the DAT simulation are similar to intermittent high-intensity exercise and that aerobic fitness is an important determinant of performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104637"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145093007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-18DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104645
Brooke R. Brisbine , Richard H. Molloy , Greg L. Carstairs , Celeste E. Coltman
Introduction
This study aimed to compare fit, musculoskeletal pain and interference issues experienced by male and female Australian soldiers when wearing body armour, as well as quantify the extent to which anthropometric characteristics contribute to these issues.
Methods
77 male and 12 female Australian soldiers completed a questionnaire about their perception of body armour, including questions about fit, musculoskeletal pain, interference with other equipment and mobility restrictions.
Results
Females experienced disproportionate challenges with body armour fit, particularly excessive length and width, leading to greater musculoskeletal pain, equipment interference and mobility restrictions. Males also reported issues with body armour being too long and limiting mobility during occupational tasks. Front length was the strongest predictor of body armour-related issues, affecting mobility, comfort and acceptability more than chest breadth or circumference.
Conclusion
Body armour size and design modifications, particularly to system length, are necessary to improve fit and occupational performance.
{"title":"Soldiers experience fit issues, musculoskeletal pain, and equipment and mobility interference with military body armour","authors":"Brooke R. Brisbine , Richard H. Molloy , Greg L. Carstairs , Celeste E. Coltman","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104645","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104645","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study aimed to compare fit, musculoskeletal pain and interference issues experienced by male and female Australian soldiers when wearing body armour, as well as quantify the extent to which anthropometric characteristics contribute to these issues.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>77 male and 12 female Australian soldiers completed a questionnaire about their perception of body armour, including questions about fit, musculoskeletal pain, interference with other equipment and mobility restrictions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Females experienced disproportionate challenges with body armour fit, particularly excessive length and width, leading to greater musculoskeletal pain, equipment interference and mobility restrictions. Males also reported issues with body armour being too long and limiting mobility during occupational tasks. Front length was the strongest predictor of body armour-related issues, affecting mobility, comfort and acceptability more than chest breadth or circumference.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Body armour size and design modifications, particularly to system length, are necessary to improve fit and occupational performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104645"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145093032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104625
Manuel Fleps , Max Hörandel , Melina Fischer , Janina Krell-Roesch , Pascal Senn , Klaus Boes , Claudia Hildebrand
The aim of this intervention study was to examine the effects of two different implementation approaches of a passive, upper-limb exoskeleton (MATE-XT®) on the acceptability of the exoskeleton by participants and participants’ health in a workplace health promotion setting.
Participants were assigned to one of two groups and underwent either an exoskeleton application training (AT, N = 9) or standardized briefing (SB, N = 9) over a period of 4 weeks. Outcomes of interest, i.e., acceptability of the exoskeleton and participants’ health, were assessed using the Technology Usage Inventory and the Short-Form 12 Health Survey before, immediately after, and approximately one year after the 4-week implementation period. Wearing time was tracked over the 4-week implementation period.
AT participants reported significantly higher usefulness and usability, greater curiosity, reduced skepticism, and had a higher wearing time in the last two weeks of the implementation. In addition, they perceived the exoskeleton as more useful, and reported higher physical health outcomes than SB participants. At one-year-follow-up, AT participants continued to perceive the exoskeleton as more valuable.
本干预研究的目的是检查在工作场所健康促进环境中，被动式上肢外骨骼（MATE-XT®）的两种不同实施方法对参与者外骨骼可接受性和参与者健康的影响。参与者被分配到两组中的一组，在4周的时间内接受外骨骼应用训练（AT, N = 9）或标准化简报（SB, N = 9）。在为期四周的实施期之前、之后和大约一年后，使用技术使用清单和简短的12健康调查来评估感兴趣的结果，即外骨骼的可接受性和参与者的健康。在为期四周的实施期内，追踪佩戴时间。AT参与者报告了显著更高的有用性和可用性，更大的好奇心，更少的怀疑，并且在实施的最后两周有更高的佩戴时间。此外，他们认为外骨骼更有用，并报告了比SB参与者更高的身体健康结果。在一年的随访中，At参与者仍然认为外骨骼更有价值。
{"title":"Effects of different implementation approaches on the acceptability of a passive exoskeleton for workplace health promotion: An intervention study using the MATE-XT®","authors":"Manuel Fleps , Max Hörandel , Melina Fischer , Janina Krell-Roesch , Pascal Senn , Klaus Boes , Claudia Hildebrand","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this intervention study was to examine the effects of two different implementation approaches of a passive, upper-limb exoskeleton (MATE-XT®) on the acceptability of the exoskeleton by participants and participants’ health in a workplace health promotion setting.</div><div>Participants were assigned to one of two groups and underwent either an exoskeleton application training (AT, N = 9) or standardized briefing (SB, N = 9) over a period of 4 weeks. Outcomes of interest, i.e., acceptability of the exoskeleton and participants’ health, were assessed using the Technology Usage Inventory and the Short-Form 12 Health Survey before, immediately after, and approximately one year after the 4-week implementation period. Wearing time was tracked over the 4-week implementation period.</div><div>AT participants reported significantly higher usefulness and usability, greater curiosity, reduced skepticism, and had a higher wearing time in the last two weeks of the implementation. In addition, they perceived the exoskeleton as more useful, and reported higher physical health outcomes than SB participants. At one-year-follow-up, AT participants continued to perceive the exoskeleton as more valuable.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104625"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145088221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-13DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104641
Nicola Green , David Tappin , Tim Bentley
Good health is vital for sustainable social and economic development and improving access to healthcare can help progress this goal. Telehealth is a digital technology that can strengthen health systems. One example is healthcare consultations using videoconferencing (VC) to connect patients and providers. Despite stakeholder benefits, there are challenges in integrating VC into routine practice which has led to failed VC services. This study, guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 2.0 framework, investigated the impact of VC on healthcare work systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Interviews with experts, healthcare providers and patients (n = 40) and observations at three healthcare sites showed that using VC has cross-level system impacts, including new ways of working, change, human connection and equity. The findings suggest human-centred design and consideration of system interactions could support sustained VC healthcare, with implications for future technology adoption and opportunities for ergonomics and human factors in system analysis and design.
{"title":"The impact of telehealth videoconferencing on the healthcare work system: designing for sustained practice","authors":"Nicola Green , David Tappin , Tim Bentley","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104641","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104641","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Good health is vital for sustainable social and economic development and improving access to healthcare can help progress this goal. Telehealth is a digital technology that can strengthen health systems. One example is healthcare consultations using videoconferencing (VC) to connect patients and providers. Despite stakeholder benefits, there are challenges in integrating VC into routine practice which has led to failed VC services. This study, guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 2.0 framework, investigated the impact of VC on healthcare work systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Interviews with experts, healthcare providers and patients (n = 40) and observations at three healthcare sites showed that using VC has cross-level system impacts, including new ways of working, change, human connection and equity. The findings suggest human-centred design and consideration of system interactions could support sustained VC healthcare, with implications for future technology adoption and opportunities for ergonomics and human factors in system analysis and design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104641"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104638
Kati Karhula , Rahman Shiri , Jenni Ervasti , Aki Koskinen , Annina Ropponen , Mikael Sallinen , Jarno Turunen , Mikko Härmä
We investigated the effects of a shift schedule evaluation tool with ergonomics recommendations on employee wellbeing. The study sample was from the Finnish Public Sector study (n = 7002 employees). The shift planners' use of the shift schedule evaluation tool was linked to employees' self-reported wellbeing outcomes. Inverse probability weights, reflecting the likelihood of the evaluation tool's use by the shift planner, were calculated using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression for each participant and logistic regression for each ward. Wards using the tool (intervention group) were compared to those not using it (control group) with a generalized linear model. No association was found between the tool's use and wellbeing at the ward level. In the individual level, lower psychological distress was found in the intervention group (Risk ratio 0.92, 95 % Confidence interval 0.85−0.99). More rigorous use of the tool may be necessary to achieve significant benefits for wellbeing.
{"title":"Effects of the use of a shift schedule evaluation tool with ergonomic recommendations on employee wellbeing - a quasi-experiment in the Finnish healthcare sector","authors":"Kati Karhula , Rahman Shiri , Jenni Ervasti , Aki Koskinen , Annina Ropponen , Mikael Sallinen , Jarno Turunen , Mikko Härmä","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigated the effects of a shift schedule evaluation tool with ergonomics recommendations on employee wellbeing. The study sample was from the Finnish Public Sector study (n = 7002 employees). The shift planners' use of the shift schedule evaluation tool was linked to employees' self-reported wellbeing outcomes. Inverse probability weights, reflecting the likelihood of the evaluation tool's use by the shift planner, were calculated using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression for each participant and logistic regression for each ward. Wards using the tool (intervention group) were compared to those not using it (control group) with a generalized linear model. No association was found between the tool's use and wellbeing at the ward level. In the individual level, lower psychological distress was found in the intervention group (Risk ratio 0.92, 95 % Confidence interval 0.85−0.99). More rigorous use of the tool may be necessary to achieve significant benefits for wellbeing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104638"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-10DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104639
Evan D. Feigel , Ayden McCarthy , Joel T. Fuller , Lily Rosenblum , Mita Lovalekar , Tommi Ojanen , Kai Pihlainen , Brian J. Martin , Kristen J. Koltun , Tim L.A. Doyle , Bradley C. Nindl
This investigation assessed the effect of gradient and duration on the gait variability exponent, DFA-α, in military personnel affixed with dual inertial measurement units performing a load carriage time-trial. Gait data (N = 14) were partitioned into 256 stride time segments by gradient (uphill, downhill) using a gait event algorithm. Detrended fluctuation analysis calculated DFA-α per segment, which was averaged across one-third durations (phases 1–3) per gradient. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA examined effects of gradient, duration, and interaction on DFA-α, with Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons. There was a significant main effect of duration (phase 1: 0.593 ± 0.021; phase 2: 0.563 ± 0.031; phase 3: 0.493 ± 0.021; F = 3.833, p = 0.035, ηp2 = 0.228), but not gradient (uphill: 0.486 ± 0.031; downhill: 0.614 ± 0.035; F = 4.252, p = 0.060, ηp2 = 0.246), or interaction (F = 0.019, p = 0.981, ηp2 = 0.001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significantly lower DFA-α during phase 3 than phase 1 (p = 0.016). Elapsed duration and uphill gradient, despite a large, but non-significant effect, may represent factors altering gait variability for injury risk.
本研究评估了坡度和持续时间对佩戴双惯性测量装置进行负重计时试验的军人步态变异性指数DFA-α的影响。采用步态事件算法将步态数据（N = 14）按梯度（上坡、下坡）划分为256个步幅时间段。去趋势波动分析计算每个段的DFA-α，每个梯度在三分之一持续时间（阶段1-3）内平均。双向重复测量方差分析检查梯度、持续时间和相互作用对DFA-α的影响，并采用bonferroni调整后的事后比较。持续时间（第一阶段：0.593±0.021；第二阶段：0.563±0.031；第三阶段：0.493±0.021;F = 3.833, p = 0.035, ηp2 = 0.228）是主要影响因素，而坡度（上坡：0.486±0.031；下坡：0.614±0.035;F = 4.252, p = 0.060, ηp2 = 0.246）和相互作用（F = 0.019, p = 0.981, ηp2 = 0.001）则不是主要影响因素。两两比较显示，第3期DFA-α显著低于第1期（p = 0.016）。持续时间和上坡坡度，尽管有很大但不显著的影响，可能代表了改变步态变异性的伤害风险因素。
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