Effects of a passive upper extremity exoskeleton for overhead tasks

Peng Yin; Liang Yang; Shengguan Qu; Chao Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102478

Effects of a passive upper extremity exoskeleton for overhead tasks

J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2020 Dec:55:102478. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102478. Epub 2020 Oct 6.

Authors

Peng Yin¹, Liang Yang², Shengguan Qu³, Chao Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
² School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Intelligent Technology R&D Center, Guangzhou Hyetone Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Electronic address: leonyounggod@msn.com.
³ School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China. Electronic address: qusg@scut.edu.cn.
⁴ Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management, Louisiana State University, 3315D Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; Industrial Assessment Center, Louisiana State University, 3131 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. Electronic address: chaowang@lsu.edu.

PMID: 33075712
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102478

Abstract

Overhead work is a major cause of upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). In this paper, the potential effects of a Passive Upper-Limb Exoskeleton (PULE) were evaluated in the tasks of overhead works. This proposed PULE has a higher degree of freedom and does not impede the user's upper limb movements. Fifteen male volunteers participated in the study by performing the repeated overhead bolt installation tasks. The electromyographic (EMG) values of anterior deltoid (AD), mid deltoid (MD), descending trapezius (TR), and triceps (TB) of the left and right arms of the participants were measured at three different overhead task heights with Intervention (with/without the PULE). Moreover, the rankings of perceived discomfort (RPD) obtained on the neck, shoulders, upper arms, forearms, upper back, waists, and legs were rated for each participant. The preliminary experiment results show that the initial nEMG of right anterior deltoid (AD) decreased by 38.5%, median nEMG values decreased by 45.1%, and total RPD decreased by 52.4%. The use of the PULE could bring the benefits of less upper extremity muscle contraction and lower RPD compared to the non-use, which may potentially reduce or slow down the level of upper extremity WMSD across the overhead work.

Keywords: Assist device; Electromyography; Muscle fatigue; Overhead tasks; Upper extremity.

MeSH terms

Adult
Electromyography / methods*
Exoskeleton Device* / standards
Humans
Male
Movement / physiology*
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
Upper Extremity / physiology*