Presentation
Video-Based Ergonomic Evaluation of Exosuit Use in Healthcare Task Simulation
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionNursing and caregiving professionals consistently face some of the most physically demanding tasks in healthcare, including lifting patients, carrying heavy equipment, and maintaining awkward postures during prolonged shifts. These occupational demands contribute significantly to the high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among nurses and are a major cause of injury-related work absences and burnout in the healthcare industry.
To address this issue, our research project investigates the use of a passive back-support exosuit, the Auxivo Omnisuit, as an assistive technology to reduce physical strain during simulated nursing tasks. Rather than relying on wearable sensors or expensive motion capture systems, our approach leverages video-based ergonomic analysis using Kinovea, a free and open-source motion analysis tool. This method allows researchers and institutions with limited resources to evaluate exosuit effectiveness in real-world or simulated settings without the need for specialized laboratory equipment.
We conducted a controlled study with six healthy adolescent participants, each performing three essential nursing-related tasks both with and without the exosuit: (1) overhead object lifting, (2) asymmetric suitcase carrying, and (3) patient transfer simulation using a 40lb medical dummy. Video footage was recorded and analyzed to measure joint angles at key moments of physical exertion. Tasks were designed to reflect realistic ergonomic stressors faced by nurses, and care was taken to ensure consistency across trials, including participant positioning, equipment weight, and motion direction.
The results indicated that wearing the exosuit led to small but consistent improvements in joint angle alignment, particularly at the shoulder and spine. In all three tasks, most participants demonstrated improved posture and decreased deviation from recommended ergonomic ranges while wearing the exosuit. These improvements suggest a potential reduction in musculoskeletal load and a decreased risk of injury when performing similar tasks in clinical practice. Moreover, the variation in participants' body types (e.g., height, weight, strength levels) highlighted the exosuit’s adaptability across users—an important consideration for deployment in diverse healthcare settings.
This study also underscores the value of accessible tools like Kinovea for ergonomic evaluation. While not as precise as sensor-based systems, Kinovea proved sufficient for analyzing large joint movements and mapping postural changes. It offers an entry point for clinics, training programs, and smaller research institutions to begin integrating ergonomic analysis into exosuit trials, quality improvement projects, or educational modules.
Our presentation will guide attendees through the full methodology, including task design, Kinovea analysis workflow, and a critical discussion of the results and limitations. We will also explore broader implications, such as how passive exosuits can be integrated into nursing practice, and how video-based methods can be scaled for larger studies or workplace interventions.
Key takeaway: This study demonstrates that video-based ergonomic assessment can be a low-cost, scalable method for evaluating exosuit effectiveness, and that passive exosuits may offer meaningful ergonomic benefits in nursing tasks, improving caregiver safety without disrupting workflow.
To address this issue, our research project investigates the use of a passive back-support exosuit, the Auxivo Omnisuit, as an assistive technology to reduce physical strain during simulated nursing tasks. Rather than relying on wearable sensors or expensive motion capture systems, our approach leverages video-based ergonomic analysis using Kinovea, a free and open-source motion analysis tool. This method allows researchers and institutions with limited resources to evaluate exosuit effectiveness in real-world or simulated settings without the need for specialized laboratory equipment.
We conducted a controlled study with six healthy adolescent participants, each performing three essential nursing-related tasks both with and without the exosuit: (1) overhead object lifting, (2) asymmetric suitcase carrying, and (3) patient transfer simulation using a 40lb medical dummy. Video footage was recorded and analyzed to measure joint angles at key moments of physical exertion. Tasks were designed to reflect realistic ergonomic stressors faced by nurses, and care was taken to ensure consistency across trials, including participant positioning, equipment weight, and motion direction.
The results indicated that wearing the exosuit led to small but consistent improvements in joint angle alignment, particularly at the shoulder and spine. In all three tasks, most participants demonstrated improved posture and decreased deviation from recommended ergonomic ranges while wearing the exosuit. These improvements suggest a potential reduction in musculoskeletal load and a decreased risk of injury when performing similar tasks in clinical practice. Moreover, the variation in participants' body types (e.g., height, weight, strength levels) highlighted the exosuit’s adaptability across users—an important consideration for deployment in diverse healthcare settings.
This study also underscores the value of accessible tools like Kinovea for ergonomic evaluation. While not as precise as sensor-based systems, Kinovea proved sufficient for analyzing large joint movements and mapping postural changes. It offers an entry point for clinics, training programs, and smaller research institutions to begin integrating ergonomic analysis into exosuit trials, quality improvement projects, or educational modules.
Our presentation will guide attendees through the full methodology, including task design, Kinovea analysis workflow, and a critical discussion of the results and limitations. We will also explore broader implications, such as how passive exosuits can be integrated into nursing practice, and how video-based methods can be scaled for larger studies or workplace interventions.
Key takeaway: This study demonstrates that video-based ergonomic assessment can be a low-cost, scalable method for evaluating exosuit effectiveness, and that passive exosuits may offer meaningful ergonomic benefits in nursing tasks, improving caregiver safety without disrupting workflow.
Event Type
Poster Presentation
TimeMonday, March 234:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
LocationRhinelander Gallery
Simulation and Education