Wearable Robotic Upper Body Exoskeleton for Workers

Mental Fatigue Clinical Trial

— Exo4Work  

Official title:

Ergonomic Evaluation of Workspaces and Occupational Tasks Targeted for Exoskeleton Support and Definition of Case Studies

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03491501
• Other study ID #: S000118N
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Start date: July 16, 2018
• Est. completion date: December 1, 2018

Study information

• Verified date: May 2018
• Source: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Contact: Sander De Bock, Master
• Phone: 0032 2 629 22 22
• Email: Sander.De.Bock[@]vub.be
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

The main aim of the project is to evaluate a novel upper body exoskeleton during simulated industrial work. In a first stage of the project, an extensive study involving the end-user companies will be carried out to clearly identify the operator target tasks and typical target task loads for which the exoskeleton will be designed. Based on standard ergonomic evaluation scales (RULA and NIOSH, the Need for Recovery Scale and the Ovako Working Posture Analysing System), high risk tasks will be identified in the field, based on the evaluated information about the workspace configuration, the performed operations and their physical constraints. These will include, but will not be limited to, non-ergonomic postures, for example performing operations above the head or reaching in front, to the side, or behind the body; flexing the arms for extended periods of time; and bending or twisting the torso to lift an object from low or distant locations. Important items to assess in this task are the frequency and duration of tasks and activities, lifting characteristics, perceived physical effort and work-induced fatigue.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 100
• Est. completion date: December 1, 2018
• Est. primary completion date: December 1, 2018
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria: Industrial employees

Exclusion Criteria:

• non-able bodied individuals

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Fatigue
• Mental Fatigue
• Physical Stress
• Work-Related Condition

Intervention

Other:
• Ergonomic evaluation using questionnaires
Employees will be provided with questionnaires such as the 'Rapid Entire Body Assessment' and NIOSH to obtain information regarding ergonomic working situations

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Belgium	Vrije Universiteit Brussel	Brussel	Vlaams Brabant

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Belgium, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Questionnaire	Ergonomic evaluation Industrial work situations	The time point of data collection: An average of 1yr