Thai Journal of Ergonomics

A review of brain mapping performance-based neuroergonomic evaluation for Thais

Winai Chatthong — 2023-12-29

A novel test called "brain mapping performance" (BMP) was developed by psychosocial occupational therapists to encourage explicit learning throughout the lifetime. For those who have not been convinced of the benefits of emerging neuroergonomics, the evaluation of job readiness appears to be challenging. Each person's level of intrinsic brain capacity for leadership BMP can be explained by encouraging soft skills, culminating in eustress and empathy engagement. This article aims to provide how the BMP-based neuroergonomic evaluation is interpreted on social comprehension and enhancement of mirror neuron morality (MNM). This article contributes an integrative approach of MNM which has been further compared between the pre- and post- evaluation of the BMP-based neuroergonomics for improving the job readiness and leadership of those Thai people linked to a healthy workplace and well-explicit learning organization.

Hand dimensions and measurements

Jakkapong Inprom — 2023-12-29

The anthropometric hand dimensions must be taken into consideration while designing the hand-hold device in order to develop a user-friendly design. Anthropometric landmarks are frequently used to create standard hand measurements. However, it was discovered that while anthropometric markers vary throughout research, the terminology employed to describe a particular hand dimension was often similar. This made comparison and subsequent study impossible. As a result, the aim of this investigation was to gather information on hand size measurements made both in Thailand and internationally. The information can be used as a standard in reference to the landmark of hand size measurement. Research publications published between 1993 and 2022 in the PUBMED, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were examined. The results of the study found 45 articles with detailed measurement of dimensions and measurement equipment. The following major groups were investigated: 1) labor 2) adult, and 3) elderly. Each study's goal for determining the size was different, such as surveying the proportion of the hands of the sample group to be utilized as a database. Some were used for nationality comparison. It was also found that the hand measurements were used to estimate or analyze associations with gender, height, grip strength etc. Furthermore, the hand size and dimensions were studied to address the problem of hand when using various devices. Most studies were measured in accordance with the ISO 7250-1 standard (Basic human body measurements for technological design Part 1: Body measurement definitions and landmarks), which has 11 hand dimensions. However, there was a total of 86 dimensions discovered in all articles in this study. It is categorized into five primary groups: 1) 37 length measurements 2) 22 width and spread measurements 3) 13 depth measurements 4) 11 hand circumference and 5) 3 Grip diameter (inside), and the definitions and positions of each dimension's measurement were clearly defined in this article. The benefit of this was to serve as a standard reference for hand measurements for those who are interested.

Developing a web application to assess ergonomic risks among office staffs (ROSA) in a hospital in Chonburi province

Jarinee Maitree — 2023-12-29

This research aims to develop a web application to assess ergonomic risks for office staffs to use unaided, and also to evaluate the accuracy and usability of this web-based ergonomic tool. Comparison of the ROSA scores between occupational health professionals (observers) and office staffs, the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the final ROSA scores is 0.96. Considering each section separately, the ICC of Section A; chair score, Section B; monitor and telephone score, and Section C; mouse and keyboard score, are 0.96, 0.98, and 0.96, respectively, which suggest strong agreements between observers and intended users. User satisfaction scores for this application measured as System Usability Scale is 93.67 (SD 5.42), which is rated as excellent. The results indicate that this web-based ergonomic tool is precise and practical for office staffs to assess the risk independently.

Enhancing ergonomics awareness among Gen Z tablet users: A digital media approach to prevent musculoskeletal disorders

Suwalee Namwongsa — 2023-12-29

The widespread use of tablets among Gen Z has led to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to factors such as awkward postures, repetitive movements, and prolonged usage. Unfortunately, the existing knowledge on this topic lacks engaging and accessible publications. To address this gap, researchers have embarked on a study focused on creating digital media content applying ergonomic principles to prevent MSDs among tablet users. The purposes of this study were to 1) create the digital media 2) evaluate the efficiency 3) evaluate the satisfaction. The digital media was produced by the Animaker program using the ADDIE+P model. After that, evaluated the efficiency by the test on Quizizz program and comparing scores between before and after watching the digital media used Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Then, evaluated the satisfaction among tablet users by an assessment on Google form. Twenty participants were random by non-probability sampling and were a student in Allied Health Science Naresuan university. The result reported that 1) the digital media at 3.50 minutes length with learning attribute. 2) the digital media was effective by the difference of scores between before and after was significance at p < 0.001. And 3) tablet users were satisfied at 4.84±0.41 scores as the highest satisfaction level. In conclusion, the digital media creation was effective and satisfaction in Gen Z tablet users, so should be publishing in other social media platforms.

The prevalence and factors related to musculoskeletal disorders among computer users in a synthetics fiber factory

Nanthida Senaphan — 2023-12-29

This analytical research studied the prevalence of, and factors related to musculoskeletal disorders among 98 computer users in a synthetic fiber factory in Ayutthaya Province. The conditions and characteristics of the working environment, psychosocial, and musculoskeletal disorders were collected. The ergonomic risks were assessed by using the rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) method. The data were analyzed by using binary logistic regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder among computer users was 68.4% during 12 months previously. The most injuries were shoulder 68.7% and neck 62.7%, respectively. The factors related to musculoskeletal disorders were the work duration over than 4 hours per day (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 – 8.52, p-value = 0.046), the frequency of rest from computer (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.02 – 7.68, p-value = 0.046) and a high-risk ergonomics assessment level (AOR = 6.08, 95% CI: 2.21 – 16.67, p-value < 0.001). The results suggest that factory should arrange work schedule for computer users. The pattern of movement should allow them to take 10 to 15 minutes rest every 2 hours. The computer users should rest more than 4 times per day to prevent the muscle injuries due to long static posture.

Online health risk assessment program of musculoskeletal disorders in electronic industrial workers

Kasama Kongprasert — 2023-12-29

This study was aimed to develop the online program of health risk assessment of “Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders” or WMSDs among electronic industrial workers, substituting for usage of hard copy form. The program was continuously developed based on offline program of health risk matrix, performed in industrial workers. All variables associated with WMSDs were introduced into process at the first step of development. The software was established as capable to automatically calculating, analyzing, and reporting the health risk level of WMSDs after an ergonomic data set being inputted into online program by the user. In trial process, the reliability on using online program was analyzed and compared with hard copy form. There were 30 participants of electronic industrial workers had tested the online program running on smartphone. The results showed that the program was reliable, and provided accurate information (ICC = 1.00, 95% CI = 1.00). In addition, testers were satisfied with the use of program access, screen display, program potential, and program usage by the overall satisfaction at “very satisfied” level (Mean, S.D.: 4.23, 0.55, from a full score of 5 points). The results indicated that the developed program worked efficiently and eased of use. Therefore, this online program of WMSDs can be used for surveillance of health risks on musculoskeletal disorders of industrial employees, additionally, data from program are useful for planning to prevent WMSDs of workers and reduce the risk by further implementation management.

A study and tests for the age range at risk to Locomotive syndrome disease by two-step test using new indices

Chanpen Anurattananon — 2023-12-29

This research aimed to determine the subjects at risk of Locomotive Syndrome in each age range and suggest the guidance of physical activity by using the two-step gait test with a new index from a sample population of 408 subjects. The age range was divided into six categories: 21-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, and 71 years up, each age range consisted of 68 subjects, with 34 females and 34 males. A two-step test score was calculated and 95% confidence interval was determined for declaring the lower and upper bound. The prediction value from multiple linear regression equations was calculated to compare with the lower bound for indicating the risk of Locomotive Syndrome and compare with new indices (Two-step test score < 1.1 and Two-step test score < 1.3). Multiple Linear Regression equation with factors of gender, age range, and levels of exercise activity was analyzed. Binary Logistic Regression was analyzed for determining that gender and age range influence risk of Locomotive Syndrome. The result was found that the sample population in both genders had upper and lower bounds in the same direction, that was the older the age range, the lower the range of 95% confidence interval and the increased risk of Locomotive Syndrome in the older age range. In summary, considering the three factors of gender, age range, and level of exercise, it can be concluded that the subjects had a risk of Locomotive syndrome.

The immediate effects of biofeedback training with real-time weight distribution sensor in people with asymmetrical sitting weight-bearing

Chalearmpong Pinupong — 2023-12-29

The purpose of this study was to investigated the immediate effects of biofeedback training with real-time weight distribution sensor in subjects with asymmetric weight-bearing in sitting. Twenty-six participants with asymmetrical weight-bearing were divided into 2 groups. Before the test, the weight distribution on the left and right buttocks was recorded. The subjects of experiment group were then given biofeedback training with a real-time weight distribution sensor. Whereas, the control group were got to sit and watch the video. The test duration was 15 minutes. After the training, the weighting distributions were recorded. The ratio of weight distribution between the left and right buttocks was used to analyze the relationship before and after training in each group and the differences between groups. The results showed that the mean that ratio before training was 1.16 (SD=0.06) and after training was 1.09 (SD=0.09) and there was a statistically significant difference between before and after training at a significance level of p=0.049 in the experimental group. The results of this study showed that biofeedback training with a real-time weight distribution sensor can improve weight bearing in sitting more symmetrical.