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The Effects of Upper-Body Exoskeletons on Human Metabolic Cost and Thermal Response during Work Tasks—A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Simona Del Ferraro

    (INAIL—Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene—Laboratory of Ergonomics and Physiology, via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy)

  • Tiziana Falcone

    (INAIL—Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene—Laboratory of Ergonomics and Physiology, via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
    Unit of Advanced Robotics and Human-Centred Technologies, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy)

  • Alberto Ranavolo

    (INAIL—Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene—Laboratory of Ergonomics and Physiology, via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Molinaro

    (INAIL—Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene—Laboratory of Ergonomics and Physiology, via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Background: New wearable assistive devices (exoskeletons) have been developed for assisting people during work activity or rehabilitation. Although exoskeletons have been introduced into different occupational fields in an attempt to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the effectiveness of their use in workplaces still needs to be investigated. This systematic review focused on the effects of upper-body exoskeletons (UBEs) on human metabolic cost and thermophysiological response during upper-body work tasks. Methods: articles published until 22 September 2020 were selected from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for eligibility and the potential risk of bias was assessed. Results: Nine articles resulted in being eligible for the metabolic aspects, and none for the thermal analysis. All the studies were based on comparisons between conditions with and without exoskeletons and considered a total of 94 participants (mainly males) performing tasks involving the trunk or overhead work, 7 back-support exoskeletons, and 1 upper-limb support exoskeleton. Eight studies found a significant reduction in the mean values of the metabolic or cardiorespiratory parameters considered and one found no differences. Conclusions: The reduction found represents a preliminary finding that needs to be confirmed in a wider range of conditions, especially in workplaces, where work tasks show different characteristics and durations compared to those simulated in the laboratory. Future developments should investigate the dependence of metabolic cost on specific UBE design approaches during tasks involving the trunk and the possible statistical correlation between the metabolic cost and the surface ElectroMyoGraphy (sEMG) parameters. Finally, it could be interesting to investigate the effect of exoskeletons on the human thermophysiological response.

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Del Ferraro & Tiziana Falcone & Alberto Ranavolo & Vincenzo Molinaro, 2020. "The Effects of Upper-Body Exoskeletons on Human Metabolic Cost and Thermal Response during Work Tasks—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:20:p:7374-:d:425510
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Schmalz & Jasmin Schändlinger & Marvin Schuler & Jonas Bornmann & Benjamin Schirrmeister & Andreas Kannenberg & Michael Ernst, 2019. "Biomechanical and Metabolic Effectiveness of an Industrial Exoskeleton for Overhead Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Alberto Ranavolo & Francesco Draicchio & Tiwana Varrecchia & Alessio Silvetti & Sergio Iavicoli, 2018. "Wearable Monitoring Devices for Biomechanical Risk Assessment at Work: Current Status and Future Challenges—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura J. Elstub & Shimra J. Fine & Karl E. Zelik, 2021. "Exoskeletons and Exosuits Could Benefit from Mode-Switching Body Interfaces That Loosen/Tighten to Improve Thermal Comfort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Ci-Jyun Liang & Marvin H. Cheng, 2023. "Trends in Robotics Research in Occupational Safety and Health: A Scientometric Analysis and Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-21, May.

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