Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: One of the major problems in hospitals leading to high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the health staff is associated with patients handling. This study was aimed to reduce musculoskeletal disorders using ergonomic intervention among Nahavand Alimoradian hospital staff.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted in four wards of 160-bed Nahavand Alimoradian hospital. The data collecting tool was Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. SPSS software was used for data analysis. The questionnaire was completed, before and after educational intervention, for 46 employees of the four wards which had the most complaints about musculoskeletal disorders. Training classes were held for the target group covering prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, proper techniques for patient handling and stretching exercises for low back pain prevention.

Results: The main results tended to be the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders especially in low back, shoulders and wrists of the employees. Low back pain was the most prevalent disorder among the personnel. The educational intervention had not significant effect on lessening the musculoskeletal disorders in hospital staff (p > 0.05).

Background and Objectives: The use of new technologies, particularly mobile phones, is drastically growing on a daily basis. The usability of mobile phones can be determined for different age groups in order to reach a balanced development plan with respect to this technology. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the usability of touch-screen and button cell phones among Iranian elderly users, with respect to objective performance and perceived usability.  
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 20 elders (50% female) with an average age of  were selected by simple random sampling method to measure the usability of touch-screen and button cell phones. In order to assess the objective performance of how elders work with cell phones, tests were conducted including items like typing speed, number of typing errors, taking photo, creating new contacts, and sending text messages. Perceived usability was obtained using a questionnaire of cell phone usability. Furthermore, muscle pressure and mental work load during cell phone use were evaluated by Borg CR10 and NASA-TLX questionnaires, respectively. Data were analyzed conducting statistical analysis tests of T-test and Mann-Whitney by SPSS24 software.
Results: Results revealed that the average typing speed and typing errors in touch-screen cell phones are larger than that in button cell phones. Moreover, the average of perceived usability in touch-screen cell phones (5.8) is higher than that in button cell phones (4.3). Pearson correlation coefficient showed an inverse relationship (-0.3) between perceived usability and mental work load obtained in both types of the cell phones. Findings showed that the maximum perceived muscle pressure when working with a cell phone is felt in the neck area. 
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, touch-screen cellphones are suggested for those elders who type more and button cell phones are recommended for those who use the cell phone menu more frequently, namely taking photo, calling, internet, and so forth.
 

Background and Objectives: In recent years, due to the rapid growth of metropolitan cities and the shortage of urban public transport means, including urban bus transportation, many people are forced to travel in a standing position when using these vehicles. This situation may cause pain and discomfort and non-collision injuries for passengers. The purpose of this study was ergonomic assessment of the sit-standing seat in passengers standing on urban buses.
Methods: To do this study, 8 young people with a mean age of 25.25±2.12 years were enrolled. For evaluation and assessing the effect of sit-standing seat two methods of surface Electromyography (sEMG) and Borg scale scores were applied in Fall 2018. The data was analyzed using SPSS 24.
Results: In all body parts, except for the hip, the mean scoring of Borg’s scale for perceived discomfort in sit-standing position was less than standing position. Also, the amount of contractile activity of the leg muscles in sit-standing position was significantly lower than the standing position (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Considering the results obtained from the Borg scale scores and the contraction activity of the leg muscles as a result of the use of the mentioned seat, which led to a reduction in the level of discomfort and the leg muscles contraction, it is recommended to apply the sit-stand seat instead of being in a standing position.