4.1 Review

Effects of Upper-Limb Exoskeletons Designed for Use in the Working Environment-A Literature Review

Related references

Note: Only part of the references are listed.
Article Engineering, Industrial

Level of exoskeleton support influences shoulder elevation, external rotation and forearm pronation during simulated work tasks in females

Tasha C. McFarland et al.

Summary: This study found that using upper limb exoskeletons under different support conditions modestly affected some joint movements, while also reducing perceived exertion and discomfort, but did not have an impact on task duration.

APPLIED ERGONOMICS (2022)

Review Engineering, Industrial

Benchmarking occupational exoskeletons: An evidence mapping systematic review

Sander De Bock et al.

Summary: The study identified 139 research studies investigating the effects of occupational exoskeletons on users, finding that device validation was mainly conducted through controlled tasks and collecting muscle activity and biomechanical data. As the concept of exoskeletons evolves, assessment tasks become more applied and experimental designs more representative, but also involve a trade-off between experimental control and user experience data.

APPLIED ERGONOMICS (2022)

Article Computer Science, Information Systems

The Effect of an Active Upper-Limb Exoskeleton on Metabolic Parameters and Muscle Activity During a Repetitive Industrial Task

Andrea Blanco et al.

Summary: This paper presents an experimental evaluation of an active upper-limb exoskeleton, which shows that the device can reduce cardiorespiratory responses and muscular activity, potentially useful for reducing muscular strain and fatigue in repetitive overhead tasks.

IEEE ACCESS (2022)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Exoskeletons for workers: A case series study in an enclosures production line

Ilaria Pacifico et al.

Summary: This case-series study investigated the effects of a passive shoulder support exoskeleton on experienced workers. Results showed that the use of the exoskeleton reduced shoulder muscular activity and perceived effort.

APPLIED ERGONOMICS (2022)

Article Engineering, Industrial

A physiological and biomechanical investigation of three passive upper-extremity exoskeletons during simulated overhead work

Eric B. Weston et al.

Summary: The study evaluated three passive upper-extremity exoskeletons compared to a control condition in a simulated occupational task. Though there was a significant reduction in tissue oxygenation with one exoskeleton, no increase in spinal loading or subjective discomfort was observed with any exoskeleton. The experimental task did not induce high levels of fatigue, and results may differ for tasks with greater demand on the shoulders.

ERGONOMICS (2022)

Article

Co-Simulationsmodell zur nutzerzentrierten Entwicklung von Unterstützungssystemen

Zhejun Yao et al.

ZWF Zeitschrift fuer Wirtschaftlichen Fabrikbetrieb (2021)

Article Engineering, Industrial

The effectivity of a passive arm support exoskeleton in reducing muscle activation and perceived exertion during plastering activities

Aijse Willem de Vries et al.

Summary: The study compared the effects of using arm-support exoskeletons and not using exoskeletons in plastering work, showing that muscle activity and perceived exertion were reduced when using the exoskeleton.

ERGONOMICS (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Evaluation of a Passive Upper-Limb Exoskeleton Applied to Assist Farming Activities in Fruit Orchards

Hsien-Min Wang et al.

Summary: This study introduced a passive upper-limb exoskeleton (PULE) with a gas spring and four-bar mechanism to aid orchard farming activities, reducing physical exertion and the risk of WMSD. Electromyography measurements showed that PULE decreased muscle tension and activity during fruit thinning and pesticide spraying, without affecting flexibility.

APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL (2021)

Article Medicine, General & Internal

The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews

Matthew J. Page et al.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS (2021)

Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Effects of an arm-support exoskeleton on perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort: An 18-month field study in automotive assembly

Sunwook Kim et al.

Summary: The study found that there was no significant difference in perceived work intensity and musculoskeletal discomfort scores between the EXO group and the control group in automotive manufacturing facilities. However, in some facilities, neck and shoulder MSD scores in the EXO group decreased over time, while wrist MSD scores remained unchanged and increased in the control group. Upper arm and low back MSD scores were similar between the experimental groups.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE (2021)

Article Physiology

Evaluation of two upper-limb exoskeletons during overhead work: influence of exoskeleton design and load on muscular adaptations and balance regulation

K. Desbrosses et al.

Summary: The study investigated the effects of EXOUL design and load on upper-limb and postural muscles activity, as well as on balance control during overhead works. Both passive EXOUL reduced shoulder flexor muscle activity and activity of shoulder and wrist extensor muscles compared to working without equipment. The study also found that wearing EXOUL induced changes in balance regulation depending on exoskeleton design and load condition.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Soft pneumatic elbow exoskeleton reduces the muscle activity, metabolic cost and fatigue during holding and carrying of loads

John Nassour et al.

Summary: The exoskeleton Carry assists the elbow in load holding and carrying with soft human-machine interface and pneumatic actuation, leading to reductions in muscle activity, net metabolic rate, and fatigue, demonstrating significant benefits.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

Article Engineering, Biomedical

Passive Shoulder Exoskeletons: More Effective in the Lab Than in the Field?

Sander De Bock et al.

Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of two passive shoulder exoskeletons in both laboratory and field settings. Results showed that the exoskeletons reduced upper trapezius activity and heart rate in isolated tasks, but their effects were limited in real-world situations. Improvement in exoskeleton interface for better comfort and usability is needed to enhance their practical application.

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING (2021)

Article Engineering, Biomedical

Objective and Subjective Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Overhead Work

Pauline Maurice et al.

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING (2020)

Article Automation & Control Systems

An Experimental Evaluation of the Proto-MATE: A Novel Ergonomic Upper-Limb Exoskeleton to Reduce Workers' Physical Strain

Ilaria Pacifico et al.

IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE (2020)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Ergonomics assessment of passive upper-limb exoskeletons in an automotive assembly plant

Sofia Iranzo et al.

APPLIED ERGONOMICS (2020)

Article Rehabilitation

Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Semi-Passive Upper-Limb Exoskeleton for Workers With Motorized Tuning of Assistance

Lorenzo Grazi et al.

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING (2020)

Proceedings Paper Automation & Control Systems

Advantages of the Incorporation of an Active Upper-Limb Exoskeleton in Industrial Tasks

Andrea Blanco et al.

FOURTH IBERIAN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE: ADVANCES IN ROBOTICS, ROBOT 2019, VOL 2 (2020)

Article Environmental Sciences

Biomechanical and Metabolic Effectiveness of an Industrial Exoskeleton for Overhead Work

Thomas Schmalz et al.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH (2019)

Article Ergonomics

A Field Evaluation of Arm-Support Exoskeletons for Overhead Work Applications in Automotive Assembly

Marty Smets

IISE TRANSACTIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS & HUMAN FACTORS (2019)

Article Ergonomics

Subjective Evaluation of a Passive Industrial Exoskeleton for Lower-back Support: A Field Study in the Automotive Sector

Ralph Hensel et al.

IISE TRANSACTIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS & HUMAN FACTORS (2019)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Physiological consequences of using an upper limb exoskeleton during manual handling tasks

Jean Theurel et al.

APPLIED ERGONOMICS (2018)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Evaluation of a passive exoskeleton for static upper limb activities

Kirsten Huysamen et al.

APPLIED ERGONOMICS (2018)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Exoskeletons - a review of industrial applications

Robert Bogue

INDUSTRIAL ROBOT-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBOTICS RESEARCH AND APPLICATION (2018)

Article Robotics

Evaluation of a Novel Active Exoskeleton for Tasks at or Above Head Level

Bernward M. Otten et al.

IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS (2018)

Proceedings Paper Engineering, Industrial

Experimental study of the physical impact of a passive exoskeleton on manual sanding operations

Aurelie Moyon et al.

28TH CIRP DESIGN CONFERENCE 2018 (2018)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Exoskeletons for industrial application and their potential effects on physical work load

Michiel P. de Looze et al.

ERGONOMICS (2016)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Robotic exoskeletons: a review of recent progress

Robert Bogue

INDUSTRIAL ROBOT-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL (2015)

Article Rheumatology

Burden of disability due to musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders

Lyn March et al.

BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH IN CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY (2014)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Ergonomic evaluation of a wearable assistive device for overhead work

Ehsan Rashedi et al.

ERGONOMICS (2014)

Article Engineering, Industrial

Ergonomic contribution of ABLE exoskeleton in automotive industry

Nahema Sylla et al.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS (2014)

Review Medicine, General & Internal

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement

David Moher et al.

PLOS MEDICINE (2009)