Project Summaries
Currently Funded
Radiological Technician Ergonomic Intervention
Funding Source: National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health
Host Site: DUMC and Tamara James
As the body habitius of the patients increase with increased incidence of obesity, the force and postural requirements to complete ultrasounds scans changes. The goal of this project is to determine if the implementation of engineering interventions reduces workers exposure to physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the medically-related occupation of radioloical techniologist. An intervention will be installed or provided for at least 6 workers (preferably 8) performing the same (or highly similar work tasks). There should also be a comparison group of at least 6 workers (preferably 8) who do the same work and would not be provided with the intervention. Evaluation of physical risk factors will be performed before and after the intervention is installed for both groups. The time between the pre- and post-evaluation should be long enough for the workers to get accustomed to the intervention and to determine the worker’s and manager’s acceptance, approximately three to six months.
Durable Goods Manufacturing Ergonomics Intervention
Funding Source: National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health
Host Site: CommScope and Scott Waddell
The goal of this project is to determine if the implementation of engineering interventions reduces workers exposure to physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the durable goods manufacturing sector. An intervention will be installed or provided for 10 performing the same (or highly similar work tasks). There should also be a comparison group of 10 who do the same work and would not be provided with the intervention. Evaluation of physical risk factors will be performed before and after the intervention is installed for both groups. The time between the pre- and post-evaluation should be long enough for the workers to get accustomed to the intervention and to determine the worker’s and manager’s acceptance, approximately three to six months.
NIDRR Aquarium Project
Funding Source: RAF (federal flow through from NIDRR)
Host Site: NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
The Center for Universal Design will be involved in the research evaluation activities of tactile models of marine creatures that are created by the project. With a special focus on people who experience chronic blindness and low vision, our input will also assure that the strategies and best practices will be usable by people who have newly acquired vision loss, i.e., those who have not yet acquired the ADL coping strategies. A universal approach will assure the effective and competent use by the widest range of people possible. Our approach will be informed by both the ergonomic and human factors aspects of both the principles of universal design and their guidelines. Furthermore, the Center will use newly constructed laboratory facilities and equipment for human subjects testing. A Center representative will attend the initial project three-day conference, periodic staff meetings, and will provide quarterly progress reports as directed. Test subjects will be recruited from the adult blind and low vision population in Raleigh and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind for children (K-12).
Novel Insulated Cooler Product Assessment
Funding Source: California Innovations
Assessment Location: RED Lab
At the request of California Innovations, Dr. Sharon Joines at NC State University - Research in the Ergonomics and Design Lab will be assessing nine portable insulated coolers. The evaluation will assess key aspects of the coolers during use. The participants will use the coolers to carry loads while walking over flat surfaces and up and down stairs. Each participant will use a cooler for approximately 20 minutes. Four types of data will be collected to quantify effort required during use to assess the cooler designs: muscle activity, pressure distribution, discomfort surveys, and subjective assessments of product usability. The 12 participants will range in age from 20-50 years old and will include men and women.
Proposal in Review
Designing Musculoskeletal Disorder Interventions for Imaging Technologist (joint with OSU)
Funding Source: National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (R03)
The goal of this project is to identify risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and develop interventions/solutions for radiology professionals, particularly radiologic technologists (sonographers, radiographers, and mammographers). The project will include problem identification, ideation, prototype development and testing. This study is expanding intervention research for sonographers conducted at a large medical center in the southeastern US by Dr. Sharon Joines (one of the investigators on the current proposal).
Proposal under Development
SERCA: Aging and Fatigue Development During Static Work
Funding Source: National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (K01)
Research supporting occupational ergonomics principles and concepts has often been conducted with students or workers in the traditional age range of 20-50 and in some cases limiting subjects to a young or middle age bracket to avoid the confounding effects of age. However, a major concern in many industrial countries is the aging of the general population, and as a consequence, aging of the workforce population. The average age of the U.S. working population is increasing as the cohort known as the ?baby boom? generation (the 75 million people born in the U.S. between 1946 and 1964) ages, and laws push back the age at which workers are eligible to receive retirement benefits. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to study and understand the work-related capabilities and limitations of people in their 50?s, 60?s, and 70?s, so that work can be designed in a way that promotes the health, well-being, and productivity of this important and growing segment of the workforce. The specific aim of this proposed research project is to identify age related differences in fatigue development as a result of a moderate force, static exertion and in an initial recovery period. Metrics for fatigue evaluation include time and frequency domain measures derived from muscle (EMG) activity, changes in force during maximum voluntary exertions, and subjective reports of discomfort. The broad, long-term objectives of this research are to quantify the difference in ability of the older individuals to meet physical task demands and the effect of age on work-styles. This research has two potential long-term target audiences and purposes. The first purpose is to motivate investigators to mirror the diversity in age of the workforce in their sample populations by identifying age-related physiological changes of anatomical structures that are recruited to perform work. The second purpose is to educate ergonomists and engineers about the age related differences in physical capabilities and work-styles.
NCSU/Self Funded and Student Work
Research Review for Principles of Universal Design
Funding Source: Center for Universal Design
Research supporting ergonomics principles and concepts supporting the seven principles of Universal Design. Develop summary of relevant literature to expound upon principles to provide greater design guidance. This review will support the development of a study focused on testing operational characteristics of one or more of the principle of universal design.
Lab based testing of radiology tech interventions (breast support, panus support, and probe covers)
Funding Source: Ergonomics Center
Research supporting NIOSH funded project to quantify the change in biomechanical loads as a result of using ergonomic interventions. The scanning scenarios will address the biomechanical loading implications for normal and obese patients.
Development and testing of an aging simulation suit for the upper extremity
Funding Source: Center for Universal Design
A wearable suit will be designed and constructed to simulate an older person’s experience (for a young designer) while using a product. The design is intended to address changes in strength, tactile sensitivity, and range of motion. The performance of the suit will be assessed in the RED Lab by comparing older individuals’ experience while using and product with a younger person’s experience with wearing the suit and using the product. Dependent measures will include a mix of subjective and objective measures such as perceived exertion, performance indicators, and muscle activity.
Development and testing of an obesity simulation suit for the torso and upper extremity
Funding Source: Center for Universal Design
A wearable suit will be designed and constructed to simulate an obese person’s experience (for a designer with a normal body Mass index) while using a performing daily activities. The design is intended to increase an individual’s weight by a fixed amount or by a percentage of their body weight. The additional weight will distribute the weight to the torso and extremities. The suit will also effectively alter range of motion and functional anthropometry by increasing torso girth and other body contours. The performance of the suit will be based on open ended, non-structured subjective assessments, review of durability, weak links, and ease of use by instructors who may use the suit in experiential learning environments.
Student Work/Projects
Mobility Design Test Percy Hooper Sarah Pickford
A small group of students and faculty from the North Carolina Sate University College of Design are preparing a presentation of research concerning wheelchairs and their users. The presentation works to identify some of the difficulties wheelchair users must overcome on a daily basis.
Thesis and Final Projects
Student Name / Degree / Title / Graduated / Role1. Tyler Gibson / MID / Assessment of design method for novice designers focusing on human factors, storage and transport capabilities in highly polarized products / Chair
2. Kelly Myers / MID / Ergonomic gyn exam table design / Member
3. Glennwood Morris / MID / Furniture Suite / Member
4. KristenMeador / MS IE / Ultrasound grip assessment / Co-Chair
5. Allison Anderson / MS IE / Learning curve development for alternative keyboard designs / Member
6. Leigh McClure / MS IE / Effect of warm-up and time of day on lower extremity posture and kinematics during lifting / Member