Is the reproducibility of observational methods RULA, QEC, REBA, and Strain Index influenced by the experience and training of the evaluator?

• Grant number: 21/05192-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2021
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Rosimeire Simprini Padula
• Grantee: Lyssa Sandy Medeiros Rodrigues Cirino
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Extensão. Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Observational methods are used by professionals and researchers to evaluate biomechanical exposure. With this study, we hope to evaluate the influence of the rater's experience and training on the results of the analyses. Objectives: To evaluate whether the reproducibility of the QEC, REBA, RULA, and Strain Index methods is influenced by the rater's experience and whether there is an improvement in the quality of these measurement properties through training. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of measurement properties, using 50 video tasks, which will be analyzed by 10 raters with different professional backgrounds. In the first moment, the raters will apply the observational methods QEC, REBA, RULA, and Strain Index without any kind of training (test and retest) and afterward, the raters will receive modular training with a total of 8 hours and will apply the methods again. Expected results: At the end of the project it is expected to identify if there is a difference in the reproducibility of the methods, considering the experience of the evaluators, and how much the difference in the experience of the evaluator interferes in the analyses. And to understand how much the training in the use of the methods adds knowledge to the assessors and interferes in the results of reproducibility of the QEC, REBA, RULA, and Strain Index methods. (AU)