Measurement properties of biomechanical risk assessment instruments in workers and proposal for an ergonomic analysis

• Grant number: 23/07258-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Marisa de Cássia Registro Fonseca
• Grantee: Leonardo Dutra de Salvo Mauad
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/04188-9 - Comparison of ergonomic risks between conventional and remote ultrasound methods, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Work-related disorders (WMSDs) most often involve the upper limbs and lumbar spine. Ergonomic work analysis uses checklists and questionnaires to classify risk factors and thus propose preventive measures. Objective: Analyze the validity and reliability of the HARM-Br; carry out a systematic review and conduct an E-survey to find out which are the validated ergonomic tools most used by health professionals and ergonomists in Brazil and South America; and develop a software to conduct ergonomic assessments in a standardized way. Methods: Images of the most critical tasks will be collected from workers at a university hospital to analyze reliability and construct validity. A systematic review will also be conducted of observational methods for measuring biomechanical risks, associated with self-report questionnaires and performance tests. An E-Survey based on the CHERRY standards will be developed and applied. The product of the systematic review and the E-survey will be used to propose and develop open-access software for ergonomic risk assessment. Inter- and intra-examiner reliability will be analyzed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and construct validity using Pearson's or Spearman's coefficient, p<0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI). The REDCap platform will be used to store the data for future analysis using Rayyan and Rstudio. (AU)