Introducing a Passive Shoulder Exoskeleton in a Production Plant: A Longitudinal Observation of Its Effects on Workers

Abstract

Occupational exoskeletons have the potential to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Their widespread adoption should be promoted by investigating their long-term innocuity, sustained effectiveness, and practicability. This article presents a six-months longitudinal study exploring effects of an arm support exoskeleton (ASE) on six male workers, examining potential side effects, ASE's effectiveness, and its integration into daily work practices. Monthly clinical visits were scheduled to monitor workers’ health. Effectiveness, usability and acceptance metrics were collected at the beginning of the study and after six months. No side effects were found in clinical metrics during the study. Significant reductions, consistent overtime, were observed in shoulder muscle activity (up to 30%) and in effort perception-related metrics (up to 2.4 out of 10 points). Usage time settled around 10% of the monthly work-shift and gradually decreased possibly due to external factors (e.g., social, motivational, and seasonal factors) beyond researchers' control. Results encourage the continuation of similar investigations to strengthen these findings and promote the use of occupational exoskeletons.